TN:167 Kae Tempest & Fraser T. Smith

Oct 29, 2025

Guest

Fraser T. Smith

Guest

Kae Tempest

Kae Tempest, a powerful spoken-word poet and acclaimed recording artist, teams up with Grammy-winning producer Fraser T. Smith to dive into their collaborative album, Self-Titled. They discuss the joy of building songs using ProTools, the creative chemistry that emerged during their sessions, and the impact of production choices on tracking direction. Kae shares insights on how his various artistic forms influence songwriting, while Fraser offers studio etiquette tips. Their conversation reveals how love and emotion are interwoven into the album’s rich textures.

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ADVICE

Play, Don't Just Click

Use physical, hands‑on gear to keep performances visceral and avoid becoming a screen operator.
Assign an engineer to handle recording so the musician can move freely and experiment.

ANECDOTE

How Statue In The Square Took Shape

Statue In The Square began with Fraser's piano and an MPC drum loop that defined the track's identity.
The sparse arrangement let Kae’s lyrics sit front and created room for a single siren-like sound to signal the chorus.

INSIGHT

Anchoring Songs With Low End

Low‑end elements (808s, detuned brass, sub) formed the record's anchor and gave songs weight and warmth.
Fraser intentionally blended samples and live bass to keep the palette cohesive.

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