The Why We Bleep Podcast with James Blake
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
- Discussing his cyclical production process, musical roots, tricks of his live show, the weirdness of album reviews and all things music making with Grammy award winning sound chap James Blake! 🎙✨
👉 Thanks to episode sponsors: www.signalsounds.com/ 👍
SUPPORT:
▶️ See James Live and Buy/Stream his Music: www.jamesblakemusic.com/
▶️ Support WWB on Patreon: / mylarmelodies
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▶️ WEB LINK: www.whywebleep.com/
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Signal Sounds Ad!
01:40 Introduction
06:48 Chatting with James Blake
01:57:24 Closing thoughts
Had to read “James Blake” twice just to make sure I wasn’t crazy. So cool that you were able to make this happen!
Don't underestimate how big his other guests are within their genres though.. this interview was excitingly loads better than I was expecting from James, but in terms of guests there has been some perspectively bigger artists interviewed to the credit of Why We Bleep.
Hopefully this gets a broader audience across the podcast though! :)
This is so fascinating holy shit please do more of these and thanks for just letting him talk and ramble about his process and not cutting him off every 2 seconds
I just learned that James Blake's song "Wilhelm Scream" is an interpretation of one of his dad, James Litherand's, songs, called "Where to Turn."
Without a doubt my favourite podcast episode ever. James is incredibly articulate and came out with so many gems from his music creation process to criticism and the power of music; absolutely loved listening to every second of it. Fantastic artist, great stories, well done teasing it all out of him. Inspirational and very honest, especially about how not everything he makes is any good! Given me the drive to finish some more music "The cutting of the gem has to be finished before you can see whether it shines" (Leonard Cohen) 🙂
Thanks m8, awesome feedback 🙌
This is one of the best interviews with a music artist I've ever heard. Informative, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Great job man!
Two thoroughly decent chaps having a perfectly lovely chat. My world is substantially better for it. Thankyou both. (7/10 lols)
7/10 🤣
@@donnydarko7624 HAHAHA
This is one of the most phenomenal interviews I’ve seen in recent memory and I do not say that lightly. Deeply insightful, honest, passionate. All of the things. Thank you both
Thank you - but really all props to James for opening up 🙌
What absolute treat to have James Blake validate what I previously thought was my utterly dysfunctional workflow! ❤️
If a workflow works, it’s not bad 👍
Well that makes me so much better about letting go of tracks midway through because I lost my semblance of discipline. I rarely delete the project files though. because there's usually something I can come back and reappropriate from it at a later date.
i just became a fan recently after watching the video on how james blake is someone’s favorite dubstep producer, and he’s so f***in cool in the interview man. He’s so chill and transparent what a legend
Im rewatching it. I rewatched that same video yesterday. Im extremely glad I did come back here because I was specifically trying to find somewhere that he explained the thought process with harmonomix.
Love the part where he quotes you back to yourself and for such a good quote "anybody can do that, but yeah you did it." Eurorack as curation.
Heh yeah! He was referring to this vid for any curious to dig more into it ua-cam.com/video/c_WiOiWhPDQ/v-deo.html (Also worth reading “Why your five year old could not have done that”)
I have seen James playing live twice and both occasions turned out to be pivotal in his career. First time at the Big Chill festival (2011 ?) headlining the main stage. I remember he was totally besides himself to the point of saying something on the line of "I can't believe I am here now, when last year I was behind the bar spilling beer, or something similar. He rocked by the way. The second time was at the Roundhouse in Camden Town I believe when he won the Mercury., I recall been very impressed again as his sound had become monumental in a relative short period of time. 🙏
30:08 it was the deer hunter! had to look it up 😅amazing interview, cheers mylar 🙏
You know what, I think When Harry Met Sally wins for ensuring happy evenings most occasions 😉
1:09:00 as a live musician who has found myself reinvigorated by a passion for synthesis, this discussion is so amazing to hear. I've stayed ignorant of this concept for the last couple years, hoping it'll be more or less "solved" when the time comes where I start gigging with a hybrid electronic/acoustic band--and just like Dr. Blake here, with a drummer being the conductor of the modular train. So now I am very excited to hear this is possible and in fact central to such a high level live show.
