The Keyboard Chronicles

Danny Silverston is an American keyboardist and founding member of the Boston-based soul-pop band Couch. Known for his warm, jazz- and funk-influenced playing style, Danny has been an integral part of the seven-piece group’s collaborative writing and production process since their formation in 2018. He recently played on the band’s 2025 debut full-length album, Big Talk, and continues to tour extensively with them across the United States and internationally. We chat to Danny on his approach to composition, performance and making two hands do maximum work on some complex pieces. Add in a very relatable train wreck story and there’s lots to enjoy.

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):  

Danny’s musical upbringing

Orange Guava Passion

Danny’s Couch connections and becoming a core member of the band

Couch in action live: Jessie

Couch’s cover of Conjunction Junction

Couch – Black Bear Lane

The importance of piano, electric piano and organ in Couch

A shout-out to the amazing Kevin Gastonguay as organ mentor

Danny breaks down his approach to a complex multi-patch and keyboard piece, Static and Noise

Danny pulling off Static and Noise live with Couch

Finding creative sonic space amongst a brass section and guitars

Couch’s collaborative songwriting approach and the challenges and opportunities it brings

Rehearsing pre-tour

Anatole Muster

Some fast playing by Danny on ‘On The Wire’

Desert Island Discs: Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder, I Am – Earth, Wind & Fire, Two Star & The Dream Police – Mk.gee, Self-Titled – Daryl Johns, Brown Sugar – D’Angelo.

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 Danny Silverston, Couch appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Paul Furness is a keyboard player and multi-instrumentalist who serves as a founding member of Brisbane indie rock mainstays Ball Park Music. Since forming the group during a university class assignment in 2008, Paul has spent nearly two decades helping anchor their melodic and eclectic sound, layering essential synthesizer textures, piano, and occasional trombone across eight studio albums. From their acclaimed debut Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs to their latest release Like Love, his meticulous approach to parts and arrangement has been a constant thread in the band’s enduring catalog. We chat with Paul about how a college project evolved into a multi-decade career, his collaborative writing process, and the gear he relies on for the stage and the studio.

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):  

Paul’s past 12 months 

Ball Park Music’s latest album Like Love

Ball Park music in action supporting Oasis last year

Playing a gig with Brisbane’s cheesiest band, The Pizzas

Approaching gigs supporting Oasis in stadiums

The first album – Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs – and working with Matt Redlich

The second album – Museum

Recording the fourth album, Every Night The Same Dream,  to analog 4-track, 1/4-inch tape

The evolution of Paul’s keyboard rig and the UDO Super 6 as a central component

Creating and feeding energy to the audience when playing live

Paul’s role as Ball Park Music’s Keep of the Statistics

Ball Park Music – Hands Off My Body 

Ball Park Music – Surrender

Plans and motivations for the future

Ball Park Music’s tour rehearsal process

A Vietnam-based challenging gig

Desert Island Discs: Night Train – Oscar Peterson, Morrison Hotel – The Doors, Whatever and Ever Amen – Ben Folds Five, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John, We Like It Here – Snarky Puppy

T-Shirt shout-out to The Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton

Key links:

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Buy some keyboard related merchandise





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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 Paul Furness, Ball Park Music appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Michael Stephen Brown is a versatile American pianist and composer best known for his solo performances, rich chamber music collaborations, and unique original works. Bridging the gap between world-class piano playing and storytelling, he has recently released his debut album of all-original music, Twelve Blocks. Showcasing his distinct creative voice, the deeply personal project features a series of musical portraits, emotional detours, and true stories brought to life alongside an impressive roster of guest performers. We chat with Michael on this and get some great insights into his approach to music and composition.

