Episodes

Oliver Wakeman has had a prolific career to date, with lots more on the horizon. Oliver talks his latest release with Clive Nolan, his musical upbringing and even a bit of tech and train-wreck. To listen, click on the player above or listen on YouTube: Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Oliver Wakeman and Rodney Matthews Nolan and Wakeman – Why Do You Hate Me? More details on the Tales by Gaslight box set Our own interview with Clive Nolan Oliver and Gord...

Josh Weinstein is a composer, arranger and keyboard player and teacher of music history. We talk everything from US East Coast vs West Coast gigging differences, why you don’t hear Billy Joel on the radio on the West Coast, music history and even a bit of gear! Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Josh’s Love and Alcohol album RAM ON: 50th Anniversary Tribute Some Bjork moments For the bonus content on Josh’s role in a Pink Floyd tribute act, go to our Patre...

In one of the wider ranging conversations we’ve ever had, we speak with Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated keyboardist and composer Michael Whalen. As you’ll hear, that is only two strings to his bow and Michael has some fascinating insights into the music industry and making a living from music in the digital age. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Deep Work by Cal Newport Michael’s Future Shock project Simon Phillips Tony Levin Karmic Dreams Elias Music ...

Veronica Lewis is a great player in the early years of what looks like will be an amazing career. Veronica tells the story of her discovery of the blues and boogie woogie, her work to date and her thoughts on her future. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Katie Webster Veronica plays live (2019) History of Beale St Barbara Blue at Silky O’Sullivan’s (on Beale St) Tag a keyboard player: Katie Webster, Otis Spann, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis Desert Island...

Alan Hewitt has had a mammoth career in film, TV and live performance. As the current keyboard player for The Moody Blues as well as leading his own band, Alan has a huge ongoing career to reflect on. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Alan Hewitt & One Nation – We’re One Nation Duffy King Billy Ashbaugh Alan performing with The Moody Blues Patrick Moraz Morton Downey Jr Show Swimming Upstream movie (which obviously does not involve Dawn Fraser) Tom Hollan...

Alan Clark was a pivotal member of Dire Straits throughout the majority of that band’s career. As you’ll hear, it was just one of many interesting experiences for a keyboard player with a storied, ongoing career. To listen click on the player above, or to listen on YouTube: Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Trevor Horn Alan’s Blog History of working men’s clubs Splinter – Streets at Night Gregg Allman and Cher Gallagher and Lyle Live – 1976 Dire Straits ...

Steve Porcaro is arguably one of the most listened to and prolific keyboard players in the world. Through his extensive session work (Michael Jackson, Don Henley, Yes to name just three), film and TV output and that small little outfit called Toto, there won’t be many people who won’t have heard Steve’s work. We attempt to capture a small snapshot of that amazing career in this interview. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Emerson, Lake and Palmer at the H...

Glenn Reither is a keyboard and sax player with one hell of a history with acts ranging from the Little River Band to Icehouse and Jon Stevens. Glenn has some great insights on playing keys, touring and a great initiative to encourage young people to get involved in rock music. There’s even a mention of clotting agents and haemophilia: who says we’re not a well rounded podcast? Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): The Rock Academy Triple J Unearthed Jon Stev...

Dan Walker has some great insights into the life of a keyboard player as part of a major touring act, as well as some great insights across performing and touring. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): K.C. Clifford – Rise Up Dan playing live with LeRoy Bell Star Anna’s Bowie Tribute Dan with Ann Wilson’s solo tour 2017 Ann Wilson – Baker Street Dan’s video tour of his touring rig Dan performing with Heart Petosa Accordions How to make a living making music –...

David K Mathews has had, and continues to have, an amazing career across a range of genres. In Part 2 of our interview (Part 1 of interview – click here), David covers off his work with Etta James and Santana. If you’re a Hammond B3 player you’ll also love the detail David goes into about his rig.. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Etta James Live Santana Live Bill Beer organ customisations Bob Schleicher’s Electronic Instrument Service The Fantasy Vocal ...

David K Mathews has had, and continues to have, an amazing career across a range of genres. In Part 1 of our interview, Dave covers off his work with Tower of Power and The Rat Band. And he’s only getting started…. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Tower of Power Dave playing with Tower of Power Elvin Bishop Chester Thompson Larry Blake’s Rathskeller Dave with The Rat Band Desert Island Discs: Coming in Part 2! Don’t forget to click on any of the subscri...

Matt Johnson has been holding down keys duties with Jamiroqaui for close to twenty years with huge skill and aplomb. We catch up with Matt to talk a bit of gear and a lot of great insight into approaching playing at this level. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Matt’s Youtube Channel Ms. Dynamite Jamiroquai – We Can Do It Matt Johnson – With The Music Album Jamiroquai Live Matt and his Moog One Matt’s Touring Rig (2018) Matt and his Prophet 10 Matt plays ...

If you think it’d be hard being in one successful band, try being in three on top of a bunch of other projects. Clive Nolan is best known for his keys work with Pendragon and Arena, but as you’ll hear he’s up to a lot more than that. Links to content mentioned during the show: Clive’s recently released book Mick Pointer Genesis – Seconds Out Matt Clifford Korg 01/W Roland A-90 Arena – Paradise of Thieves She – The Musical ‘Dragon Fire’ Chorus Beowulf saga Desert Island Discs: The Myths And Leg...