You are interviewing just my favorites artists buddy
oh and james blake made some of my favorite songs of all time
Wonderful conversation. I've listened to this more than once now because there are so many intriguing threads. Quite inspiring!
Great interview! So interesting hearing JB talk about how his songs are not "just his" after he "submits" them to the world and then go on to mention how they gain a new organic life, when being performed live.
Thanks for this conversation!
this was incredible, thank you for making this happen!
This was sooooo cool!!! Thanks thanks thanks 👍
This interview was delightful. Thank you!
Really enjoyed this little chat. Very inspiring! Thanks!
Thank you, that was great.
God damn, a dream come true! Super cool episode!
A really interesting chat, thank you so much!
This is pure gold. Amazing chat
Thank you :)
Such great guest choices
Man… this was so good. Love that cat. Thank u mylar for this convo.
Listening to this was lovely.
No way!!!! Really excited to listen to this one.
Was listening to this on Patreon a few days ago - what a nice bloke this James Blake!
what a nice lad. Really enjoyed that!
That Signal Sounds poem... I've never been so happy to be advertised to.
Asking all of the right questions!
really love your podcasts and the artists you're inviting! everyone seems to enjoy it because it's not about promotion and stupid random questions
Great podcast! Fascinating to hear his process and just really interesting topics overall I don't often listen to podcast from start to finish but this was right up my street.
The thing about that quote about dancing to architecture is that dancing to architecture would be a totally valid exercise, possibly even brilliant.
I look forward to your production of "The Life of Zaha Hadid" at Sadlers Wells ;)
@@mylarmelodies Stevio Freero’ may be interested in that. Similar to myself he has a degree in Architecture.
Great interview Alex, the section about ‘the drummer’ was interesting, playing along to a click track etc.
P E A C E : )
That jogs a weak memory.... I think there was a 'Dance your Ph.D.' about architecture!
Great guy, incredibly talented producer!
Best podcast episode hands down. Inspirational. Listened in the car back and forth to my mother in hospital helped take my mind of things
Absolutely incredible discussion. Thank you for making this available
Thank you 👍
For anyone interested the tempo syncing to drummer james had worked out how to do in his setup ,can be done in ableton . It’s built in feature in the latest version .. happy days live 11 drummers ..only just found out myself , so can’t wait to see how grooves some of my dance tunes sound with me steering the ship ..lol
thanks for this new gem in the internet, f*ckng loved every second of it
I met James last month. What a super chill and nice dude. I've been a super fan since I first hear radio silence back then. 🤝
Great interview! Loved the bit about the Pitchfork review thing and not messing with the artist-audience relationship. James really comes across as a really earnest guy
What a pleasant & insightful chat. Great stuff, thank you!
Thanks Andrew!!
Can’t believe this is real! 🤯 Oh my… Love it! ❤️
Kinda crazy you got James Blake on here. Congrats on getting such a big guest.
Thanks m8, he’s like 6ft 5! 🤓
This one was absolutely fascinating! Thanks both for such an interesting talk.
🙌
Yeah I second this. A real pleasure to listen to you both chat
You've said it in the end : this interview is absolutely everything at least I was begging to hear and learn from an artist like him. He's giving the exact tools you want to have when you're composing any kind of music. His process is so interesting and inspiring, just the idea of re-harmonizing is itself a breathe of fresh air when you think of it. And as a huge fan of Aphex myself, I like the way he views it : there's no need to deify him, but rather be thankful to hear the music. Thank you James for the amazing music, thank you for spreading the knowledge and beautiful ideas. And obviously thank you Mylar for putting this together
I hear ya on the window-shaking bass… Years ago I managed to get myself a photo pass for a big festival, & found myself in the photo pool of the main stage - between the barriers holding back the rest of the crowd & the stage itself - while James was playing. The whole front of the stage at ground level was lined with huge subs that were taller than me, & we were literally within a few feet of them for the first half of the set. Felt like my innards were liquifying.
