We’ve been having a look back through the Tape Notes archive to bring back some of our favourite early episodes that you may have missed. This selection is our conversation with Rina Sawayama and producer Clarence Clarity.

EPISODE NOTES

In this episode, John catches up with Rina Sawayama and producer Clarence Clarity to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Rina’s debut album ‘Sawayama’.

Diving deep into the almost 100 track sessions, Rina and Clarence reflect on how the album took shape, from writing demos in Rina’s bedroom to spending months in an LA studio. We hear the pair’s philosophies on creativity and the hustle of making it in the world of music, along with the secrets in crafting their fusion of R&B, noughties pop and nu-metal.

Listen to find out why Rina tries includes at least 10 hooks in each song, how Clarence tried to match a trap beat to Rina’s mum’s Beethoven performance and which member of The 1975 made a secret appearance on the record.

Tracks discussed: Dynasty, Love Me 4 Me, Snakeskin

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Listen to 'Sawayama' here.

'Sawayama' - Dirty Hit

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Ableton

Sontronics Saturn

Soundelux U99

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TAPE NOTES TEAM

John Kennedy

Will Brown

Tim Adam-Smith

Will Lyons

Nico Varanese

Guy Nicholls

Jessica Clucas

Ali Lewis