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Impropod Podcast
Impropod Podcast episodes
- Ep8 Royalty, Death & a Misunderstanding - Dylan Allan
How do you portray drunkenness on the piano? Classical pianist Dylan Allan discuses the sound of royalty, and tells a heartfelt story about mortality and death. As well as a tale of a ridiculous misunderstanding in a pub!
Dylan reflects on his classical piano training, his experience playing in a band, and his approach to improvisation. He hears an improvised piano piece as the story of an evil king being overthrown by a compassionate queen, before sharing a deeply moving story about his grandmother’s death and the different emotional stages of grief.The conversation then takes a lighter turn with a hilarious pub story involving “piano porn”, leading to an exploration of how drunkenness might sound in music. Dylan and Luke experiment with musical ways of expressing stumbling, confusion, swaying, anger and drunkenness on the piano.They also discuss whether improvisation is best learned through music theory or experimentation, the importance of musical patterns and repetition, and how musicians can use the characteristics of everyday objects as inspiration for improvisation.Finally, Dylan tells the story of being surrounded by aggressive stray dogs on a beach in Morocco, inspiring another improvised soundtrack.They Talk about:
◼ How classical piano training, playing in a band, and musical experience influence Dylan’s approach to improvisation and spontaneous composition◼ How piano improvisation can evoke powerful images of royalty, characters, grief and mortality, turning a few musical ideas into vivid stories and emotional journeys◼ How drunkenness can be expressed through rhythm, chromaticism, stumbling melodies and repetition, and why different people might interpret the experience completely differently◼ Whether improvisation is best learned through music theory or experimentation, and how patterns, repetition, musical intuition and everyday experiences can become the building blocks of spontaneous music◼ How music can trigger memories and express experiences that can sometimes be difficult to communicate through words, from the loss of a loved one to an encounter with stray dogs in MoroccoFollow Dylan on instagram @dylana431Follow Impropod:◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/◼Follow Impropod on Instagram: @impropodpodcast◼Follow Impropod on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw
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23 min - Ep7 Dance, Venezuela China Culture Clash & Wet Socks - Carolina Minton Frias
In Episode 7 of Impropod Dancer and artist, Carolina Minton Frias tells Stories of moving continents, falling in posh rivers and they explore the musical interpretations of wet socks! As well as late night turtles and cultural clashes.
Luke talks to British-Venezuelan dancer and artist Carolina Minton Frias about childhood memories, cultural identity, dance, storytelling and the power of musical improvisation. Carolina shares vivid memories from growing up across different countries, including camping in Oman as a child and witnessing baby turtles hatching at sunrise. Luke transforms the story into an improvised piano soundtrack, using harmony, rhythm and musical texture to capture the tension, mystery and eventual magic of the experience.
The conversation then moves to Beijing, where Carolina recalls the culture shock of moving to China as a child, the 2008 Olympics, rapid urban development and the feeling of alienation that eventually led her to run away to a playground with her dog.Carolina also tells the hilarious story of falling into a koi river at school and spending the rest of the day with wet socks. Luke turns the awkward incident into a playful musical interpretation.The episode explores piano improvisation, musical storytelling, dance choreography, film scoring, memory, perception and cultural influences, revealing how personal stories can inspire spontaneous music and movement.They talk about:
◼ How childhood memories, from hatching turtles in Oman to moving to Beijing, can inspire vivid musical imagery and how improvisation can capture feelings of wonder, tension, alienation, and release◼ How stories can be broken down into emotional moments and transformed into musical scenes, using harmony, rhythm, repetition, dynamics, and musical motifs to exaggerate and communicate the narrative◼ How personal perception shapes the way we experience music, places, memories, and even fear, including Carolina’s experiences of running away, falling into a koi pond, and walking up haunted-feeling stairs◼ The relationship between music, dance, and storytelling, and how improvisation can reveal creative instincts, inspire choreography, and draw on an internal vocabulary of musical ideas and remembered soundsFollow Carolina on Instagram @carrocaticaFollow Impropod:◼See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/◼Follow Impropod on Instagram: @impropodpodcast◼Follow Impropod on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw
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22 min - Ep6 Power of musical Improv, glass staircases & Intentionality - Yoosuf Blake
In Episode 6 Luke talks to enthusiastic and entertaining music producer and songwriter Yoosuf Blake in Los Angeles. Yoosuf tells some fun childhood stories, including how he how discovered Egg Nog and a strange time in a swimming pool and they witnesses the power of musical improvisation!
Yoosuf talks about music improvisation, songwriting, music production, creativity and the art of musical storytelling. Yoosuf explains how improvisation is central to his creative process. Rather than following a fixed method, he might begin a new piece with drums, piano and keys, a melody, or even a simple voice note, allowing the music to develop naturally and spontaneously.