Would recommend.
Your interview subjects are fascinating. I learn new things every time I view your interviews with interesting people.
Thank you!!
I thought this was one of the best interviews ive heard on this podcast and id actually never heard of james blake before. Will definitely check out his music now. Thanks!
Thanks - his music is amazing, so enjoy!!
Thouroughly enjoyed this chat. Solid.
"I'm not playing it to my nan at Christmas", hahaha, awesome. Unless your nans a Bleep head!
Wholesome AF!
Thank you.
Wow james blake!!
Awesome episode/podcast!! Loved it. First time seeing your face. As something that could be called a compliment disguised as an insult or vice versa, you look WAY younger than I imagined from your voice 😂😂😂 Keep up the amazing work
Serious poetry there chief. Ruddy good intro.
good chat
In love with charismatic smiley:)
easily one of the best interviews.
🙌
I really enjoyed this ..
Thanks Ryan 🙌
there’s like dips in ur voice where u sound exactly like Tom Hanks & i’m like , are you dubbing ? , is that like something you do on here , granted it is my first listen / watch to ur station because i’m obsessed w james blake- anyways , haha , this was a beautiful , informative episode . that dude was so open , it must be ur presence that allowed him to be that vulnerable . v great , thank you for this . imma be super corny & cringe though , just because i feel that you and / or someone else in the chat may appreciate it but i released a song & video called “ Laboratory of Fun “ it’s on here- UA-cam , if you have the interest to check it out . thank you again for this piece !
After sitting at home with COVID for the last couple days, this was such a joy to listen to. Thanks for the inspirations!
Thank you - hope you're feeling OK! x
@@mylarmelodies Actually better today! Thank you. Cheers!
sublime ::::
1:51:40 James talks about this stuff really well. CMYK sort-off emerged from a more fun, anarchic internet.
12:58 Yeah, I can totally relate to that in terms of both acquiring bits of gear and getting them set up in different ways. Furthermore, my library of films and music will never be complete. However, I think the most intense version of this that I experience is with books. I read non-fiction, mainly academic but sometimes general audience texts, and there's always that fascinating book and within will most likely be references to other fascinating texts. I've already probably got enough books to see out the rest of my life but the prospect of not buying another would seem strangely terminal.
I've noticed people in synth communities often talk about their G.A.S. While I think artists need to be aware of how the toolbox fallacy can lead to procrastination, I think it is a discourse that is a bit self-flagellating, and so it's nice to hear genuine expressions of the pleasure that comes from the journey. In my experience, it is true that the journey is better than the destination... stay safe on your journeys, friends
Love all the Aphex conjecture.
Ooh oh, 14:55 James Blake officially going Dawless 😜
What a lovely podcast, took me 3 days to finish. Get Kevin Parker next, I've heard he's into mad synthesis..
Hearing you two talk makes me contrast our modular idiosyncrasies vs our musician friends who learn one instrument and focus perfecting that their whole career. I could never… Perhaps we lean more towards the adhd spectrum vs their ocd.
Hey, Squarepusher did the robots and acoustic instruments too. It's nice-
Great fucking interview thanks y’all
47:10 Having James Blake casually saying your music sounds great must be amazing. I‘m sure it was hard putting on a pokerface there and _NOT JUMPING ALL AROUND THE ROOM_ 😅
I know right. He’s a good and kind lad!!
I hope you choose you for Poet Laureate.... the intro is bliss!
Thanks for this, made my day. Anyone else totally bewildered that Yarns is the glue in James’ live act! What in the actually what. I use Peaks tapped lfo from wonky clocks but it’s just me in my basement doing a bit of musical therapy.
