TAPE NOTES COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2026 (Patreon)

Dear Tape Notes member,

Summer is here and we're slightly melting in our London office - it's a very small space for the five of us based here! But we're still working hard to bring you your favourite music production content!

Our brand new episode, released 24th June, is with rising star and, by the time you read this, probably the UK's number 1 album, MYLES SMITH! Earlier in June John was joined by another British legend in the making, ARLO PARKS!

Escaping the sweaty office, we've been out recording with electronic pioneers and Fred Again collaborators OVERMONO! That episode will drop in August to coincide with their highly anticipated second album 'Pure Devotion'. And we've got some incredibly exciting recordings lined up for July - one of which our Long Players have already had a sneak preview of....

Once again, thank you so much for supporting us as a paid member. At a time when it's becoming harder than ever to escape the algorithm, our role as an independent creator and podcaster feels ever more important. We were struck by the people who told us in our recent audience survey that it's also becoming harder and harder to find long form, quality music journalism like Tape Notes. We care passionately about inspiring creatives and we're a tiny team of music obsessives and creatives ourselves. We couldn't bring you the podcast without your support. We never take that for granted and we always strive to bring you more.

Keep reading for Tape Notes news, upcoming episodes, the chance to win 3 months' membership of our EPP tier and our 25% off EPP offer!

BRAND NEW FULL VIDEO EPISODE: TN 184 MYLES SMITH & PETER FENN!

Sitting down with exciting new artists is an important part of what we do at Tape Notes! Myles Smith has had a meteoric rise over the past few years, from gigging at open mic nights around his home town of Luton to creating his massive global hit "Stargazing" and winning a clutch of industry awards! He and producer Peter Fenn get "into the weeds" with how the magic happened on our latest episode! Watch the full episode here!

TN: 183 ARLO PARKS & BAIRD

Arlo's story is equally inspiring, a journey from bedroom pop artist to being widely considered the voice of her generation. Her heartfelt songs about mental health and identity soundtracked the Pandemic for many and she has continued her rise. On her third album, 'Ambiguous Desire', she and producer Baird talk John through how the dancefloor and iconic club tracks influenced its sound. Watch the full episode here!

Tape Notes merch now available!

Remember: Extended Players have access to a full year's worth of video episodes, while Extended Players Premium and Long Players can access our whole archive, going back to January 2023! All the episodes we still have rights to, which is most of our catalogue, are included!

GEAR LISTS!

You told us in our recent Audience Survey that gear lists are one of your most valued benefits as a Tape Notes member. There's a detailed, downloadable gear list for every episode

with easy-to-click links that let you delve into the gear artists use. Check out the complete collection, available to all paying Patreons!

BEHIND THE SCENES!

We won't lie - recordings are busy! But we always try to capture those special moments when artists, and the Tape Notes team, let their hair down, and show you more of the locations we film in. Here's Will, our producer and editor, modelling our very own merch at the Myles Smith recording! Check out the collection!

QUESTIONS PLEASE!

As a paying member, you get to send us questions for John to ask our guests! We were overwhelmed with questions for Overmono this month! Can't wait for that episode to drop in August! If John chooses your question to ask, you'll also get a namecheck on the podcast!

Make sure your Patreon notifications are on and get your question in quickly - usually you only get a few days' notice!

AUDIENCE SURVEY - THANK YOU!

Big thanks to the nearly 400 of you who took the time to fill in our 2026 audience survey! At the moment we're taking time to read through all the responses, and we'll let you know the main findings very soon. Congratulations to Alessandro Silvera, winner of Native Instruments Komplete 26 Ultimate!

TAPE NOTES DISCORD

Our Discord is a fan-run community where you can share your musical projects, get and give feedback to others, share your set up, get gear recommendations and so much more! Big thanks to our dedicated Long Player Will Kingstone who's taken a leading role with Discord. We'd love to grow this community further. If you're not already a member, you can join below! If you'd like to help Will out, get in touch with us on Patreon!

JOIN THE TAPE NOTES DISCORD!

EXTENDED PLAYERS PREMIUM

Extended Players Premium launched last November and has proved super popular, with over 400 of you now signed up! EPP members are automatically entered in a monthly gear giveaway, there's exclusive EPP member discounts on studios and services for creatives and you get access to our entire full video archive going back to 2023! .

Want to upgrade? JOIN NOW and use the code D72A5 to get 25% off your first month's membership!

To win three months' free membership of EPP, comment on this newsletter with who you'd like to see on the show this year!

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Our episode last July with Lorde and producer Jim-E-Stack was one of our most popular episodes ever! Watch again before it's locked to EPP and Long Players only!

COMING SOON!

Overmono - August

Bonobo - Autumn

And so much more! What were our CEO Tim and cameraman Evan doing at Abbey Road Studios last week? All will be revealed!

Don't forget to comment below for the chance to win 3 months' free membership of Extended Players Premium!

Big love!

John & the Tape Notes team