WorkTape
149 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsBrutally honest, hilarious, and not afraid to keep it real, WorkTape is THE ULTIMATE music podcast for artists and nerds (made BY artists AND nerds)! Produced by Isaac Grover and co-hosted by Mitchell Palmer, join them and the rest of the JWYL team weekly as they discuss both the freshest and classic sounds, teach you valuable songwriting techniques, review guests, and more! From alternative to pop, we cover all things music in the most unorthodox ways. This is the perfect show to nerd out on if you’re an artist creating music for the world to hear, or if you just love listening to music, period! Subscribe to WorkTape to get new episodes every week! Dare to hear music from a completely different perspective!
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Episodes
#91 - An Introduction to Brian Eno's Production (Prolific Producers)
May 05, 2023 12:00 - 13 minutes - 31.6 MBTake a listen as we take a dive into the legendary producer of most (but not all) things ambient, Brian Eno, and as we explore his influence on Talking Heads' groundbreaking album "Remain in Light" and his contributions to the evolution of ambient, electronic, and rock music. Discover how Eno's distinct production style helped shape various genres, and the lasting impact of his work with other classic bands, such as U2. Episode Highlights: How has Brian Eno's production style influenced ro...
#90 - The (Second) Rickiest of the Ricks - Rick Rubin (Prolific Producers)
April 28, 2023 12:00 - 20 minutes - 46.4 MBIn this episode, we explore Rick Rubin's influence on hip-hop and rock, his controversial production methods, and his work with artists like Linkin Park and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Episode Highlights: How did Rick Rubin contribute to both the hip-hop and rock music scenes throughout his career? What controversies surround Rick Rubin's production techniques and his presence in the studio? How did the loudness wars in the late nineties impact music production and album quality? Are covers ...
#89 - Iconic 90s Rock Producers of Alternative: Butch Vig & Steve Albini (Prolific Producers)
April 21, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 53.8 MBDive deep into the world of alternative rock as we analyze Butch Vig's influential production style, compare iconic albums like Siamese Dream and Nevermind, and discuss the evolution and impact of bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day in this insightful episode for passionate music fans. Episode Highlights: Can a master only as good as the mix? When comparing Siamese Dream and Nevermind, what are the key differences in their impacts on alternative rock? How did Steve Albini and Butc...
#88 - Subsidiary Labels & More on Sample Clearance
April 14, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 55.5 MBIn this episode, we discuss various aspects of the music industry, including sample clearance, subsidiary labels, artist recognition, and the impact of Beats by Dre. Episode Highlights: What led to P Diddy needing to pay Sting $2k a day? What are the pros and cons of subsidiary labels compared to major labels? How has Clyde Stubblefield become under-appreciated as an artist, and do drummers face disadvantages in songwriting and copyright? How did Beats by Dre introduce people to higher-...
#87 - Dr. Dre: A Quick Dive Into His Impact on Hip-Hop and Major Music Production
April 07, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 56.2 MBIn this episode, we focus on the legendary Dr. Dre, his influence on hip hop production, and the artists he has discovered and shaped. Episode highlights: How has Dr. Dre shaped West Coast hip-hop and music production as a whole? What sets Dr. Dre apart as a producer and talent discoverer? How do Eminem, Jack Harlow, and Mac Miller compare in terms of success and acceptance? How did Dre's perfectionist approach to music production contribute to his success? How did Dre's work with NWA ...
#86 - Quincy Jones' Impact: Music Production, Michael Jackson, and Modern Influences
March 31, 2023 12:00 - 29 minutes - 67.5 MBIn this episode, we discuss Quincy Jones' unique approach to music production, his collaborations with Michael Jackson, and his influence on contemporary artists like Drake and Kanye West. Episode Highlights: What sets Quincy Jones apart from other music producers? How did Quincy Jones maintain integrity in his sound while staying relevant? How has Quincy Jones' style influenced contemporary music? Can "Nevermind" be considered overproduced? How has Zimmer's horn formula affected film ...
#85 - Masters of 80s Dance and R&B Production: Nile Rodgers
March 24, 2023 12:00 - 27 minutes - 63.7 MBWhat has made Nile Rodgers such a household name pop music? In this episode, we explore the powerful impact of Nile Rodgers on 80s dance and R&B music, and his work with various artists and bands. Episode Highlights: How did Nile Rodgers (and Quincy Jones) revolutionize 80s dance and R&B production? What made Nile's work with Chic and various other artists and bands so groundbreaking?? Why is Chic often overlooked in music history, and what was their lasting impact? What set Nile Rodger...
