The Keyboard Chronicles

No-one deserves to be part of our Masters Series more than Don Walker. Don is one of Australia’s most iconic players and songwriters and we chat on his latest release Love Songs , his work with Cold Chisel and Tex, Don and Charlie, and a whole lot 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):  

Don Walker – Love Songs

Don’s approach to the ‘Love Songs’ album

Don Walker’s ‘Salsa song’ – Let’s All Get Together

Don Walker – Luck

The song Cold Chisel knocked back – The Girl I Used To Know

Don Walker – Darwin

The inimitable Jeff Lang

Don’s favourite piano 

The sadly now deceased Head Gap Studios

Don’s Kawaii Baby Grand piano

Don Walker – Could You Still Be Here

Don’s solo touring keyboard rig and love of the (older) Nord piano sound

Don’s musical upbringing

Developing skills on organ

The Lawrence Audio electric piano

The thankful advent of the Yamaha CP-70

Negotiating sonic space for keyboard in a guitar driven band like Cold Chisel

A discussion on some deeper Don Walker compositions for Cold Chisel:

Cold Chisel – Home and Broken Hearted

Cold Chisel – Letter to Alan

Cold Chisel – Hound Dog

Cold Chisel – Janelle

Tex, Don & Charlie – Danielle

Arranging new songs / the collaborative approach within Cold Chisel

Don’s Cold Chisel keyboard rig

Auditioning a cavalcade of Yamaha CP-70s before the 2024 tour

The formation of Tex, Don & Charlie

Don in action with Tex, Don & Charlie live, 2017

Don’s duet with Slim Dusty: Charleville

Another Don Walker composition for Slim Dusty: Looking Forward, Looking Back

Don’s admiration for Thelonius Monk and Duke Ellington

Desert Island Discs: Ellington Indigos – Duke Ellington, Self-Titled – Elvis Presley, A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles, Self-Titled – Led Zeppelin, Hymns to the Silence – Van Morrison.

A potential fiction book from Don Walker

Don’s view on a musical legacy or impact

Key links:

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Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
The post Don Walker, Solo Artist / Cold Chisel / Tex, Don and Charlie appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Lawrence Gowan is a Scottish-Canadian singer, songwriter, and keyboardist best known as the vocalist and keyboardist for the classic rock band Styx, a role he has held since 1999. Before joining the group, he forged a highly successful solo career in Canada under the stage name Gowan. His 1985 solo album Strange Animal achieved triple-platinum status, driven by hit singles such as “A Criminal Mind,” a track that has since become a staple in Styx’s live sets. An ARCT-certified classical pianist, Gowan has crossed paths with some of rock’s most respected musicians over his decades-long career. His solo records feature notable collaborations with artists including Alex Lifeson of Rush, Jon Anderson of Yes, and Robert Fripp of King Crimson. Furthermore, his breakthrough album Strange Animal was famously recorded with Peter Gabriel’s esteemed rhythm section, including bassist Tony Levin and drummer Jerry Marotta.

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 current Styx tour – the band ‘that doesn’t stop’

Styx in action live in 2026

Lawrence’s post-show wind-down routine

Styx’s latest album – Circling From Above

A discussion on reproducing Mr Roboto live

Lawrence in action on Mr Roboto, 2026

Lawrence’s amazing rotating keyboard stand

Gowan – Lost Brotherhood (the first appearance of the spinning stand, alongside Alex Lifeson)

Lawrence’s early years as a musician and the importance of classical music

The first Gowan album (self-titled)

Working with the legendary Ronnie Hawkins

Gowan – Strange Animal

Lawrence in action with Jerry Lee Lewis, Jeff Healey and a wider cast of icons, 1995

Keyboards used on Strange Animal and the ‘step down’ from a Yamaha CS-80 to a Korg Poly 61

How ‘A Criminal Mind’ became part of the Styx live set

Gowan – ..But You Can Call Me Larry

Gowan – The Good Catches Up

Gowan in action live in 2025 – Strange Animal

Two questions from supporter Tammy – a song Lawrence wishes was his and his advice to his 20-year old self

Lawrence’s wish for his musical legacy

Desert Island Discs: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles, Selling England By The Pound – Genesis, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John, A Night at the Opera – Queen

