“I thought somebody else was gonna sing and they were like ‘Nah, you’”: Pharrell on working with Daft Punk on Random Access MemoriesPharrell has looked back on the “lucky” experience of working with Daft Punk on their 2013 album, Random Access Memories.

READ MORE: “It was the most fun I’ve ever had in the studio”: Tobtok teams up with farfetch’d for a friend-centred EP

In the latest instalment of the robots’ Memory Tapes documentary series, the producer and songwriter admits he didn’t expect his recorded vocals to end up on the final versions of Get Lucky and Lose Yourself To Dance.
“When they brought me in to write on the album, I thought I was just writing for someone else. So in my mind [I thought] ‘Oh okay I’m writing this for someone. Okay I think this is kind of Michael-esque,’” Pharrell says. “I didn’t know who was gonna end up singing it. I left the studio thinking, ‘Okay, can’t wait to see who sings and what it sounds like.’”
“I didn’t hear it for a year, so I forgot what the song sounded like – both of them.”

The episode then reveals archival footage of Pharrell hearing the completed versions of Get Lucky and Lose Yourself to Dance for the first time, with the musician recalling: “It was weird to write something in this crazy hour and then not have access to it.”
“I don’t remember writing anything because we were just like in the zone,” he says.
Watch the full episode below.

Daft Punk’s Memory Tapes series celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the group’s final album and its collaborators. A 10th-anniversary edition of Random Access Memories is also now out, featuring 35 minutes of new material including fresh tracks, early demos as well as outtakes and skits.
The post “I thought somebody else was gonna sing and they were like ‘Nah, you’”: Pharrell on working with Daft Punk on Random Access Memories appeared first on MusicTech.

Silen Audio launches Infinite Flow synth channeling “analogue imperfection”LA-based audio house Silen Audio has launched Infinite Flow, a soft synth which channels the imperfections of classic analogue synths for the modern age.
The brand argues that soft synths can often be tinny or mechanical in sound, an issue which it hopes to tackle by offering a range of effects such as Flutter, which give a wobbly, cassette style sound.

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“Silen Audio proudly introduces Infinite Flow, a ground-breaking software synthesiser that blends the iconic depth and warmth of vintage synthesisers with the dynamic pulse and grit of contemporary sound,” says the brand in a statement on social media.
“Infinite Flow is not just another synth; it’s an innovative sound-crafting tool designed for musicians seeking analogue imperfection in a digital age.”
The synth takes inspiration from vintage poly synths used in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although details on its exact specifications are limited, Infinite Flow has eight voices, seven oscillators, and five effects. It also offers an “extensive” preset bank and deep modulability, including inherent per-voice modulation, and unique, per-voice detuning.
Check out the videos below for a clearer idea of how it works in use:

Silen Audio is a full-service audio house founded by composer Adam Fligsten. The company has worked on a variety of AAA and indie projects across video games, movies, commercials, trailers, TV series, documentaries, and more. Infinite Flow is its first synth available to consumers.
Infinite Flow is available now for $179.99, or you can “rent to own” for $9.99 per month, for 18 months. A free trial is also available. Find out more over at Silen Audio.
The post Silen Audio launches Infinite Flow synth channeling “analogue imperfection” appeared first on MusicTech.

Silen Audio release Infinite Flow soft synth Silen Audio's new analogue-inspired software synthesizer promises to provide users with infinite music creation, expression and sound exploration possibilities.

Songtradr hints at Bandcamp layoffs after recent acquisitionSongtradr has released a statement addressing the potential layoffs that may follow its acquisition of music marketplace Bandcamp.