#84 - J Dilla: Godfather of Lo-Fi Beatmaking and Pioneer of Black Music Production
March 17, 2023 12:00 - 26 minutes - 61 MBWhat made J Dilla a trailblazing producer? In this episode, we pay homage to his life and work, exploring his significance in lo-fi beatmaking and black music production. We also discuss how his style differed from the harder hitting beats of his east coast contemporaries. Important questions: How did J Dilla become a pioneer in lo-fi beatmaking? What made J Dilla's production style unique, and how did he use the MPC to create complex, textured beats with a laid-back, groovy feel? How did...
#83 - Modern Music Production: The Rise of Sample Packs and the Hybrid Studio
March 10, 2023 12:00 - 37 minutes - 84.8 MBWhat does the future of music production hold? In this episode, we explore the latest trends and techniques, including the convenience and affordability of sample packs and the rise of hybrid studios. We also delve into the ongoing debate about the differences between beat makers and producers, the evolution of crate digging, and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S). Important questions: How have sample packs revolutionized music production...
#82 - Sampling: Originality & Copyright
March 03, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 57.1 MBDid hip-hop truly start due to a city-wide electricity blackout? How has sampling both been and become problematic for artists? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Why was the Mellotron created? Have the communities of rock, jazz, and hip-hop held back their respective genres due to dated thinking? What was The New York City Blackout of 1977? How are major artists having problems with sample clearance?
#81 - Virtual Bands and Artists
February 24, 2023 12:00 - 29 minutes - 66.4 MBWhat things have made Gorillaz a successful virtual band? Will AI replace real artists and bands? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Were Oasis better-suited to songwriting than Blur? Was Crazy Frog a failed experiment? Does BTS' sound lack variety? Why was "Alvin and the Chipmunks" such an innovation?
#80 - Holograms and Artificial Intelligence
February 17, 2023 12:00 - 30 minutes - 69.6 MBWhat did Prince have to say about artists generated by hologram? What was the FN Meka controversy? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Why was there a mixed reception for the Tupac hologram? Was the Whitney Houston hologram in poor taste? Are documentaries trustworthy? Was Michael Jackson more deeply integrated into the industrial "machine" than Prince?
#79 - Music and the Rise of Artificial Intelligence
February 10, 2023 12:00 - 26 minutes - 59.7 MBWill Chat GPT change the way that we make music? Has AI generation of deceased artists gotten too out of hand? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Is AI generation of deceased artists ethical? How are people using Chat GPT for music? Is Chat GPT a threat to songwriters and lyricists? Will future generations become too dependent on AI tools for music and song creation?
#78 - Posthumous Releases Pt. 2: Re-Released Re-Releases
February 03, 2023 12:00 - 34 minutes - 79.8 MBHas there been any time when a re-release wasn't lazy or a cash grab? Was the "Blurred Lines" lawsuit a justifiable one? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: How have re-releases for Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" been handled? Have posthumous releases for J Dilla been handled more respectfully than for most other artists? Are The Eagles best as a singles band, rather than an album band? Did 80s hair metal, glam, and arena rock bands sound better during their 7...
#77 - Posthumous Releases Revisited
January 27, 2023 12:00 - 21 minutes - 48.4 MBAre posthumous releases always a cash grab? What have been some respectful and tasteful posthumous releases? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: What is Anderson .Paak's take on posthumous releases regarding himself? Is Lauryn Hill's feature on "Turn Your Lights Down Low" one of the more fitting posthumous releases in music? Are "greatest hits" releases the best way to gauge artists and bands? Did Zayn Malik do justice for Jimi Hendrix's "Angel"?
#76 - Untimely Deaths in Popular Music: 2022 in Retrospect (Pt. 2)
January 20, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 43.2 MBWhat rock artists did we lose in 2022? What are some of accolades of Meatloaf? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: How important was Christine McVie to Fleetwood Mac's sound? How influential is Meatloaf's "Bat out of Hell"? Has Jerry Lee Lewis' legacy been tainted by controversy?
