The Keyboard Chronicles

Daniel Minsteris is a versatile keyboardist, programmer, and musical director best known for his extensive work with visionary artists like St. Vincent and David Byrne. Widely lauded for his deep expertise in Ableton Live, Daniel is a master at bridging the gap between the studio and the stage, seamlessly integrating complex electronic production with live performance. Beyond his high-profile touring work, Daniel has made his mark as a composer. In this episode, we sit down with Daniel to discuss his unique approach to live show design, his philosophy on keeping performance rigs reliable on the road, and his experiences sharing stages with some of modern music’s most innovative acts. We also dive into specific gear preferences and the challenges of translating meticulously crafted studio albums into massive live shows.

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):  

Daniel’s past year or so

Joining David Byrne on his current ‘Who Is The Sky?’ tour

Daniel in action on the 2013 St Vincent / David Byrne ‘Love This Giant’ tour

Daniel in full mobile mode with David Byrne

Ray Suen

Daniel’s musical upbringing including early years in Lithuania

Working with Joy Askew

Joining Marianne Faithfull’s band

Daniel in action live with Marianne Faithfull

Daniel with Fernando Saunders – See The Light

The Roland A-90

Working with Peter Cincotti

Daniel with Peter Cincotti at Montreaux 2009

A discussion on playing strings and horns as a keyboard player

The Ghost Train Orchestra performing on David Byrne’s ‘Everybody Laughs’

Audio Modeling’s SWAM Strings

Meeting Annie Clark / St Vincent and joining her band

Daniel performing live with St Vincent at Glastonbury 2014

Prepping sounds for a St Vincent tour

Drummer Matt Johnson

Daniel’s conflicted thoughts on redundancy management in a complex rig 

Preparing for David Byrne’s ‘Who is the Sky?’ tour

Divisimate by Nextmidi

A detailed discussion on Daniel’s 100% wireless and mobile keyboard rig with David Byrne

Daniel live with David Byrne in 2026

Implementing a large-scale wireless MIDI rig and tracking down some critical legacy equipment

Sensory Percussion software for drummers

Fascinating discussion on developing the means to use arms / elbows  for expression pedals instead of feet, in conjunction with keyboard tech Arturo Leon.

Arduino hardware

Working with Joe Jackson on the ‘What A Racket’ tour

Daniel in action live with Joe Jackson

Working with Steve Nieve

Collaborating with Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell Ndegocello – Burn Progression

Daniel recounts two notable train wrecks

Daniel’s online course on troubleshooting MIDI and audio

Desert Island Discs: Facing You – Keith Jarrett, Homogenic – Bjork, Animals – Pink Floyd, Todo Corazon – Julio De Caro, Turangalîla-Symphonie – Olivier Messiaen

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 Daniel Mintseris, David Byrne / St Vincent / Joe Jackson / Marianne Faithfull / Meshell Ndegeocello appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Steve Nieve has been the distinctive keyboard voice beside Elvis Costello for over forty years, evolving from the new wave intensity of The Attractions to the soulful sophistication of The Imposters. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy winner his prolific career also includes work with Madness, Sting, and David Bowie, alongside his own ambitious solo compositions. We cover that all and more in our chat with Steve – one not to miss.

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):  

Steve’s busy past couple of years

Steve in action with Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Steve’s musical upbringing

Auditioning to join Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello – Less Than Zero

Memories of early gigs with The Attractions

The Vox Jaguar and the Vox Continental

A discussion on Steve’s favourite Elvis Costello and the Attractions album – This Year’s Model

Steve’s early synths

The evolution of the recording process with Elvis Costello and his band over the years

Elvis Costello and the Attractions – Blood and Chocolate

Elvis Costello and the Attractions – Imperial Bedroom

Working on a cover of Yoko Ono’s ‘ Walking on Thin Ice’ with Allen Toussaint

Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint – The River in Reverse

Working as band leader and MD in Steve Nieve & The Playboys on The Last Resort with Jonathon Ross 

Steve performing with Paul McCartney on The Last Resort with Jonathon Ross 

Doing 100 shows remotely during the pandemic

Steve Nieve and Kessada – About Love

Working on Absolute Beginners – David Bowie

Steve Nieve and Muriel Teodori – Welcome To The Voice

Sans Plomb movie

ToGetHer album

You Lie Sweetly – Steve Nieve featuring Sting

Steve in action with The Imposters 2022

On the brilliance of Pete Thomas

Collaborations with David Coulter including The Great Australian Songbook

Desert Island Discs: (yet to be released / titled) – Kessada, The Best of Satie – Erik Satie, Goldberg Variations – Uri Caine, Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder, Rough and Rowdy Ways – Bob Dylan.

