Welcome to another Weekend Warrior profile, where we chat to a fellow keyboard player on the front lines of music making. If you’d like to be profiled yourself, here’s how.
Say hi to Bruno! Bruno is a Sydney, Australia based keyboard player who has come back to the live scene after a bit of a hiatus.
Band Name (or names)
L.i.D
Van Orwell
What genres / eras does your band cover?
70s, 80s, 90s pop rock, synth pop
How many years have you been playing gigs?
45
What inspired you to become a keyboard player in the first place?
I was forced by my parents to learn piano and hated it until someone showed me that I could play Beatles tunes and accompany singers in church. By then, as a bit of a tech nerd, I loved synthesizers and electronic music so I bought a Korg Polysix and found myself invited to join bands as the only synth owner/player in town. Played for a while in Christian and worship bands then gave up music due to work schedule. Started again in my 50s thanks to a “weekend warrior” program, but this time playing in covers bands
What is the keyboard rig you currently use when gigging?
Hardware setup: Nord Stage 2, Korg Kronos. iPad running OnSong for chord charts and MIDI program changes
“Light” setup: iPad running Camelot Pro and AUv3s (Pianoteq, VB3m, Korg Module etc). iConnectAudio 4. Any available keyboard controller.
Is there a piece of gear you’re lusting after?
A real Hammond B3 with Leslie. A real Wurlitzer 200A.
Aside from keys duties, do you have other roles in the band?
Advertising material for one band.
Backing tracks for the other
Most memorable gig you’ve played and why was it memorable?
A jam session for my birthday where a group of friends spontaneously started playing. Just the joy and the adrenaline of playing barely known songs without set list and preparation, listening and watching the cues from the other musos.
Has anything ever gone spectacularly wrong for you at a gig that you’re happy to share?
Nothing worse than the Kronos crashing and needing a restart (fingers crossed!)
Are there songs you love or hate to play?
Hate playing Sweet Caroline. Don’t particularly like playing fake brass.
Love playing solid piano rhythm songs eg The Whole of the Moon, The Logical Song…
Also love playing reggae especially classic one drop.
Who are your keyboard player inspirations and why?
Tony Banks (not that I can play his parts), Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies (Supertramp), Tyrone Downie (Wailers)
Fantasy time: you get a call from your favourite band of all time, asking you to play keys next week at their gig. Who is that band and how would you pull it off?
Peter Gabriel. And I would panic because there’s no way I’m up to it
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Gigging more. Developing some useful products for keyboard players.
Your 5 Desert Island Discs
Genesis: Seconds Out
Peter Gabriel: Secret World Live
Kate Bush: Hounds of Love
Bob Marley and the Wailers: Exodus
Supertramp: Crime of the Century
Anything else you’d like to add?
Love the podcast! (Thanks Bruno!)
