"We stuck the record head so it kept on recording over and over on top of itself and played keyboard notes into it to create this ghost repetition melody"

In this quote, Colin Greenwood, bassist of the band Radiohead, explains an innovative studio technique used to create special sound textures. The expression "We stuck the record head" describes controling a tape recorder's recording mechanism so that a sound is constantly layered over itself. This method benefits from analog tape's ability to be taped on multiple times, with each pass layering new noises or notes over the previous ones.

The process described suggests a physical intervention to trigger the tape to loop back and record constantly over the exact same section of tape. This produces what Greenwood calls a "ghost repeating tune," which might refer to numerous sonic impacts. The repeated recording would gradually cause the previously taped noise to deteriorate or end up being more ethereal in quality. As they played keyboard notes into this setup, the overlapping layers would develop a complex, resonating soundscape, reminiscent of ghostly echoes due to the destruction and reproduction of sound textures.

This method embodies an aesthetic that overlaps with the principles of ambient and experimental music, where the improvement and adjustment of sound create new acoustic experiences. By using such an approach, Greenwood and the band might be aiming to capture a noise that feels immersive and reflective, bring emotional weight through its repetition and developing texture.

Moreover, the concept of a "ghost repeating melody" evokes images of haunting, layered echoes that retain a form of the initial notes however are distorted through overlapping layers. This technique not just highlights the innovative spirit of the band however also illustrates how musicians can harness technology to press musical borders. In essence, Greenwood's description reveals a creative procedure that values experimentation and the expedition of sound as a meaningful tool capable of eliciting emotional depth and atmosphere in their music.