Roddy Bottum would be best known to most listeners as the keyboard player in the phenomenally successful hard rock outfit Faith No More. However as we’ll learn, Roddy is a musician with a prolific and diverse output, which includes the indie pop sensibilities of Imperial Teen, the dancey electronica of Crickets and the doomy metal of Nastie Band – all current projects. Add to this his current COVID isolation inspired collaboration with his Partner Joey Holman and his film score and opera work, i...

Peter-John Vettese is a UK-based keyboard player, composer, producer and arranger. Like so many of our guests, summarising Peter’s work within the prism of three or four artists is unfair. As you’ll hear, Peter has had, and continues to have an amazing career across the gamut of music. Strap in for a fascinating journey from the big band halls to the arenas and studios of the world. Links to content mentioned during the show: Rick Beato’s YouTube channel Weather Report – Man in the Green Shirt...

Jeff Babko is an amazingly versatile keyboard player covering TV, movies, touring and recording. In this interview, Jeff covers everything from working live on stage with Martin Short and Steve Martin, to recording with Neil Young and an orchestra. As you’ll hear, the four artists listed in this episode’s title are only the tip of the iceberg. Links to content mentioned during the show: Bruce Hornsby Julio Iglesias Dan Warner Larry Carlton Robben Ford Toto An Evening You’ll Forget For The Rest...

Jan Pulsford has had a diverse and interesting career over many years, and we take advantage of Jan’s wisdom to talk everything from playing and collaborating with Cyndi Lauper, through to performing in the virtual world of Second Life and the challenges of running a streaming service for electronic and ambient music. Links to content mentioned during the show: Melody Maker magazine Hohner Pianet Oberheim OB-Xa Geoff Downes Trevor Horn The Thompson Twins Felicia Collins Cyndi Lauper Merlyn’s m...

Saying Loren Gold is The Who’s keyboard player only provides a tiny fraction of the wider story of his career. Whether it’s playing and//or musically directing bands for Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, or playing with legends like Don Felder and Kenny Loggins, Loren has had quite the career to date and we try to cover as much of it as we can. Links to content mentioned during the show: Loren’s solo albums (Spotify link) Loren playing with The Who (Hyde Park – 2015) The Who’s 2019 release: WHO P...

Arden Altino is a highly sought after producer, but also manages to keep even busier as a touring keys player with artists such as Wyclef Jean and Melissa Etheridge. We talk with Arden on everything from playing piano on an Alicia Keys track, to Justin Beiber production approaches, being a worship musical director and a lot in-between. Links to content mentioned during the show: LaGuardia High School Jerry Wonda Melissa Etheridge and Arden Altino in Sydney, 2016 Wyclef Jean Justin Bieber – U S...

Samuel B. Lupowitz is a founding member and keys player with Ithaca NY based ‘prog-soul’ band Noon Fifteen. We talk about his love of vintage keyboards, doing a podcast about an album, lessons learnt and of course a great train-wreck story involving nothing other than an X-stand! Links to content mentioned during the show: Samuel B. Lupowitz and The Ego Band Thru Spectrums The ‘No-Dickhead Rule’ The Noon Fifteen Podcast Samuel’s gear: Wurlitzer 200, Clavinet D6, Nord Electro 4D, Crumar Mojo, R...

This episode we sit down with Lachy Doley to talk in-depth about playing the organ and clav, working as both a front man and sideman (with Glenn Hughes, Jimmy Barnes, Powderfinger and Billy Thorpe to name just four), finding your own creative niche and lots of great insights on the gigging life. Links to content mentioned during the show: Lachy playing with Jimmy Barnes – Auckland Working Class Man – Live Lachy does a walk through of his ‘whammy Clav’ Clayton Doley Live Billy Thorpe Lachy Dole...

We delve into the pop genre, speaking with Bonnie McIntosh on everything from making the transition to pop from classical music, to go-to gear and the lessons learnt when playing keyboards as part of a massive theatrical show. Links to content mentioned during the show: MI College of Contemporary Music Bonnie performing with Melanie Martinez Roland AX-Edge Desert Island Discs: The Battle of Los Angeles – Rage Against The Machine, Self-Titled – The Dresden Dolls, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City – Kendr...

Kevin Hearn is an integral part of Barenaked Ladies, but as you’ll hear in this interview, his other projects are just as amazing and Kevin provides some great insights on every one of them. If you’re a Lou Reed fan, or a Lawn Darts fan, you may enjoy this episode quite a bit. Please note this episode was recorded prior to the deaths of Dave Greenfield and Florian Schneider, hence the mentions of The Stranglers and Kraftwerk only in passing. Links to content mentioned during the show: Orchest...

We catch up with Darren Heinrich, an Australia-based jazz organist whose passion for the instrument has led him to complete a PhD in Jazz Organ Improvisation. Darren chats with us on everything from his education in jazz to his gigging approach and a lot more. Links to content mentioned during the show: Paul McNamara Toby Hall Jimmy Smith – Crazy! Baby Jimmy Smith – The Champ Darren and his trio performing live Documentary on James Morrison and Don Burrows Col Nolan Galapagos Duck Darren’s pre...