Toucan Echo Podcast

Want a sneak peak of some new Toucan Echo songs before they are released?

Or wondered what goes on at a Toucan Echo practice session? Well now you can find out!

See if you dug into our archives (and you'd have to dig because we buried them deep under the Amazon river), you'd find a BEAK-TON of demos, jams, performances and other things that James and Harry cook up, but never release to the world.

That cuz we record all our practices and usually go through a few versions of songs before they're ready to record. Heck, given we never play a song the same way twice live, imagine what we're like behind closed doors, ha!

Anyway, I (James, hello) wanted to do an experiment by using the podcast to share sneaky behind the scenes looks, like demos and jams we do in the practice room. Thought it might be fun. And gave me a flash back to my student radio days. Here you go!

Let me know if you enjoyed by emailing james@toucanecho.com or DM us on our socials! :)

We've re-branded our regular live stream as 'Jungle Jams' - as they're too good to leave on Facebook.

So welcome to Episode 1, where we jam new songs and old!

Note - this is mostly music, not much speaking like our regular podcast!! 

28/07/22

00:00 'The Savannah of the Internet'

02:00 Volunteer

11:50 'By a band called Toucan Echo'

13:22 Milestones (new song)

20:20 Improvised song (I Can Hear The Rain)

 23:55 Patina

25:05 Roll Call

28:37 '2018...these days that's vintage'

29:38 Level Up

36:00 War (Bob Marley and The Wailers Cover)

42:20 'Two Pan Echo, pasta and sauce'

44:20 Square One

48:50 'Whose listened to it?'

49:40 Backpack

57:20 'How's it going? ALL GOOD'

58:58 Never Gonna Live It Down / Diamonds on The Soles Of Her Shoes (Paul Simon Cover)

J&H discuss attending some festivals in the past few weeks - Harry was at Glastonbury and both James and Harry were at Love Supreme.

We also briefly talk about whether we want to play some festivals as Toucan Echo in the future. . . 

J&H discuss our latest track 'Volunteer', which arrives on streaming Monday 18th July 2022. 

Bit of a rockier Jack White / Doors / Hendrix vibe to this one.

James and Harry discuss their latest vinyl purchases!

Nerftiti - Miles Davis

Hejira - Joni Mitchell

Love Supreme Live in Seattle - John Coltrane

Studio One Dub

Black Messiah - D'Angelo

Pirates Choice- Orchestra Baobab

Live! - Africa 70, Fela Kuti/Ginger Backer

James and Harry discuss the new Toucan Echo single Room Wide Mind - with a preview at the end of the podcast!

Show Notes:

Zed and Two Noughts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Zed_%26_Two_Noughts

James and Harry discussing the latest Toucan Echo gossip and plans for the rest of 2022!

James and Harry discuss their gig at Northern Guitars in Leeds UK, (13th May 2022), including:

- How we prepared for playing 2x45 minute sets!

- Some advice for bands (particularly 2 pieces) on how to make your gig a success

SHOW NOTES:

Watch the full set on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdaX6H_8_wg

Live band makeover by Tom Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_AVfpTc4nA

Listen to Level Up / War (Bob Marley Cover) at the end of the podcast!

The coolest podcast in the rainforest returns! 

In this first episode of 2022, James talks:

- Our new record Headless / Restless - why we made it, what we learned from it

- Our plans for 2022

- Going to a jam night in Leeds

- Buying random vinyls

- Guitar tone & the Kemper - why it's a dream in the studio!

Toucan Echo Podcast #48

James and Harry discuss the new 3 part, 8 hour long Beatles documentary 'Get Back' and it's insights into the creative process of the greatest band of all time.  They also discuss their most listened to songs this year, according to '2021 Spotify Unwrapped'.

We've been hidden away working on our album in recent weeks, but now we're back!

Tune in to a cosy fireside chat with James and Harry to find out: 

• Why we are in France 
• What the title of our new album means 
• Harry's creative process for our new music video 
• What we think of Britpop and Stone Roses 
• More love for Paul Simon 
• Some random chat about rugby
  
  

James and Harry having some drinks on Wednesday evening, discussing the past year living together in their London flat and making music. A real lucky dip episode covering lots of topics but sit back relax and let that talking roll. We even hit some thoughts on whiskey and NFTs. But general good vibes episode.

James and Harry sit down to discuss overcoming their current struggles with creative blocks finishing their current album, and come up with some gems/strategies for all you creatives out there! 

Listen for:

- How James writes songs
- How Harry creates drum parts, videos and artwork
- Vision - or make it up as you go?
- Advice on how to set deadlines and limitations to jumpstart your creativity
- Other random tangents!

Some real gems in there today! 

Harry's back on the podcast! We're back to discuss the new album and how we plan to promote it, creative vision and how to make it come true in the real world, plus whiskey and other fun stuff!

James returns on the Toucan Echo podcast to discuss why we're recording an album in 2021, plus some insights into the recording process and some new, erm, guitar purchases that helped along the way!