#75 - Untimely Deaths in Popular Music: 2022 in Retrospect (Pt. 1)
January 13, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 42.2 MBWhat rap artists did we lose in 2022? How important was Offset to Migos' sound? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Will Foo Fighters be moving forward as a band without Taylor Hawkins? What happened to Offset from Migos? Did Coolio have more hits than "Gangsta's Paradise"?
#74 - Master of Tickets: The Ticket Master Disaster
January 06, 2023 12:00 - 25 minutes - 58.9 MBIs Ticketmaster on the verge of being replaced by another competitor? Have clout chasing and FOMO made live events out to become overrated? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: How has Top Dawg Entertainment made SZA's ? How have ticket resale and dynamic pricing turned purchasing tickets into a bidding war? Are concert tickets increasingly becoming overpriced? Are artist exhibitions borderline creepy?
#73 - Paranews Pt 3: The Morning After "After Laughter"
December 30, 2022 12:00 - 34 minutes - 78.9 MBWas "After Laughter" "authentic" to Paramore? Has mainstream rock gotten lazy? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Has mainstream modern rock become more female-fronted? Is Arctic Monkeys' "AM" overrated? Has mainstream hip-hop eclipsed mainstream rock in terms of originality and innovation? Is the strongest song for an upcoming project always the lead single? Does the success of an artist or band often come down to who’s producing their project?
#72 - Paranews Pt. 2: "No Doubt" About Hayley Williams
December 23, 2022 12:00 - 25 minutes - 58.5 MBWhat are some striking parallels between the careers of Hayley Williams and Christina Aguilera? Can the quality of a band sometimes be determined by the solo careers of the frontmen and frontwomen? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Is Olivia Rodrigo's "Good for U" really all that similar to Paramore's "Misery Business"? How has The Weeknd managed to stay current while also "throwing back"? How did most Paramore fans take Hayley's solo branching out into "poppi...
#71 - Paranews Pt. 1: "This Is Why" and "The News" Takeaways
December 16, 2022 12:00 - 22 minutes - 50.7 MBWhat takeaways are there for Paramore's "This Is Why" and "The News"? Are Paramore returning to their roots? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: How important is Zac Farro to Paramore's sound? Do Paramore's songs have more substance than their mid/late 00s contemporaries' songs? Was Coldplay's "Ghost Stories" "overhated"? What sets Hayley Williams apart from comparable frontmen/frontwomen?
#70 - The 12s (10th Anniversary LPs)
December 09, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 145 MBWhat albums turn 10 in 2022? What are some of 2012's best albums? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: How did Frank Ocean get his start in the music business? How was "Swimming Pools" countercultural? Was One Direction's career significantly shorter-lived than most other successful "boy bands"? Were American Authors simply an Imagine Dragons rip-off? Was Bastille the UK’s answer to US' Imagine Dragons? Did Brandon Flowers' solo music turn out to become better...
#69 - The 02s (20th Anniversary LPs)
December 02, 2022 12:00 - 42 minutes - 98 MBWhat albums turn 20 in 2022? What are some of 2002's best albums? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Does "Rated R" hold a candle to "Songs for the Deaf"? Was there more of a "return to form" for rock in the 00s? What made "One by One" such a unique album for Foo Fighters? What made Coldplay's "Rush of Blood" an ultimate classic? How did Carlos Dengler's departure affect Interpol's sound? Is "Songs About Jane" Maroon 5's magnum opus?
#68 - The 92s (30th Anniversary LPs)
November 25, 2022 12:00 - 43 minutes - 99 MBWhat albums turn 30 in 2022? What are some of 1992's best albums? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Did anyone else from N.W.A. get the same success as Dre and Ice Cube? Did Arrested Development ever surpass "3 Years"? How did Sade end up setting the stage for artists like Drake and The Weeknd? What was hip-hop's effect on alternative music in the 90s? What made Alice In Chains' "Rooster" such a standout song? Is Billy Corgan more uniquely pretentious than ...
#67 - The 82s (40th Anniversary LPs)
November 18, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 107 MBWhat albums turn 40 in 2022? What are some of 1982's best albums? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Did Paul McCartney "out-sing" Michael Jackson in "The Girl Is Mine"? Who did the final mix for Nirvana's "Nevermind"? What makes Daniel Fagan's "I.G.Y." ironically titled? How important was "Hello, I Must Be Going!" for Phil Collin's career? How did The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" kill some artist's careers? What made "Cut the Crap" clash with Clas...