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In response to a press release from Bandcamp’s union, Bandcamp United, the statement clarifies that Songtradr “does not own or control Bandcamp yet”, and that the acquisition will be finalised in the coming weeks.
As for current workers at the company, Songtradr states: “Not all Bandcamp employees will receive offers from Songtradr. Based on its current financials, Bandcamp requires some adjustments to ensure a sustainable and healthy company that can serve its community of artists and fans long into the future.”
“Those that don’t receive offers within the next few weeks will receive severance from Epic as part of their layoffs as communicated on September 28th.”
“We will work towards a fair and equitable outcome for the global members of the Bandcamp team. Songtradr is planning to keep all the existing Bandcamp services that fans and artists love, including Bandcamp Fridays, Bandcamp Daily and its artist-first revenue share.”
Songytradr’s acquisition of Bandcamp comes less than 18 months after Epic Games – the video game giant behind Fortnite – bought the company for an undisclosed sum.
In March, a number of Bandcamp staff, under the name of Bandcamp United, unionised in a push for fairer wages and greater transparency from its leadership.
Workers described the move as “critical to our ability to do our best work and make good on the promise and mission of Bandcamp to provide fair economic conditions, direct support, and transparency for ourselves and all of our users”.
Bandcamp’s CEO Ethan Diamond later responded, saying, “following the NLRB’s process and timeline. Bandcamp will respect the election outcome and if a union forms, we will negotiate in good faith.”

We are calling on @songtradr to meet our demands so that we can continue to do our work and preserve Bandcamp’s mission:
* Employment offers for ALL workers* Voluntary severance offers* Immediate union recognition & continuation of bargaining
https://t.co/JetUB1PN1d pic.twitter.com/9wWw2o6VPc
— Bandcamp United (@bandcampunited) October 4, 2023

The post Songtradr hints at Bandcamp layoffs after recent acquisition appeared first on MusicTech.

“It was the most fun I’ve ever had in the studio”: Tobtok teams up with farfetch’d for a friend-centred EPAlthough it’s a small affair with friends, Swedish producers, Tobtok and duo farfetch’d are equally nervous as they are excited to launch their new EP, My Friends at Reason Studios HQ in Stockholm.

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When MusicTech is buzzed up to the office in the Hornstull area of Stockholm, where the party is set to take place, the three are carrying crates of beer down a corridor, helping to set up lighting and making last-minute additions to the growing list of attendees.

“We did the whole EP in Reason,” Tobtok, who’s used the software since 2009, tells us as we sit down on office chairs. “So, that’s the… reason… why we’re doing it here!” Another reason, Tobtok tells us, is because of the software’s colourful, visual interface. This is far more inspiring than Ableton Live’s grey, parameter-focused design, and adds a “feeling of satisfaction”.
They started the My Friends EP in FL Studio, however, Jerry from farfetch’d tells us, then took it to Toby’s – Tobtok – studio to finish it. They were inspired by the sound they achieved with their first collaboration, Seen, which led to the decision to push and make more music in a more liberal way.
Its opening track, I Like When You, is a jungle-inspired rave number that started out at a faster tempo, eventually being slowed down. This style is new territory for both Tobtok and farfetch’d, as they’ve mostly dabbled in French house flavours previously. They tell us how they started with an irregular kickdrum pattern usually used in jungle tracks, then “painted around” the pattern with breaks, samples and synths. They couldn’t help but slap a 4×4 kickdrum pattern on it, though, to bring things back to their roots
Jerry embraces Tobtok with Johnny in the foreground
An important part of the My Friends EP was to make music without any commercial pressure, they say. “We’ve been producing for so long and are so damaged by arrangements and sounds and ‘you need to do this’. But I think we felt a spark that we hadn’t felt in years,” says Jerry.
“We decided that we were not going to follow any rules. Throughout the years, we have been trying to make things commercially radio-friendly. And those records have a certain formula. We were both in a position where we felt like we’d lost a spark. So, we wanted to just go in the studio and have fun and not worry about something being a commercial success or anything.
“That’s how we started,” says Tobtok. “When I started, I was just a kid having fun in Reason, you know, in front of my computer. The way I made music back then was by just having fun. I didn’t even think about formulas or anything like that. This was about going back to the feelings we had when we made music when we were 18. It was the most fun I’ve ever had in the studio.”
Evidently, this was a special collaborative moment for the duo and Tobtok, as they rediscovered a sense of freedom away from commercial demands. It also sparked a heartwarming appreciation of friendship. As we talk, friends and fans are drifting into the office, quickly greeted by either a hug or a sincere handshake from the trio, before being shown towards the dancefloor.

