The Keyboard Chronicles

John Linnell is one half of  They Might Be Giants, an American alternative rock band formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 1982. The group is known for their unique blend of alternative rock, experimental pop, and highly unconventional songwriting. John chats with us on his career to date, recent album The World Is To Dig and a great deal more.

To listen / watch:


Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel




Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Pulling together a ‘pile’ of songs for The World Is To Dig

The Linnell / Flansburgh writing and album production process

The brilliant Patrick Dillett

Sound selection for The World Is To Dig

The Critter and Guitari Organelle

Bastl Instruments

John’s long-term love of Digital Performer

They Might Be Giants live – approach in the early years as a tape-backed duo

They Might Be Giants re-create the duo years in Brooklyn in 2015.

John in action with They Might Be Giants live in 2026: Spiraling Shape

John’s discovery of the accordion

Main Squeeze accordions in New York City

The late, great Walter Kuhr and the Main Squeeze Orchestra

John’s keyboard rig in ‘the early days’

Casio CZ-101

Casio FZ-1

John’s current virtual keyboard rig with They Might Be Giants after a long and healthy relationship with the original Roland Fantom keyboard

The Marxophone

The Marxophone in action on Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) – The Doors

They Might Be Giants’ cover of the Irving Berlin song Lazy

They Might Be Giants – Who Are The Electors?

They Might Be Giants’ intergenerational appeal

Mutual thoughts on Australia’s love for They Might Be Giants (and how JJJ made a difference)

The TMBG musical vault and why it will likely stay closed

Desert Island Discs: Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books I & II BWV 846-893 – Glenn Gould, The Anthology 1931-1968 – The Mills Brothers, Songs of the Pogo – Norman Monath / Walt Kelly, The Biz Never Sleeps – Biz Markie, Oranges & Lemons – XTC

A shout out for This Might Be A Wiki

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Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
The post John Linnell, They Might Be Giants appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Mark ‘Squeezebox Wally’ Wallace is an Australian-based accordion and keyboard player, who for more than forty years has played around the world with a range of outfits including Weddings Parties Anything and Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission.  We cover a lot of that career, in addition to some discussion on accordions in contemporary music, some great desert island disc selections and a whole bunch more.

To listen / watch:


Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel




Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Mark’s musical upbringing and earning his stripes in a Scottish dance band from age 12.

Auditioning and joining Weddings Parties Anything

Wedding Parties Anything live in 1988 – Under The Clocks

Weddings Parties Anything – Streets of Forbes

Early days gigging with Weddings Parties Anything, including a residency at Fitzroy’s Jike Jika Hotel.

Weddings Parties Anything’s first album – Scorn of the Women

The Infanticide of Marie Farrar

Weddings Parties Anything – Away Away

The second album – Roaring Days

Discussion on Weddings Parties rise and rise and supporting acts like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, Steve Earle and U2.

The third album – The Big Don’t Argue

The Ballad of Peggy and Col

The fourth album – Difficult Loves

The fifth album – King Tide

Changes in band lineup and making Australia the ‘new Europe’ touring-wise.

The sixth album – Donkey Serenade

The last album – River’esque

The ending of Weddings Parties Anything, the final gigs and stage diving with an accordion

Touring with U2 and BB King

Mark in action with Sally Dastey

The brilliant Tiddas

Playing on Mick Thomas and The Sure Thing albums – including Big Geographical

The formation of Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission

Three Roving Commission songs to check out: Back in the Day, Build This, Anything You Recognise (which in part retells the discussion with Mark on the breakup of Weddings Parties Anything)

Mark’s accordions and go to keyboard: the Nord Electro 3

The solo album: Squeezebox Wally

Thoughts on musical legacy

The The – This Is The Day

Desert Island Discs: Kite – Kirsty Maccoll, Five Leaves Left – Nick Drake, Dancer With Bruised Knees – Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Moon Safari – Air, How Will The Wolf Survive? – Los Lobos, Nina Simone At Town Hall – Nina Simone.

Key links:

Become a member of our YouTube channel and receive extra content

Buy some keyboard related merchandise





Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok or LinkedIn

Complete our audience survey to help us improve!





Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

A special thanks to Tim Pyers who introduced me to Weddings Parties anything way back in 1989. Do get in touch Tim!
The post Mark ‘Squeezebox Wally’ Wallace, Weddings Parties Anything, Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Julian Emery is a UK-based songwriter, producer, and guitarist whose credits include work with artists such as Nothing But Thieves, McFly, and Lissie. This episode is a little different as Julian doesn’t play keyboards himself, but he joins the show to share his unique perspective from the producer’s chair and offers some interesting thoughts on the role keyboard players play in songs.