#66 - The 72s (50th Anniversary LPs)
November 11, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 73.1 MBWhat albums turn 50 in 2022? What are some of 1972's best albums? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Was Stevie Wonder's "Music of My Mind" overshadowed by "Talking Book"? Did Steely Dan's "Can't Buy a Thrill" set the foundation for "yacht rock"? Was the "K. West" sign on the cover of "Ziggy Stardust" David Bowie's allusion to Kanye West? Did Toploader do "Dancing in the Moonlight" better than King Harvest?
#65 - How Do You Stay Relevant for a Long Time?
November 04, 2022 12:00 - 11 minutes - 25.4 MBCan David Bowie pull off every style? Have Elton John's collaborations been the most strategic compared to his peers'? This is the main topic that we go over in this episode: How do "classic" artists manage to stay relevant in the present era?
#64 - It’s JUST a Modern Mix
October 28, 2022 12:00 - 15 minutes - 34.5 MBAt what point does music stop being authentic? Is "Christian" music less original than "non-Christian" music? How has Lecrae alienated his audience(s)? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Is "Christian" music less inventive than "secular" music? Is artist creation possible ex nihilo, or will ideas always need to be pulled from ones already pre-existing?
#64 - It’s "JUST" a Modern Mix
October 28, 2022 12:00 - 15 minutes - 34.5 MBAt what point does music stop being authentic? Is "Christian" music less original than "non-Christian" music? How has Lecrae alienated his audience(s)? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Is "Christian" music less inventive than "secular" music? Is artist creation possible ex nihilo, or will ideas always need to be pulled from ones already pre-existing?
#63 - Disco: Where Did "Dis Go"?
October 21, 2022 12:00 - 18 minutes - 41.8 MBIs 70s disco superior to every other era of disco? Did disco become more of an element, and less of a genre over time? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Has country in the modern era maintained its blue roots? Do some people have the "it factor", while others may not? Has disco always been formulaic?
#62 - Disco Demolition
October 14, 2022 12:00 - 15 minutes - 34.6 MBDid disco die completely? Is the synthwave aesthetic overdone? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Has disco always been hit-focused? Does disco still exist today?
#61 - One Chip Forward, Two Chips Back
October 07, 2022 12:00 - 10 minutes - 24.9 MBWhat's one of the Apple Airpod Pro 2's best features? What is the "Amen Break"? This is the main topic that we go over in this episode: Does Apple stretch out their product evolution too long?
#60 - Bit by Boring Bit
September 30, 2022 12:00 - 12 minutes - 29.7 MBIs 128kbps still more than sufficient for casual listening? Is bluetooth too limited? Here is the main topic that we go over in this episode: Is lossless audio all that it's hyped up to be?
#59 - Keeping It PC
September 23, 2022 12:00 - 12 minutes - 28.2 MBCan PC producers set their RGB color to monitor their computers' temperature? What computer specs do producers need to prioritize for production? Here is the main topic that we go over in this episode: What is Kevin's computer of choice?
#58 - Sounding Lively
September 16, 2022 12:00 - 9 minutes - 20.7 MBAre live sound and studio sound engineered the same way? Is ear training essential for sound engineers? Here is the main topic that we go over in this episode: How did Kevin get his start in live sound?
#57 - Stop Wearing the Nirvana Shirts
September 09, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 56.1 MBIs rock what it used to be? Is it okay to wear shirts of bands/artists you don't listen to? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Does "genreless" music exist? Has rock become oversimplified over time? Is "pop" a more vast "landscape" than "rock"? Are most traditional rock fans "out-of-touch" with what rock is today?
#56 - Guitar Zeroes (Guitar Heroes Pt. 2)
September 02, 2022 12:00 - 11 minutes - 25.9 MBWere Guns 'N' Roses the bridge between hair metal and grunge? Is Slash the last true "Guitar Hero" to date? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Are Guns 'N' Roses hair metal?
#55 - Late Listens Pt. 1
August 26, 2022 12:00 - 7 minutes - 17.9 MBWho is Brandon Lake? Is the majority of 80s music production over-to-the-top? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: What have we been listening to lately?