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):  

Michael’s past year

Michaels’ album – Twelve Blocks 

The process of seeking or receiving commissions for musical performances and/or compositions

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

Michael’s musical upbringing

Attending Juilliard 

Jerome Lowenthal

Samuel Adler

Ursula Oppens

Ursula Oppens and Jerome Lowenthal perform Michael’s piece Twelve Blocks, with poetry

Composing for one piano, four hands and four albums

Composing for one hand only

Breakup Etude for the Right Hand Alone

The Yaddo retreat

The Carnival of Endangered Wonders

Lake Alan

Piano from Pas de trois – Michael Stephen Brown

Composing with pencil and paper versus computer

Michael’s piano Octavia

A discussion on mental health, music and the arts

Creatives Care

Planning and rehearsing a repertoire before a show or tour

Michael’s upcoming creative works, including release of his own piano concerto

Desert Island Discs: Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring – Leonard Bernstein and London Symphony Orchestra, Live Performances 1934-1956 Vol. 1 – Art Tatum, Bach: The Goldberg Variations – Glenn Gould, Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli

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 Michael Stephen Brown, Pianist and Composer appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Peter Dasent is an incredibly versatile pianist, composer, and musical director best known for his long tenure as the resident keyboardist on ABC’s Play School, a role he has held for over two decades. While he is well known for his daily on-set improvisations for children, his impressive resume also includes leading his chamber-jazz ensemble The Umbrellas for over 30 years, as well as composing soundtracks for early Peter Jackson films like Meet The Feebles and Heavenly Creatures. We chat with Peter about that amazing history, his approach to playing and composing across so many different genres, and lots 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):  

The iconic, and Cookie Monster endorsed, Play School, turns 60

Peter’s musical upbringing

Forming SPATS alongside Fane Flaws

SPATS – New Wave Goodbye

Joining The Crocodiles alongside the brilliant Jenny Morris

The Crocodiles – Telephone Lover

The very interesting Kim Fowley

Peter’s admiration of Steve Nieve’s work

The Crocodiles – Tears

The underadmired (and according to Peter, Mushroom Records’ worst selling album ever): I Am Joe’s Music (Self-Titled)

The inimitable Lobby Loyde

Formation of The Umbrellas

The Umbrellas live

Some timely advice from Don Burrows

Moving into film composition

Peter’s work on Peter Jackson’s Meet The Feebles

The composition and recording process for Meet The Feebles

Working on Peter Jackson’s  Braindead / Dead Alive

The legendary E-mu Proteus 2

Working on Peter Jackon’s Heavenly Creatures

Working as the Pianist on Play School

Discussion on the level of improvisation required on set of Play School

Pivoting on the fly between musical genres on Play School

Working with Justine Clarke

Peter in action live with Justine Clarke

Peter’s solo work including Songs for Solo Piano

Peter in action in Studio 3 at Abbey Road

Sterling Sound in New York

Desert Island Discs: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles, Satie: Works for Piano – Aldo Ciccolini, Plays Duke Ellington – Thelonius Monk, The Fellini Album: The Film Music of Nino Rota: Nino Rota, Hot Rats – Frank Zappa.

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 Peter Dasent, Pianist / Play School / The Umbrellas appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Peter Sandberg is a Swedish neo-classical and electronic pianist and composer based in Uppsala. Known for his minimalist, felt-piano compositions and atmospheric textures, he has released several acclaimed albums including Motion, Återvända, and Midnattssol. Beyond his solo work, Sandberg’s music has reached a wide audience through high-profile placements in television series such as Stranger Things, as well as collaborations with artists like Henry Green and Arctic Lake. We chat on Peter’s career as a whole and his new album Temporary Coexistence of Humans.

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):  

Peter’s album Temporary Coexistence of Humans

A discussion on the album themes and ‘sitting at the piano’ approach to recording

Developing an intimate sound for piano

Milab / Pearl Microphones

Peter Sandberg – Motion

Peter’s recording keyboard rig beyond the piano

Hologram Electronics

Peter Sandberg – Deep

Peter’s song Deep as featured on Stranger Things

How Peter’s song was found and placed on the show

Peter’s musical upbringing and a key ‘sliding doors’ moment

Peter’s live performance rig

Desert Island Discs:  None (explained by Peter in the interview)

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 Peter Sandberg, Pianist and Composer appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.