Also - we're looking to play some shows in 2021/2022! If you'd like to see TE play a show near you, let us know: https://forms.gle/kTs16pWvyWkDnzA87

James read a great book by Kevin Kelly called 'The Inevitable', all about technology and the future. So Harry and James sit down to talk about the themes from the book and how some of his ideas on what will happen in the future might impact musicians. . .including but not limited to AI, having a community of fans, remixes, live streams, VR, and more. It's an interesting discussion for sure! 

A sprawling Thursday evening conversation between James and Harry on a range of topics, including but not limited to our new single Digital Native. Strap in! 

Wow what a jam packed episode! James and Harry sit down to talk about their next single 'Digital Native', but the topic wheel spins out of control rolling down the winding highway and landing at new regions such as whiskey, creativity/being an artist, lighting, live streaming, and more! A real one to kick back on the sofa in a pleasantly lit room and absorb! 

Show Notes:

Civilised to Death - Christopher Ryan. https://www.waterstones.com/book/civilized-to-death/christopher-ryan/9781451659108

Sort of combined Toucan Echo catch up on what we've been up to and James exploring some recent discoveries on minimalism and aiming for less while recording, buying music gear, etc.

Show Notes:

Toucan Echo Live Stream:https://fb.watch/39W7FgDP4J/

John Mayer Current Mood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIlzbAzGw7U

Recording Revolution: https://www.recordingrevolution.com/mixing-minimalism-and-the-art-of-subtraction/

While a curry simmers on the stove, James and Harry sit down to chat about Toucan Echo plans for 2021! This includes... recording a bunch of new songs (that might become an album), minimalism and fake tape machines, Haruomi Hosono. . .what a jam packed episode. 

One of my resolutions is to actually include show notes, so here goes:

Vampire Weekend: 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmnjkZEkiA 

Haruomi Hosono: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlpva2-5FMs

A 60s Tape Machine: https://www.musictech.net/reviews/studio-icons-studer-j37/ 

Welcome to 2021! First podcast of the year is back to James one man rants where we cover a range of topics including: 

- New years resolutions and forming new habits

- Minimalism

- New toucan echo album on the way

- How trying to upgrade music gear/equipment gets in the way of creating

- Why you shouldn't compare your music to other people's or your past work

It feels great to be back on the podcast - so more will be coming your way!

James and Harry sat on their podcast studio (read: corner sofa) on a lazy Saturday morning sipping a decaff coffee discussing the evolution to the connection economy, factories, jobs, COVID and why multiple income streams are important now and in the future. We also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of biscuits, should you always do what you want, the four hour work week, freelancing, and how we're beginning our long journey down this road. 

Show Notes:

Dreamlining: https://tim.blog/lifestyle-costing/ 

Fear Setting: https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_ferriss_why_you_should_define_your_fears_instead_of_your_goals?language=en

Always do what you want: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xZcVhFlCp3KZ3R86m69zz?si=VZawGbfyTh6ZO-l5mbSf1g

James and Harry back together on the podcast, from the sofa of their new flat, updating you on the last few months of Toucan Echo. Topics include. . .sorting permanent practice space, our latest exploits in Facebook advertising, why we're staying as a two piece, announcing our new interactive JAM EXPERIENCE coming in December, beer reviews, live shows, Ireland, living in other countries. . .strap in for a roller coaster Toucans!

James and Harry sipping black decaff coffee trying to get to the bottom of a Toucan Echo identity crisis. What do 'records' mean these days that recording is so cheap and music is less often physically released? Can you record a song in the studio more than once? We explore these topics and more in another conversation jam packed with interesting topics! 

James and Harry stop at a coffee shop to discuss the Toucan Echo music release strategy. So let's kick off this blockbuster two parter with a textbook 2020 musician question - should we make singles or albums?!

Normal Times making of vid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hVYqGko6Jg

White Stripes, Black Math live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B44vvNGXuHo

James Brown 70s Funk Classics

https://open.spotify.com/album/2qHJQ1SqVTUfN93ovRHjZc?si=SgWm0XkAREaWnXTbOGLCEg

Sam Harris podcast, Can We Pull Back From The Brink?

https://samharris.org/podcasts/207-can-pull-back-brink/

James and Harry chat about their new single 'Mono Lake' - how it was first inspired on a roadtrip out of San Francisco and how we brought it to life during lockdown. We also talk about how nature gives you perspective, the move away from albums to frequent singles, Harry's VR trip over a Swiss mountain range, how Harry's never going to wear a suit again, and at the end there's a little treat of an acoustic version of Mono Lake!

Enjoy, you wonderful podcast fans. If you'd like to have a listen to the full song, check it out here:

https://toucanecho.com/listen/ 

Any comments or thoughts, drop us a line at james@toucanecho.com

Hi this is Harry writing this podcast description, how are you? 

I swooped back in on this episode to chat about our new Jam EP, the things James and I have been up to during the UK lockdown, James' new found morning routine, yoga, eBay businesses, plans for future content, and new songs. WHAT A VARIETY. We had a blast, hope you enjoy. 

Harry

Some thoughts about running, live streams and podcasting. How important it is to get started, then use that to keep going and improving in small increments, building on your progress, even if you don't see instant results and the world won't support you at first!