To listen / watch:


Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel




Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Julian’s website

Jules’ musical upbringing

Moving into production and recognising the importance of synths / keyboards in the process

Hear’Say

Working with Matt Willis and co-writing his first three singles, including Up All Night

Co-writing with McFly, including Star Girl

Building rapport and co-writing with people you are meeting for the first time

Jules’ long-term collaborative relationship with Jim Irvin

Collaboration mistakes made the hard way

The longstanding ‘gift’ of working with Nothing But Thieves.

One of Jules’ co-writes with Nothing But Thieves (and #1 hit) Trip Switch

Nothing But Thieves – Welcome to the DCC

The WASP synth

Working with Lissie across multiple albums and co-writing songs, including the breakout hit When I’m Alone

A discussion on Jules’ passion for talking on creativity and resilience.

Desert Island Discs: Back in Black – AC/DC, 2112 – Rush, Hemispheres – Rush, Denim and Leather – Saxon, Chicago X – Chicago.

Key links:

Become a member of our YouTube channel and receive extra content

Buy some keyboard related merchandise





Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok or LinkedIn

Complete our audience survey to help us improve!





Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a tas te of each guest’s creations.
The post Julian Emery, Songwriter and Producer appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Geoff Downes returns for his second appearance on the show, having originally joined us back on Episode 38. While his extensive history with Yes is well documented, this time around we focus specifically on the band’s latest album, Aurora. Geoff covers a lot of ground in this interview, and we take the opportunity to delve into his current approach to songwriting and his performance on the new record.

To listen / watch:


Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel




Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

The release of the album Aurora by Yes

Thoughts on being in the longest period of time in Yes without personnel changes, and the central role Steve Howe plays in ensuring the Yes sound

Yes – Countermovement

Paying due respect to the legacy of previous Yes keyboard players 

The keyboard sounds that are the essence of the Yes sound

The more challenging aspects of a Yes live set

Geoff’s (still huge) keyboard rig with Yes and the contrast with his rig with Asia

Proposed approach to recreating the Aurora tracks live, in a band that doesn’t use backing tracks

The importance in Yes of interplay between keyboards and guitar.

Geoff’s collaborative relationships with Steve Howe and Jon Davison.

Preparing for, and surviving a long tour.

Geoff’s pick of artists living or dead, that’d he’d love to work with.

Geoff’s admiration of Benny Andersson

Band T-Shirt Pimp: Punch Drunk Cabaret

Thumbnail picture via Yes official social media, taken by Ellis Larch

Key links:

Become a member of our YouTube channel and receive extra content

Buy some keyboard related merchandise





Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok or LinkedIn

Complete our audience survey to help us improve!





Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
The post Geoff Downes, Yes (Redux) appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Scottie Miller is an American keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and producer based in Minneapolis. Known for his blues- and roots-influenced playing style, Scottie has spent years on the road as the long-time musical director and keyboardist for Ruthie Foster. He’s also worked with Bo Diddley and Johnnie Johnson to name just two others. Alongside his work as an MD, he has maintained a steady solo career, releasing 13 albums—including his latest project, Hello Pain—and earning an induction into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame. We chat to Scottie about his approach to composition, his time on the road, and balancing a solo career with collaborative work.

To listen / watch:


Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel




Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Scottie’s past 12 months

Scottie’s album Hello Pain

Commissioning and working with a 50+ piece Budapest Scoring Orchestra 

Scottie Miller – Awake and Willing

Scottie Miller – Hello Pain title song and the impetus for the whole album

Scottie Miller – Underneath The Black Oaks

Scottie’s musical upbringing and the huge influence of the Minneapolis music scene

Working with Big John Dickerson & Blue Chamber

The Scottie Miller Band in action

Meeting and working briefly with Johnnie Johnson

Working and touring with Bo Diddley

Joining Ruthie Foster’s band

Scottie in action with Ruthie Foster  – Phenomenal Woman

Opening for Ray Manzarek and saving the day later in the night

Scottie’s rig with Ruthie Foster

Ruthie’s album Mileage and reproducing horns live

A discussion on Scottie’s (victorious) battle with depression and addiction

A message of support to other keyboard players struggling with addiction, depression or anxiety

Desert Island Discs: Self-Titled – Donny Hathaway, Feeling Good: The Very Best of Nina Simone – Nina Simone, Goin’ Back To New Orleans – Dr John, Violin Concerto / Musica Dolorosa / Viatore – Peteris Vasks, I Wanna Go Home – Otis Spann.

Key links:

Become a member of our YouTube channel and receive extra content

Buy some keyboard related merchandise





Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok or LinkedIn

Complete our audience survey to help us improve!





Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
The post Scottie Miller, Solo Artist / Ruthie Foster appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.