Tape Notes

TN:184 Myles Smith & Peter Fenn

Tape Notes

Show Notes

John is joined by Myles Smith and producer Peter Fenn to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’.

Myles Smith is a singer-songwriter from Luton in the UK. Performing at local open mic nights since his teens, he built a loyal fan base and landed a record deal with Sony thanks to cover versions he posted on Tiktok. In 2024, Myles’ single ‘Stargazing’ was a viral hit and has since been streamed over one billion times globally. The momentum of ‘Stargazing’ and other early singles helped establish Myles as one of the UK's most promising new artists. He won 2024’s BBC Introducing Artist of the Year and the BRIT Rising Star Award and is only the second artist, after Lewis Capaldi, to sell out London’s 02 Arena before releasing a debut album. ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’, his debut, produced by longtime collaborator Peter Fenn, arrived in June 2026.

Sitting down at Salvation Studios in Brighton, the trio discuss “getting out of the way of the song” as their approach to production on the album and how billion-streaming hit ‘Stargazing’ evolved into something really special in the studio. They explain why they prefer to be “in the box” when it comes to mixing, and reveal how they translated Myles’ original acoustic tracks into anthemic live performances, including “Myles Sauce” vocal techniques! Plus they answer questions from our Patrons!

Tracks discussed: Stargazing, My Mess, Dying Days

LISTEN to ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’ - It’s Okay To Feel, Sony Music: My Mess, My Heart, My Life. by Myles Smith

TAPE IT

Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

Visit tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

TRINITY LABAN

Find out more about Trinity Laban’s new MA in Songwriting.

MUSIVERSAL

Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE

Recorded at Salvation Studios

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

linktr.ee/tapenotes

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

GEAR MENTIONS

Soundtoys Decapitator

Neural Archetype: Cory Wong X

Audiomovers Listento

Hofner Bass

iZotope Vocal Synth 2

Shure SM7B

Neumann U87

Oek Sound Soothe2

Leapwing DynOne

Valhalla Reverb

The God Particle

Waves NS1

UAD Hitsville EQ

UAD 1176

UAD Lexicon Reverb

UAD Capitol Chambers

UAD Spark

UA Apollo

Xfer Serum

Ebow

Soyuz Pencil Mic

Taylor Acoustic Guitars

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you'd like to help support the show you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:

Instagram: @tapenotes

YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

Discord: Tape Notes

Patreon: Tape Notes

To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear!

Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from Tape Notes

Oct 20, 2026

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE @ ⁠Patreon.com/tapenotes⁠

Oct 6, 2026

John is joined by Lizzy McAlpine, along with producers Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall and engineer Omar Akrouche to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Angel’.

Sep 22, 2026

John is joined by Giles Martin to talk about how he recorded and produced the album ‘Rubber Soul: New Special Edition’.

Sep 15, 2026

BONOBO SPECIAL! - 50% of Tape It Pro at tape.it/bonobo (available until 30th September 2026)

Sep 2, 2026

John is joined by Kevin Parker, aka Tame Impala, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Deadbeat’.

See all episodes →