John is joined by Scottish musician and producer Sam Gellaitry.
Described as “your favourite producer’s favourite producer”, Sam’s innovative, genre-blending electronic music and superb production skills have earned him a loyal fan following and industry respect over the past decade.
Sam signed his first deal, with XL Recordings, at just 18. While early EPs were purely instrumental, Sam started to incorporate his own vocals on fifth EP, IV (2021). The track ‘Assumptions’ from the EP became his biggest hit to date, reaching No. 5 on the US Dance Chart. In 2022, Sam’s collaboration with Pink Pantheress, ‘Picture in my Mind’, brought him to mainstream attention. The same year, he released his mixtape VF VOL II and was named by EDM as one of the 10 best producers of the year. Sam has toured extensively with artists including Kaytranada and Justice whilst continuing to release singles and selling out a multiple-night residency at cult London club Phonox. Sam’s debut album, ‘ANYWHERE HERE IS PERFECT’ was released on 7th November 2025.
Sitting down at Baltic Studios in London, Sam talks John through how the gear he uses has evolved over the years and the bespoke approaches he takes to create his unique, 80s-influenced sound. Sam talks about how having synaesthesia (experiencing music as colours) since childhood has been central to his creative process, his techniques for producing vocals and string sounds on the album, and much more!
Tracks discussed: ON&ON, DON’T TRY, YOU MIGHT FIND THE ONE
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LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
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Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Reason Studios
Ableton Live
Magix Acid Pro
Audacity
FL Studio
UVI Falcon
UVI Vintage Vault
NI Kontakt
RME Babyface
RME UFX ii
Shure SM58
Neve 1073
Brusfri Klevgrand
Neumann U87
Furman power supply
Antares Autotune
Klevgrand Korvpressor
Klevgrand De-Esser
Soundtoys Echoboy
Emu Emulator 2
Digitech Talker
Sequential OB-6
Moog One
Moog Matriarch
Fender Mustang
Fender Jaguar
Fender Mustang Bass
EastWest Quantum Leap
Virharmonic Bohemian Violin
OUR GEAR
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