This week we chat with Erik Nielsen. He was a 22-year-old help desk worker in Cleveland, Ohio when a woman he was seeing dragged him to a Marillion gig and changed his life. He ended up as Marillion's keyboard tech, moved into Mark's spare room, got deported, and — almost by accident — helped invent a model of direct-to-fan music commerce that the whole industry now takes for granted. Hear the inside story of the Freaks mailing list, the [email protected] inbox, the Guinness logo rip-off, and why Erik eventually swapped the Marillion kebab hut for working for Elton John.

This week we cover Marillion's short stint with Rod Smallwood (Iron Maiden's manager) and the Sanctuary empire, how Mark met Tallulah's mum and the origin of the song Rich. Also, the birth of music crowdfunding: how a single post on the Freaks mailing list led to fans raising $60,000 to fund a US tour. Also featuring: Neil Armstrong at a soundcheck, a phone call from the International Space Station, and a Delta Airlines domain name dispute. Next week: Eric Nielsen joins to share his memories of his time working with Marillion.

This week, Mark and Tallulah answer some listener questions. Covering everything from the choices they might have made differently in life to a fight that almost broke up the band.

This week Mark and Tallulah talk through a difficult chapter in the band’s past: being dropped by EMI, ongoing money problems, Mark nearly ending up homeless, and the lack of support from their manager who suggested day jobs for the band might be the way forward. The conversation stays surprisingly light, including stories from Mark’s tumultuous love life.

In this episode Mark and Tallulah sit down with producer Dave Meegan to explore the making of Brave.

Dave takes us inside the long nights, impossible standards, and creative tension that shaped one of Marillion’s most ambitious albums — from a French château to Liverpool over more than 7 months.

We talk about why Brave took so long, the danger of rushing creativity, and the fragile moments where everything finally locks into place.

An honest look at what it really costs to make something that lasts.

In this episode Mark and Tallulah dive deep into the making of Brave— Marillion’s most ambitious and uncompromising album. They discuss creative freedom, financial uncertainty, and the quiet decisions that laid the groundwork for the band’s independence.

In this episode Mark & Tallulah chat with Smick, Ian's drum tech from the mid 1980s and later the crew boss. Smick recounts how he started working in music and his first meeting with Marillion - and the cool reception from Ian.

He also describes the chaotic management style of John Arnison, including when he buried the band's takings in bin bags and forgot where he buried it. 

This week Mark and Tallulah dive into the writing and recording of Holidays in Eden. They get into how much a producer can steer an album, as Marillion discovered with pop-tastic Chris Neil. They talk through Marillion’s move to Hit & Run Management and the promises that never materialised. They also get into the origins of the Racket Club. Tune in for plenty of laughs and a few exciting announcements for Patreons.

Tallulah's video that we talked about in this episode -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYaBINqTvVE

Simon's Car - the How We Live song that became Cover My Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhZ2ZiwiDqg

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Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

email your questions to us at [email protected]

This week Mark and Tallulah dive into the writing and recording of Holidays in Eden. They get into how much a producer can steer an album, as Marillion discovered with pop-tastic Chris Neil. They talk through Marillion’s move to Hit & Run Management and the promises that never materialised. They also get into the origins of the Racket Club. Tune in for plenty of laughs and a few exciting announcements for Patreons.

Tallulah's video that we talked about in this episode -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYaBINqTvVE

Simon's Car - the How We Live song that became Cover My Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhZ2ZiwiDqg

Enter H and Sea-son's End (see what I did there?)

In this week’s episode Mark and Tallulah look at Chapter 13 - A Man for All Seasons. They explore one of the most pivotal points in Marillion’s history—when Steve Hogarth stepped in to replace Fish. Mark recalls the race to finish Season’s End before Fish released his solo album and Fish’s attempt to throw a spanner in the works with an injunction delivered poolside, their surreal debut gig as The Low-Fat Yoghurts in a village pub, and how a homemade hot air balloon nearly caused a fire.

They also discuss AI in music, with Tallulah offering an unfiltered verdict on Mark’s recent experimental track.

Also Mark reads Chapter 13 of his Autobiography