We all step out of the desk space, walk through the office and on to the dancefloor, where the launch party is taking place. It’s not a dancefloor usually, of course, with a kitchen in one corner, sofas pushed to the sides and a stage set up in the corner. As a disco ball spins, the producer’s friends hop on the decks to warm up and Tobtok and farfetch’d get to work serving drinks. Even Reason’s CEO, Niklas Agevik, is decanting bags of crisps into bowls and asking what people want to drink.
For Tobtok and farfetch’d, who step up for a fun back-to-back DJ set to the encouraging cheers of their friends, the My Friends EP was perhaps a pivotal moment for all three. No more constraints in the studio; just find that feeling of fun again with friends.
The My Friends EP by Tobtok and farfetch’d is out now via Perfect Havoc. Buy it at Beatport. You can also read our interview with Reason’s CEO, Niklas Agevik, at MusicTech.
The post “It was the most fun I’ve ever had in the studio”: Tobtok teams up with farfetch’d for a friend-centred EP appeared first on MusicTech.

1010music announce nanobox | tangerine The nanobox | tangerine draws its inspiration from the early days of sampling, and aims to offer interesting new ways of generating sounds in desktop or portable rigs.

Silen Audio Infinite Flow THE TIMELESS SOUND OF CLASSIC SYNTHESIZERS. Infinite Flow uses models of vintage polyphonic synthesizers to unlock subtle warmth and depth for your synthesizer sounds. ... Read More

US lawmakers urge IRS to implement crypto tax reporting requirements before 2026The crypto tax reporting requirements proposed by the IRS in August are currently scheduled to go into effect in 2026 — according to 7 senators, that isn't soon enough.

HiFi acquired by TIDAL parent BlockBesides TIDAL, and now HiFi, Block also owns Cash App, a person-to-person payments app, the buy-now-pay-later platform Afterpay and web hosting service Weebly.
Source

Universal Music Group’s share price just hit a 12-month high, as company’s market cap climbs to $49 billionNews comes after a number of prominent Wall Street analysts maintained a 'Buy' rating on UMG's stock
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VG Trumpet VG Flugelhorn SFZ YouTube/5i9qsEJuFBM The library includes three sets of samples: 1. Subtone sound 2. Soul sound 3. Jazz sound: Set up to work with breath controllers (TEControl, MRT Audio,... Read More

Former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison explains how FTX hid losses, sandbagged lenders“We were in a bad situation,” Ellison said.

Taylor Swift, Nikki Sixx, Dave Matthews, Rick Allen Donate to Raven Drum Foundation AuctionFor the third year in a row, Raven Drum Foundation (RDF) brings together an all-star group of musicians to raise funds for Veterans, first responders, and others dealing with trauma. In addition to RDF co-founder Rick Allen (legendary drummer of Def Leppard), celebrities who have contributed items include Taylor Swift, Nikki Sixx & Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Todd Sucherman and Styx, Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, The Cult, Velvet Revolver), Fred Armisen, and many more. Through a partnership with Musicians on Call, a Dave Matthews guitar featuring his one-of-kind hand-drawn artwork will be offered to help fund an ongoing partnership with Raven Drum to bring live music to bedsides in VA hospitals around the country.

Founded in 2001 by Allen and his wife, singer-songwriter and healing arts practitioner Lauren Monroe, Raven Drum Foundation serves, educates, and empowers trauma survivors and communities in crisis, with a focus on Veterans and First Responders. By integrating advocacy, storytelling, music, and arts programs and events, the organization brings the tools and experiences of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to support and inspire mental health, resiliency, and unity.

“I recently had the chance to attend a Raven Drum Foundation event and was really impacted by the healing effect the drum circle and joining together in a shared rhythm with a community of people had on me. I’m happy to support Raven Drum’s mission by donating one of my signature bass guitars, along with a few other items, including a scarf worn on stage with Mötley Crüe, some signed books, and my custom picks.” - Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe)

More info and bid on the items here: e.givesmart.com/events/yuD/i/_All/#itemnTeq

Synthesizer Evolution zines by Oli Freke Oli Freke has produced two new pocket-sized A6 zines based on his 2021 book, Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (and Back).