Thumbnail graphic credit: Jason Powell via Styx official IG

Key links:

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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 Lawrence Gowan, Styx / Gowan appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Richard Barbieri is best known as the keyboardist for the pioneering British new wave band Japan, as a core member of the progressive rock group Porcupine Tree and a successful artist in his own right. He is known for his unique approach to synthesis, atmospheric sound design, and textural playing style. Richard chats with us on his career to date, his distinct approach to creating sounds, 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):  

Richard’s latest album Hauntings

The inspirations that led to the recording of Hauntings

Discussion on the songs Anemoia, 1890,  Reveille / Last Post, and Artificial Obsession

A viewer question (thanks Matt G) on writing for film

Richard’s musical upbringing

Richard’s work with Japan and the mammoth Roland System 700

Richard’s keyboard rig with Japan

The unique creative relationship between Richard Barbieri and Steve Jansen

Choosing backing tracks over sequencing for less pivotal parts

One of Richard’s Japan compositions – Temple of Dawn

The transition from Japan to Rain Tree Crow

Red Earth (As Summertime Ends) – Rain Tree Crow

Formation of Jansen, Barbieri and Karn (JBK)

JBK live in 1994 – Bestial Cluster

Jansen / Barbieri and Karn – Stories Across Borders

Joining Porcupine Tree

The ‘Signify’ sessions – recording as a band

Porcupine Tree – Signify

Evolving with the heavier / more complex albums from a sonic viewpoint (and the importance of the Access Virus)

The influence of lyrics on sound design

Adjusting sound design approach for performing in larger venues

Getting used to In-Ear Monitoring

A tour of Richard Barbieri’s recording studio (see standlone studio tour video here)

Richard’s use of soft synths

Richard’s evolving approach to perforning his solo work live

Performing with The Bays

Ryuichi Sakamoto as inspiration and watching him record

Working with Marillion’s Steve Hogarth: Not The Weapon But The Hand and Arc Light

Creating presets for others and the challenges of them being applied in other people’s work

Richard’s wishes for his music in the far future

Discussion on another solo album and work to date on a potential Porcupine Tree album

Desert Island Discs: Rock Bottom – Robert Wyatt, Close To The Edge – Yes, A Moon Shaped Pool – Radiohead, Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder, Endtroducing…. – DJ Shadow

Key links:

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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 Richard Barbieri, Solo Artist / Porcupine Tree / Japan appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

In this episode we speak with Christian Dinh Gulino, a UK-based keyboard player and musical director covering everything from pop tours to video game soundtracks. Aside from his arranging and production work for Square Enix Music, he has extensively toured with artists such as Bryan Ferry, Kylie Minogue and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, alongside a long-standing working relationship with Will Young. We chat on all that and more, including some great insights into weekend corporate gigs in other countries and an Andrea Bocelli train wreck anecdote for the ages….

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):  

Christian’s musical upbringing

Playing at 12 and getting ‘roasted’ by the pros

Moving from Italy to the UK 

Early career as a player

Joining Dennis Rollins’ Badbone & Co

Auditioning for, and joining Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Using a Nord keyboard, Reason and a Dell Laptop

Christian in action with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, 2009

Working with Will Young

Christian in action with Will Young, 2015

John Newman – Love Me Again

Christian’s thoughts on the key components of a Musical Director role

Negotiating disagreements on musical direction

Working with Kylie Minogue

Christian in action live with Kyle Minogue at Glastonbury 2019

When you have six days to get your driver’s license to be able to join Kylie Minogue in Singapore

Working with Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music on their 50th Anniversary tour

Christian playing with Roxy music in 2022

The keyboard rig for Roxy Music

Composing for games / film, including the Final Fantasy franchise

Kai Kaurismaki

Christian’s two notable train wrecks

Working on Name That Tune

Desert Island Discs: Speak Like A Child – Herbie Hancock, Hotter Than July – Stevie Wonder, Off The Wall – Michael Jackson, 1996 – Ryuichi Sakamoto, 

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 Christian Dinh Gulino, Roxy Music / Kylie Minogue / Will Young appeared first on 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

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 John Linnell, They Might Be Giants appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.