The conversation develops into an experiment in improvised music for storytelling. Yoosuf shares three childhood stories: a funny misunderstanding with his uncle in a garage, a frightening swimming pool accident in Marina del Rey, and a dramatic childhood confrontation involving a huge amount of eggnog!
Luke creates an improvised piano soundtrack for each story in real time, using harmony, rhythm, dynamics and musical texture to reflect and amplify the emotion of each scene. The episode also explores improvisation for film scoring and television, and how a musician can use intuition to translate a story into music without preparation or rehearsal.
Find out:
◼How a journey up a glass staircase through clouds, can be conjured up in a piece of music
◼ How Los Angeles music producer and songwriter Yoosuf Blake uses improvisation in his creative process, and why spontaneous songwriting can produce fresh musical ideas every time◼ How piano improvisation can turn childhood memories into cinematic storytelling, using harmony, melody, dynamics and emotion to create vivid scenes from simple stories◼ How Luke uses improvised piano music to score Yoosuf’s childhood stories, moving between comedy, suspense, fear and heroic resolution through musical storytelling◼ What improvisation reveals about music production, songwriting and film scoring, and how real-time musical intuition can match the emotional tone of a story without rehearsalFollow Yoosuf on instagram @ybtheprophetMore info on Yoosuf and listen to his tracks here:🕋 @syncollectivemusiclinktr.ee/ybtheprophetFollow Impropod:
◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/◼Follow Impropod on Instagram: @impropodpodcast◼Follow Impropod on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw
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18 min - Ep5 Tom Waits & the Old Bakery - Stuart Bell
In Episode 5 Luke Interviews songwriter Stuart Bell remotely in Scotland. Stoo tells stories of a surprise at Tower Records in Glasgow, after hearing Tom wait's song Martha at a friend’s house, he went to Tower Records searching for what he thought was a song called “Days of Roses”. By chance, he bought Waits’ debut album, Closing Time, and found the song he was looking for. Luke then experiments with an improvised piano style inspired by Tom Waits, using blues, jazz and swing influences.
He talks about his grandfather's bakery (with a huge Scotch oven!) Childhood explorations and elaborate birthday cakes. He also gives some great insight into his relationship with music. Luke transforms these memories into another musical improvisation, capturing the bakery’s sweetness, dust and sense of childhood fantasy.
Stoo describes the vivid images Luke’s piano improvisation creates, including a woman running through a damp autumn forest. They discuss Stoo’s visceral connection to music and his approach to improvisation and songwriting.
In this episode you'll find out:
◼ How improvised piano music can create vivid cinematic images, from a woman escaping through a damp autumn forest to the sense of stopping to catch your breath◼ How discovering Tom Waits as a student in Glasgow shaped Stoo Bell’s relationship with music, and how an accidental purchase of album Closing Time led to the discovery of the song Martha◼ How Luke experiments with blues, jazz, swing and honky-tonk influences to recreate the distinctive feel of Tom Waits through improvisation◼ How childhood memories of Stoo’s grandfather’s bakery, its Scotch oven, flour-filled atmosphere and elaborate cakes can be transformed into music, revealing the connection between storytelling, memory and musical emotionFollow Stuart Bell:Instagram:@stoo.bell,
@goldfinch_songs for originalsListen to Martha by Tom Waits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utn4J1Hr4sIFollow Impropod:◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/◼Follow Impropod on Instagram: @impropodpodcast◼Follow Impropod on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw
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18 min - Ep4 Turtle Genesis and Kibbutz - Galore Orr
Galore tells a turtle based creation story. Him and Luke discus doing Vision Quest on Dartmoor, experiencing illness, isolation, boredom and physical discomfort before discovering surrender and self-acceptance.
He talks about how his philosophy of improvisation is rooted in vulnerability, liberation and allowing whatever wants to emerge. He explores how improvised piano music can create vivid images, from jungles and mysterious spirits to waterfalls and cosmic worlds.
Galore shares stories of growing up on an Israeli kibbutz and his vision for community, shared land and a more connected future.
Through each story, Luke creates spontaneous musical soundtracks, exploring how music can express innocence, chaos, community, transformation and the journey back to connection.
Galore talks about:
◼ How an improvised piano piece takes him from a jungle full of spirits to Alice in Wonderland, a waterfall and the open sea
◼ Why he believes improvisation is one of the most vulnerable and liberating ways to express what wants to emerge◼ How growing up on an Israeli kibbutz shaped his vision for community, shared land and a more sustainable future◼ What happened during a four-day Native American vision quest in England, and how illness, isolation and discomfort led him towards surrender and self-acceptanceVision Quest:
https://www.wildandhome.co.uk/vision-quest-uk-dartmoor/Follow Impropod:
◼See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/◼Follow Impropod on instagram @impropodpodcast◼Follow Impropod on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw
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27 min - Podcast Trailer
Get the gist of the podcast without listening to it! The podcast explores people’s connection to music, Luke Tomlinson improvises soundtracks to stories, emotions and ideas on the piano. It’s available on Spotify and other platforms, or scroll down to listen to episodes.