I once asked Paul Hartnoll about using iPads to play a gig in the Albert Hall and he said “He who dares wins, Alex!!” - always stuck with me that, so I say why not if it works
I didn't get how he gets Yarns to follow his drummer though. Where does the clock information comes from ? Does the drummer has a kind of tap tempo pedal on his own ?
He talks about sending it a steady flow of gates but I don't see any input (other than midi) on that module...is it really Yarns ? He seems hesitating
@@axelrigaud his drummer has gotta have a midi trigger out from the kick. James mentioned that it worked with 4/4 time.
@@thomas_ad ok but how does it convert to the midi clock required at the yarns input ?
This is massive
On Aphex, the rhythm sounds so natural because he plays it in and then quantises if required.
Great chat with so many nice nods to some other superb artists and a great insight into how you both approach making music.
Going completely off topic here your warp tunnel behind the chat boxes reminds me of the 80’s childrens show “Knightmare”. 🤣
I really wanna put that cgi face with the helmet in the middle and see it start breaking apart!!
Apologies for this nonsense being my first comment on your content sir!! 😳🤦♂️😅
ahaha, thanks - knightmare lives rent free in my head, what a weird show but brilliant 💀
13:22 It's indeed an absolute shame Geist II isn't supported anymore. I contacted ROLI/FXpansion support about this and they confirmed. Would love to learn what company mentioned by James is able to get Geist II going on updated Mac's, there's a little bit edited out there, maybe he gave more info on that?
Great interview!
Don’t think he elaborated on who did it, got the impression it was ROLI staff who helped? Would need to ask - I am dead curious to try it too after this chat and checking it out. Seems pretty unmatched/unique still?
@@mylarmelodies Out of everything I used that is not hardware I've found Geist II to be the most inspiring.
Amazing discussion, thanks for providing this content! Can anyone point me out the particular module Jame's mentions at 1:06:00?
I really like 'Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments' tbh
Does anyone know how to get yarns to spit out a clock signal based on the Drums per the conversation?
Well then!
Totally with James on The loneliness of producing on your own for too long. Big time!
Can you clarify how yarns works with an external clock source from a drummer? I didn't realise you could do this
love the internet rant at the end. more like James Based
Atari St with built in midi ports running cubase.
I know you‘re both pros and everything, but can I take a minute to appreciate the fact that you actually recorded your clean mic sound and sync‘d that up to the video recording instead of just using the crappy Zoom audio? I wouldn‘t even mention this, but there are countless podcasts out there from audio pros who DON‘T do that. Here in my little corner appreciating that and the work that went into it. (On my second watch now.) ❤
Thank you!! Yeah I use Squadcast which lets you chat in real time remotely but actually records local WAVs and beams them to your dropbox after the chat, it’s smart!
today i realised that James Blake and James Blunt are different people. (both legends, godspeed to you both)
at 01:04:30 James talks about using Yarn by mutible instruments to track a drum set to midi and CV but does anyone have examples of doing this with polymeter/polyrythm?
Yes i remix myself and make lots of mutations of my songs and save them for another song. Mutating from generations.
Geist is hands down the greatest drum sequencer thats ever existed and unfortunately discontinued.. its been my go to since Guru..
expensive lego for musicians is imho the best description of modular
22:46 --> Classic one here, 'Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie, put your hands all over my body' - Madonna - Erotica
Insane that the man that made Retrograde, Digital Lion, Love Me In Whatever Way, Once We All Agree, Radio Silence etc etc cares about reviews?! James, they'll never get anywhere near the source!
😎
That "baba vs. dada" phenomenon is called, the McGurk effect fyi
Will the podcast start back up again?
Hope to do so this week! Two recorded...
Okay im starting to spam but i have to stop here and say, how do you keep a pokerface like that when james blake tells you how amazing your music is. fantastic interview so far, i already took alot from it.