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 Steve Nieve, Elvis Costello & The Imposters appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Glenn Sarangapany is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who serves as the sonic texturalist for Australian rock heavyweights Birds of Tokyo. Since joining the band in 2012, Glenn has become pivotal to their evolving sound, blending his classical piano and jazz guitar training to layer rich synthesizers and backing vocals on chart-topping albums like March Fires and Human Design. Beyond his touring work, Glenn is the founder and creative director of sound production studio Electric Sheep. We sit down with Glenn to discuss his journey from session player to full-time member and the specific gear he uses to build the band’s massive live sound.

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):  

Birds of Tokyo – Starlights

Glenn’s musical upbringing

Jebediah live

The Triffids

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts 

Glenn with Birds of Tokyo at an early gig, 2009

The challenges of a Western Australian band going on tour

Glenn’s Birds of Tokyo keyboard rig (you can also check out our seperate rig tour with Glenn here)

Making space for keyboards in a guitar heavy band

Adapting the studio recording keyboard parts to the live environment

Bird of Tokyo Live – Unbreakable

Birds of Tokyo – Anchor

Birds of Tokyo – Lanterns Live on New Year’s Eve 2025

Upcoming music from Birds of Tokyo

The joys of working with an orchestra

Birds of Tokyo live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra  – Good Lord

Electric Sheep Music

The challenges and opportunities of AI and music

Desert Island Discs: Self-Titled (Blue Album) – Weezer, OST – KPop Demon Hunters, Nevermind – Nirvana, Self Titled (Green Album) – Weezer, American Idiot – Green Day

Key links:

Buy some keyboard related merchandise





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

Complete our listener survey to help us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

Support us on Patreon and receive bonus content





Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
The post Glenn Sarangapany, Birds of Tokyo appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

In Part 2 of our chat with Neal Evans, we talk more Soulive, Jack White, The Rolling Stones, Maceo Parker 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):  

More talk on Neal’s Soulive keyboard rig

Holy Grail Reverb by Electro-Harmonix

Neal delves into his organ technique and the importance of reverb

Acoustic Samples B5 organ plugin

Discussion on Neal’s amazing left-handed ‘quirk’ and hand independence

Neal in action on a Hammond B3 Mk 2

Working with Jack White

The brilliant Louis Cato

The process of recording with Jack White

Neal in action with Jack White on Saturday Night Live, 2018

Playing five shows with Soulive in support of The Rolling Stones

Neal in action on stage with Maceo Parker and Soulive, 2016.

Soulive with John Scolfield at Bowlive

Desert Island Discs (6 curated from Neal’s much longer list): Haha Sound – Broadcast, Self-Titled – Dina Ögon, Album 2 – Louis Cole, No Sun In Venice – The Modern Jazz Quartet, Walking in Space – Quincy Jones, Sex Machine – James Brown

Key links:

Buy some keyboard related merchandise





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

Complete our listener survey to help us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

Support us on Patreon and receive bonus content





Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
The post Neal Evans, Soulive / Jack White / Moon Boot Lover (Part 2) appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.

Neal Evans is the rhythmic and melodic powerhouse behind the celebrated funk/jazz trio Soulive, widely revered for his ability to simultaneously hold down deep, pocket-driven bass lines with his left hand while laying down searing leads with his right. In Part 1 of our chat, we talk to Neal on his playing, composition and career as a whole, from his Buffalo roots to sharing stages with The Rolling Stones. We also discuss vintage gear preferences and the enduring chemistry he shares with his brother Alan Evans and guitarist Eric Krasno.

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):  

Soulive’s latest album – Flowers

Recording in Iceland

Flóki Studios in Iceland

The LMI Motor City Big Block DI

Soulive – East Side

The evolving performing and recording relationship between the three members of Soulive

Neal’s musical upbringing

Moon Boot Lover – Good Thing

Studying with Jaki Byard

Nick Mancini on Vibraphone

The parallel lives of Soulive and Lettuce

Early and later keyboards with Soulive

Roland A-30

Roland XV-5080

Break Science

Key links:

Buy some keyboard related merchandise





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

Complete our listener survey to help us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

Support us on Patreon and receive bonus content





Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.
The post Neal Evans, Soulive / Jack White / Moon Boot Lover (Part 1) appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.