We Used a Vocoder on I Wanna Party

Image-Line's Vocoder Effect Plug-In Vocodex

We used a vocoder on our 2022 song Graphic Equalizer. It was the first time we used this effect in our music. Hoyt and I loved the way it sounded so we decided to use it again on our forthcoming single I Wanna Party. 

The use of vocoders in electronic music is nothing new but for us it is. Vocoders were used a lot in early 1980s dance music. Many of you might remember it was used in the unforgettable hook of Michael Jackson's P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing). Stevie Wonder also used it in his sentimental ballad I Just Called To Say I Love You. And surely anyone enthusiastic about pop music remembers Daft Punk used it on their international big hit Get Lucky.

Pictured here is an early 1970s vocoder that was custom-built for the electronic music band Kraftwerk. Fortunately, these days many great VST options exist in the digital domain. I used a great plug-in by Image-Line called Vocodex to achieve the sound I was looking for.

It only took me a few hours to learn how to use this effect in our own music. I ran Nick's voice through it using a carrier synth and the end result sounds just fantastic. There's something futuristic yet deliciously retro about it. Our producer Matt Pop loved it so much that he decided to open the song with this fun element. 

Big love, Carly xoxo 🍬🍎🟦

We Sing the Praises of Matt Pop

Matt Pop Record Producer / Remixer (2018)

We often sing the praises of a record producer that we feel very privileged to work with. His name is Matt Pop. The highs that this man is musically able to reach absolutely astound me. It would normally take a team of ten people to achieve the sound that he's able to accomplish on his own. 

Matt is remarkably gifted and detail-oriented. He dissects melody, harmony, and chord structure then puts it all back together again. The sonic choices that he makes with his reverb, delay, and use of compression are always the right ones. His synthesizer programming is just out of this world! His rhythmic tracks are always danceable and delightful. 

Getting the various elements of a song to play nicely together can be very tricky. Every decision he makes is a thoughtful one based on how well the audio relates to each other in the mix. Matt makes it all sound like a breeze. He's got an excellent ear for what makes pop music work. He's both an outstanding mixing and mastering engineer. This is a rare feat in its own right. Mastering music can be difficult. It's a delicate and artful science.

Like all great record producers that came before him, Matt Pop has a signature sound. He leaves his fingerprints on everything that he touches and everything that he touches turns to gold. His mixes are a musical feast for the ears. They are always artistic, unique, and fresh. 

Matt doesn't always agree to take on and produce every song that we send his way. Not only is he very much in demand but his standards are also very high. When he says yes to producing one of our songs, I know we've written a great composition and have recorded a great vocal. 

I wanted to take this moment to proudly announce to you that Matt Pop has once again delivered to us another winner! 🏆 He's produced our forthcoming single I Wanna Party and it's an absolute banger!

If you like radio-friendly sing-along pop music then you're in for a real treat! This latest offering is an excellent example of all the things that I've mentioned here. 

We've got the right song, the right vocalist, and the right producer. I Wanna Party is a winner baby! 🎉

The release date and track listing will be announced soon.

Big love, 💞 Carly