#54 - Melismas Revisited
August 19, 2022 12:00 - 14 minutes - 32.9 MBWhat is the proper way to execute a melisma? Have singers butchered "The National Anthem"? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: What are some tips for singing a melisma properly? Why are Africans (the) best at singing melismas?
#53 - Unplugged, Not Drugs (Playing It Forward Pt. 2)
August 12, 2022 12:00 - 25 minutes - 57.3 MBDo musicians need to do drugs to make good music? Has drug use only been limited to rock and rap artists? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Why do artists feel the need to take substances? Is Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" an anti-drug song? Is "Wonderwall" a good song? Is "OK Computer" really all that great?
#52 - Juxtapositional (Playing It Forward Pt. 1)
August 05, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 55.9 MBAre The 1975 art rock? Was Elliott Smith's go-to tuning D Standard? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Who are The Sugarcubes? How old is Neil Young's "Harvest" LP? Can punk bassists use a Fender Jazz? Did grunge end up eclipsing most alternative music?
#51 - Scatchat
July 29, 2022 12:00 - 12 minutes - 27.6 MBWhat are vocables? Why is Debussy considered the "jazz guy" of the classical world? This is the main topic that we go over in this episode: Is there any correlation between scat and melismas?
#50 - Melismatic Origins
July 22, 2022 12:00 - 11 minutes - 25.7 MBIs the Halo chant one giant melisma? What is a coloratura soprano? This is the main topic that we go over in this episode: Where in popular culture are some melismas found?
#49 - Messianic Music (More on Melismas)
July 16, 2022 12:00 - 19 minutes - 45.2 MBWhat is Messianic Music? Who is Ofra Haza? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: How did Messianic Music come about within Jewish culture? Is Messianic Music a fairly recent conception? Who are Marty Goetz and Paul Wilbur?
#48 - Running Up That Chart (I Think Ur A Contra)
July 08, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 66.2 MBHow did Kate Bush's 1985 song get such a big push 37 years later? Did mainstream music get too safe toward the end of the 90s? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Was Kate Bush "her own" era's "Billie Eilish"? Is Billie Eilish's popularity comparable to that of Nirvana's? Did trip hop experience a proper resurgence in the 2010s? What makes MGMT's "Electric Feel" such a timeless track?
#47 - Nay for Ye
July 01, 2022 12:00 - 12 minutes - 29.1 MBWas Kanye's Stem Player a fair marketing move to/for fans? How do the cult followings of Kanye and Tom Cruise's compare with each other? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Is underproduction excusable for big artists, and can they get away with it?
#46 - I'm Your Biggest Fanatic
June 24, 2022 12:00 - 15 minutes - 36.3 MBHow loyal can the fans of cult followings be? Are there some artists who just "can't do wrong"? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Why did Taylor re-record "Red"? Why wasn't "Donda 2" eligible for Billboard Charts?
#45 - Taylor Swift's "National" Acclaim (Mitch's Return)
June 17, 2022 12:00 - 14 minutes - 32.5 MBWhy did Mitch choose mahogany as his main guitar tonewood? Has Taylor surpassed Martin in relevance? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: What has Mitch been up to all of this time? Who are some artists/bands who use Taylor and/or Martin?
#44 - Copy and Paste (Jeff's Songwriting Pt. 3)
June 10, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes - 76.8 MBIs being 100% "your own" and sound a myth? Does micromanagement "make" the band? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Is Skrillex a metalhead? Do artists and artists need to compromise their songwriting in order to be (more) marketable? Is it "The Cure" without Robert Smith? Who are some artists and/or bands who have been great at balancing marketable songwriting with uniqueness and creativity. Who is the "Gordon Ramsey" of producers?
#43 - Music Theory: Helpful or Hindering? (Jeff's Songwriting Pt. 2)
June 03, 2022 12:00 - 19 minutes - 44.1 MBDoes music theory always help with songwriting, or can it sometimes become a hindrance to the process? Is good songwriting essentially a matter of theory, luck, or talent? Here are some of the topics that we go over in this episode: Is a lot of good songwriting just comprised of clever "illusion" and proper "compensation"? Who is Nigel Godrich and who has he produced? What is the reason why people like hit songs, despite their catchiness and tendency to be annoying?