If you’re a fan of the psychedelic music genre or just into modern music, you’ve probably heard of Tame Impala. And, if you’re familiar with its music, you’ll know that Tame Impala is not a band but a project by Australian musician Kevin Parker.
Parker writes, records, and produces all of Tame Impala’s music. He is Tame Impala. In fact, “The Less I Know the Better,” one of the project’s most famous songs, was recorded in just 15 minutes. This was no barrier to the success of the song, which now has almost 2 billion streams on Spotify!
Now, recording an album can take years. Tame Impala’s last album, The Slow Rush, was released in 2020, with a new one still in the works. Despite being the musical genius that he is, Parker needs his time to record and release an album. The band released “only” four albums in 15 years.
All that being said, what if you wanted to become something like Tame Impala or launch an indie album all by yourself? How would you go about recording this album?
Don’t know? Don’t worry! In this article, we’ll help you find your way.
Set Up Your Home Studio Vibe
First things first, you’ll need a space to call your studio. The good news? It doesn’t have to be fancy. A corner of your room, the basement, or even a closet can be transformed into a recording haven with a few additions.
Invest in a decent digital audio interface, a computer with a reliable DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), and a quality microphone. These are the basics, but your creativity and vision are the real stars here.
A professional recording studio can cost upwards of $400,000 to set up. However, you do not need to spend so much for a home studio. Get decent recording gear, soundproofing, and the best software you need for your music. You should be able to wrap up the setup for just a few thousand dollars.
Once you have the gear, get creative with the ambiance. Use lighting, posters, plants—anything that helps you relax and find inspiration.
Laying Down the Rhythm
Drums are the beating heart of most songs, no matter how small they may seem. Don’t panic if you don’t have access to an actual drum kit.
Indie musicians have made magic with digital drum beats for years. Now, all you need is an AI-based drum loop maker, and you’ve got a ton of creative possibilities at your fingertips.
As Drumloop AI says, it’s as if you have a professional drummer in your pocket. Test out different drums and drum kits in your DAW. Play around with different BPMs to see what energizes each track.
What’s so awesome about all this? Using a live drummer doesn’t require adding a natural feel to your tracks.
Featuring options to tweak, save, and edit each beat, you can make a track sound alive and natural. Blend drum loops and experiment with different loops to create the mood of your song.
Finding Your Sound and Recording Guitar
Indie music, from the pioneers The Smiths to the noise rock American band Sonic Youth, and not to forget the most recent indie bands from the garage rock revival of the 2000s, like The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys, are all about personality. Nothing captures that better than the guitar sound. Whether you’re going for something clean or drenched in reverb, finding the right tone can make your tracks feel both cohesive and distinct
If you’re not using a live amp, digital amp simulators in your DAW can provide a variety of effects without blowing out your walls.
Recording guitar solo? Go all in with layers. Try a different style or tone for each verse, chorus, or bridge.
Recording multiple takes can let you mix different vibes into your final track. Some of the most memorable indie songs have those unique quirks from layering unexpected guitar textures.
Mixing and Editing
Mixing is when the shit begins to come out. That’s where you square everything, layer it, and make everything shine. It’s a delicate affair, but you don’t have to rush it.
Take time with EQ, reverb, and compression to pull the layers of sound into a nice, balanced mix. Don’t be afraid to follow online tutorials to pick up the advanced tricks along the way.
Editing every take until you nail the sound could be tedious. But it’s also a way to make every song sound exactly how you want. Seek simplicity and intimacy instead of high-gloss perfection.
Concluding the Tracks and Getting Feedback
Before you end, every track should be given a rest. Take a break for a day or two, then return with new ears for one last listen.
You may be able to detect the subtle changes that make the difference. You can also try playing it for some trusted friends or fellow artists. Their advice can be a helpful final straw before you publish your masterpiece.
Ready to Release
The final moment is here: release day.
Whether you’re uploading to Spotify or SoundCloud, know that you’ve accomplished something amazing. Your indie album is uniquely yours, a product of long hours and your own creative vision. It doesn’t matter if it tops the charts or stays underground; it’s a testament to your talent and commitment.
