The Keyboard Chronicles

Gigging, Gear and Great Music

Podcast

Episode 15: Bonnie McIntosh, Selena Gomez / Melanie Martinez

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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 – Kendrick Lamar, Alive 2007 – Daft Punk, Toxicity – System of a Down

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We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 14: Kevin Hearn, Barenaked Ladies

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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:

Orchestral Flaming Lips

Look People – Live 1993

Corky and the Juice Pigs

The Rheostatics

Robert Forster – and a second song because he’s worth it

Lou Reed (with Kevin) live in 2009

Kevin Hearn – The Silent Collapse

The Cousins

The Yamaha AvantGrand N1 Piano

Desert Island Discs: The Velvet Underground & Nico, Kaya – Bob Marley and The Wailers, A Meeting By The River – Ry Cooder and V.M. Bhatt, Human’s Lib – Howard Jones. Greatest Hits – Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 13: Darren Heinrich, Darren Heinrich Trio

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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 previous releases

Desert Island Discs: Crazy! Baby – Jimmy Smith, Back in Black – AC/DC, Live! – Brother Jack McDuff, Unity – Larry Young, Star Time – James Brown

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 12: Stefano Intelisano, The BoDeans and Jason Mraz

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This episode we spend time with Stefano Intelisano, whose history and discography is so much vaster than the two acts cited in this episode title. We talk everything from working with different band leaders to Bach and the debate on sitting versus standing when playing.

Links to content mentioned during the show:

Fabrizio Poggi and Chicken Mambo

The Bodeans Live – Fadeaway

Bird’s Eye View of Stefano (and Kenny Aronoff)

Hired Gun Documentary

Boombox ATX

Stefano with Jason Mraz

David Grissom Band

Desert Island Discs: Live in Hamburg – Esbjorn Svensson Trio , It’s Snowing on my Piano – Bugge Wesseltoft, anything by Bach, Time Warp – Chick Corea Quartet, In The Jungle Groove – James Brown

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 11: Mark Baron, Gloria Gaynor and The Duprees

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Episode 11 features Mark Baron, musical director (and keyboard player) for Gloria Gaynor and also with The Duprees. Mark’s passion for what he does shines through in this interview and he provides some great insights into working across different genres and eras of music as both a keyboard player and musical director.

Links to content mentioned during the show:

Gloria Gaynor with the Metropole Orchestra

The East Coast Hall of Fame

Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge

Radial Key Largo

Kenny Vance and The Planotones

Desert Island Discs: Pictures at an Exhibition – Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Tarkus – Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin, The Grand Illusion – Styx

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 10: Andy Burton, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul / Cyndi Lauper

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Episode 10 sees us spending some time with Andy Burton, the go-to keys player for Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul and Cyndi Lauper to name just two. Andy provides some comprehensive insights into gigging, working within band dynamics and the disciplines required to be a successful player and band member.

Links to content mentioned during the show:

Ian Hunter

Rufus Wainwright

John Mayer

Cyndi Lauper

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul

Little Steve and the Disciples of Soul do The Ramones (and here’s the movie appearance!)

The Youngbloods (and their song ‘On Francis Drake’)

The Haken Continuum

Rob Schwimmer on the Continuum

The River by Baloran

Desert Island Discs: Everyone Digs Bill Evans- Bill Evans, Mono Box Set – The Beatles, The Planets – Holst, Dr John Plays Mac Rebennack (The Legendary Sessions) – Dr John, The Power and the Glory – Gentle Giant

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 9: Ellen Reid, Crash Test Dummies

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Episode 9 showcases the work of Ellen Reid, from Crash Test Dummies. Ellen covers the gamut, from touring tips and the stress of performing, through to the mystery keyboard that’s in her closet.

Links to content mentioned during the show:

God Shuffled His Feet (the song, not the album)

Ellen Reid – Cinderellen

The Optigan

Desert Island Discs: Body and Soul – Joe Jackson, The Roches (self-titled), Empty Glass – Pete Townshend, High Violet – The National, Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 8: Sandy Soon, Unlocking The Doors

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Episode 8 features Sandy Soon, keyboard player with Unlocking The Doors. Sandy explores the challenges of recreating the brilliance of Ray Manzarek and her approach to playing more broadly.

Links to content mentioned during the show:

Unlocking The Doors Live (Riders on the Storm)

Ray Manzarek explains the making of Riders on the Storm

Clayton Doley and Lachy Doley

Countdown Australia

Zoltan Budai

Richard Harvey

David ambushes his band

Desert Island Discs: Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd, Making Movies – Dire Straits, Stone Age Romeos – Hoodoo Gurus, Desperate – Divinyls, LA Woman – The Doors.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 7: Lisa Bella Donna, Composer and Synthesist

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Episode 7 sees us talk to Lisa Bella Donna, keyboard player, composer and synthesist. Lisa covers some huge ground, from the ARP 2600 to her current focus with live performance.

Links to content mentioned during the show:

Snowy Dreamscapes

The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

Antonus 2600

Heath Kits – they still exist!

Inspirations: Walter Kraft, Wendy Carlos

The ARP 2500

Korg PS-3100

A GRP Synthesizer

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith

Brooke Annibale

Portal

Lisa performing live

Desert Island Discs: Night of the Living Dead Soundtrack, Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Ralph Towner Solo Performances, Sandy Denny and The Strawbs – All Our Own Work, Slayer – Hell Awaits, Zanov – Green Ray

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)

Episode 6: Andrew Farriss, Solo Artist and INXS

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Episode 6 sees us talk to one of the greatest Australian songwriters in rock history, Andrew Farriss. Both in his current guide as a country artist or as half of the incredible songwriting partnership with Michael Hutchence that led to INXS having worldwide success, Andrew talks gigging, songwriting and of course keyboards!

Links to content mentioned during the show:

Tania Kernaghan

Lawrie Minson

Andrew Farriss – Good Momma Bad

Andrew Farriss – Come Midnight

Andrew’s keyboards and guitars over the years

Beale upright piano – 1950’s

Ace Tone portable organ with a wobbly analog tape echo 

Steinway Model B – 1990, Bluthner grand piano – 1904

Roland SH-7 synth, Roland SH-5 synth

Roland TR-707 drum machine 

Prophet 5 synth 

Fender Rhodes 73, Wurlitzer piano 

Emulator 2  sampler

Fostex 8 track tape recorder 

Pro Tools 

Roland Juno 60 synth

Roland MKS 80 & programmer, Roland JV-1080, Roland JV-1010

Fender 1956 strat, 1968 maple Gibson 340 Semi Acoustic elec guitar 

Maton 808 ACC guitar, Gibson 1947 Southern Jumbo 

Mesa Tremoverb 

Lawrie Minson Hand made analog fx pedal

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have any feedback or would like to suggest a guest (it can even be yourself!)