Transferring Early Bebop 78 rpm Records
by Dylan Utz
Charlie Parker performs at the Three Deuces jazz club in New York City, 1947. In the mid-'40s, a new generation of musicians heralded the arrival of bebop. Here’s why some of the most...
interviews
We talk at length with record-makers about how they make records.
David Brown of Soyuz Microphones: Behind the Gear
by John Baccigaluppi
David Brown, along with his business partner Pavel Bazdyrev (aka Pasha), is the co-founder of Soyuz Microphones. In the past ten years, Soyuz has established themselves as one of the best condenser...
Not So Oblique Strategies
by Larry Crane, Garrett Haines
In 1975, Brian Eno (Tape Op #85) and multimedia artist Peter Schmidt published their first set of Oblique Strategies: Over One Hundred Worthwhile Dilemmas. These cards work as creativity resets,...
John Cale: Abstract Realism in the Studio
by Larry Crane
Photo by Madeline McManus In his 80s, John Cale is still (thankfully) releasing interesting music. He is a founding member of The Velvet Underground and a pioneer in drone music, as well as a...
Karriem Riggins: Making the Rounds
by Larry Crane
How does a skilled jazz drummer become a hip-hop producer, musical director, DJ, and film scorer? Working with Common, J Dilla, Madlib, Paul McCartney, and Diana Krall, Karriem Riggins has...
Jason Livermore: The 30 Year Plan
by Larry Crane
Photo by Kevin Kirchner The Blasting Room, a studio in Fort Collins, Colorado, has been in operation for 30 years. What began as a home base/practice room/band studio for the groups Descendents...
Yuka Honda: "Tripping in My Own Dream World"
by Ian Brennan
Photo by Sean Ono Lennon Yuka Honda has been a figure in the New York City avant-garde and indie-rock scenes for decades. Releasing her first album in 1989, she has amassed over 268 recording...
Brad Cook: No Gatekeeping
by Jacob Paul Nielsen
Brad Cook has been making and recording music since he was a kid growing up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Throughout his 20-plus year career, he's toured with people like Sharon Van Etten and produced...
Noah Lennox: Music Can Be Anything
by Geoff Stanfield
Noah Lennox and Pete Kember Photographed by Ian Witchell After Tape Op's online editor Geoff Stanfield interviewed both Noah Lennox and longtime collaborator Pete Kember [#46] for the Tape Op...
Sonic Boom: Music Can Be Anything
by Larry Crane
Noah Lennox and Pete Kember Photographed by Ian Witchell After Tape Op's online editor Geoff Stanfield interviewed both Noah Lennox and longtime collaborator Pete Kember [#46] for the Tape Op...
Jon Markson: It's a Livin' Thing
by Sam Retzer
Photo by John Forrestal If you've been keeping up with the explosion of popularity around hardcore and heavy alternative music, chances are you've heard the name Jon Markson. After a decade in...
Jon Regen & Matt Johnson: Crafting Albums Across the Ocean
by Jon Regen & Matt Johnson
When singer, songwriter and pianist Jon Regen met famed UK synth wizard and producer Matt Johnson after a Jamiroquai gig back in 2018, he had no idea the two would soon begin a fruitful partnership...