Follow Impropod:
at: https://www.impropod.com/
on instagram: @impropodpodcast
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2 min - Ep3 One night Stand Passion, a Rooftop Threat and Adventures in India - Ben Boyd Taylor
Film-maker and teacher Ben BT tells stories of passion and confusion about a one night stand, his adventures in India involving a hair raising motorbike ride with sheer drops and rocky roads. Ben also recalls a memorable night at the University of East Anglia, sitting on a rooftop with friends, drinking, playing music and avoiding campus security as they watched the sunrise and wildlife emerge.
Through multiple improvised soundtracks, he discovers how music can communicate feelings and narratives in ways that words and images cannot.
A fascinating episode about improvisation, storytelling, film music, emotion and the subjective power of music.
Follow Ben on Instagram @benboydtaylor
Follow Impropod:
See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/Follow Impropod on instagram @impropodpodcastBen explains:
◼ How a hair-raising journey across India on the roof of a Jeep and the back of a motorbike became an unexpected musical adventure
◼ What happens when a pianist turns a real-life story into a cinematic soundtrack, capturing fear, excitement and uncertainty◼ How sneaking onto a university rooftop at night led to music, drinks, sunrise, deer and a fox wandering across campus◼ How a one-night stand can unexpectedly turn into emotional confusion, attachment and unrequited feelings
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19 min - Ep2 Cake and Runaway Cars - Alice Boyd-Taylor
Luke interviews and improvises for spoken word poet, brassica expert and cake enthusiast Alice Boyd Taylor. The episode features precarious car stories and experiments with dissonant chaos. Alice, also talks about being on a crazy truck ride at the Indian Bangladesh border, in a truckload of jackfruit.
They discuss:
◼ How stories about cake, chaotic mornings and unexpected moments can become the inspiration for improvised soundtracks
◼ How a strange car accident story can be told through music, using rhythm and dissonance to capture comedy, tension and chaos◼ How a spontaneous travel story in India inspires an improvised soundtrack of adventure, uncertainty and discovery◼ How improvisation creates a playful conversation between musician, storyteller and listenerFollow Alice:
Instagram: @alice_from_wandering_landFollow Impropod:
◼See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/◼Follow Impropod on Instagram: @impropodpodcast◼Follow Impropod on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOwTimestamps:
(00:00) Alice and Improvisation(02:00) Music, Sunshine and Tumbling Water(04:05) Uncertainty and the Cake Story(06:15) Cake, Hangovers and Breaking the Rules(08:30) Turning the Cake Story into Music(10:35) The Black Audi in the Tree(13:20) India, Adventure and the Jackfruit Journey(17:00) Improvisation, Creativity and the Unexpected
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21 min - Ep1 Crowds and healing - Carole Salmon
Have you ever visited a place to remember a lost friend? Artist and mother (to Luke!) Carole Salmon, discuss's the soundtrack to being chased through crowds, and musical heartbeats. Luke improvises a soundtrack to a story of loss and healing that takes place on Paignton beach in Devon. Carole offers feedback as Luke reshapes his improvisations, revealing how musical storytelling evolves through collaboration in much the same way in scoring a film.
They talk about:
◼ How a few carefully chosen notes can create feelings of safety, suspicion, and hesitation, and why listeners often imagine vivid scenes from abstract piano improvisation
◼ How music can express emotions like anxiety and sadness, using rhythm, harmony, and silence to tell stories without words◼ Why listener feedback is essential to the creative process, and how refining an improvisation can dramatically change its emotional impact◼ What musical intuition really is, how improvisers draw from an internal vocabulary of ideas, and why collaboration helps shape more meaningful musical storytellingFollow Carole's painting:
https://carolesalmon.com
https://shaf.org.uk/members-directory/popoff/:Follow Impropod:
◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/◼Follow Impropod on Instagram: @impropodpodcast◼Follow Impropod on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOwTimestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to Impropod
(00:59) Initial Impressions of Music(01:20) Indecisiveness and Hesitation(02:41) Word Association: Anxious(04:19) Crowd Dynamics and Emotional Weight(06:58) Musical Sequence Reflection(08:17) Word Association: Sadness(11:39) Musical Interpretation of Sadness(12:12) Feedback in the Improvisation Process(13:18) Conclusion and Invitation
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14 min
About Impropod Podcast
From the publisher's feed
The podcast that explores the power of improvised music and it's connection to storytelling. Hosted by Luke Tomlinson. www.impropod.com