Impropod Podcast

Luke Tomlinson

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Music Interviews
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The podcast that explores the power of improvised music and it's connection to storytelling. Hosted by Luke Tomlinson. www.impropod.com

13h ago

Ep69 Halloween Special! The Haunted Painting and Instruments of Terror - Swailes, Adam Foran

In this special Halloween episode, Luke collaborates with the composer Adam Foran to Improvise some spooky soundtracks to stories told by Swailes the good witch. With tales of a haunted painting and mysterious coughing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Oct 12

Ep68 Jungle delirium and Icelandic Volcano - Ash Farkas

Luke chats with filmmaker and visual artist Ash Farkas about two extraordinary travel experiences that changed the way he sees the world. From battling fierce winds and snow on an unexpected hike in Iceland to facing illness, isolation and night terrors deep in the Amazon jungle, Ash shares stories of delirium, survival and unexpected personal growth. Luke improvises piano soundtracks to both stories, capturing the brutal struggle of the Icelandic hike, the triumphant discovery of an ancient volcano, and the oppressive atmosphere of the jungle. Together, they explore how music can transform memories, bring emotions back to life and reveal deeper meaning in experiences that might otherwise become just another anecdote. Ash also reflects on his evolving relationship with photography, the importance of being present in the moment, and how difficult experiences can leave us with a renewed sense of purpose. In this episode: Ash’s unexpected journey into an Icelandic volcano, complete with snowstorms, delirium, fairies and a lesson in putting the camera down.How a serious illness deep in the Amazon jungle led to night terrors, isolation and one unforgettable, ice-cold soft drink.How Luke uses improvised piano to capture the struggle, oppression, triumph and recovery within Ash’s stories.Why revisiting memories through music can change how we understand the past and help us find meaning when the road ahead is unclear. Follow Ash: On Instagram: @ash_farkas Follow Impropod:On Instagram: @impropodpodcastimpropod.com Filmed at Blanket Studios Bristolwww.weareblanket.com/studios Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Oct 10

Ep67 The Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity - Bob Martin

Luke talks to Bob Martin, a trial lawyer, meditation teacher and podcaster, who describes himself a taoist, buddhist christian. They talk about the surprising connections between music, spirituality and relationships. Through piano improvisations, Bob explores the emotions and imagery that emerge from listening, discovering how music can express complex ideas and tell stories without words. Bob shares the story of a turning point in his life, when an encounter with the ancient Chinese divination text, the I Ching, led him towards Taoism, Tai Chi and a deeper understanding of himself and others. He also reflects on the unexpected discoveries he made about his father after his death, uncovering hidden family history and a mysterious book that challenged his understanding of faith and the past. Along the way, Luke and Bob explore how musical notes can be like people! By the end of the episode, Bob has discovered a new way of listening to music. In this episode: How improvised piano music can evoke unexpected imagery, emotions and moments of awakening.Bob’s journey into Taoism, Tai Chi and the I Ching, and how it transformed his approach to life and his work with clients.Discovering hidden family history, his father’s mysterious possessions and a book exploring the lost years of Jesus.How music expresses closeness, distance and emotional tension, and how listening more attentively can transform our relationship with music.Follow Bob: His website: https://theflowmedia.com/His Podcast: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1709207503972027227d53af2 Follow Impropod;https://impropod.com/Instagram: @impropodpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Sep 10

Ep66 Blizard Chaos & Modular Synthesis

Luke chats with South Carolina based synthwave producer Matt Hancock, about creativity, modular synthesis and the ways music can transform personal experiences into something completely new. As Luke creates improvised piano soundtracks in response to Matt’s stories and ideas, they explore the sounds and influences behind his experimental synthwave project DecoLux, drawing on 1980s and early 1990s music, analogue gear and cassette textures. Matt shares two memorable stories from his military training: the moment he discovered that perfect snowflakes really do exist, and a chaotic winter field exercise where a blizzard knocked over their tent, leaving the group scrambling outside in their underwear in sub-zero temperatures. The stories inspire live musical collaborations across the internet, with Luke on piano, Matt uses his modular synthesizer to create atmospheric, playful and unpredictable sounds. Along the way, they discuss modular synthesis as both a compositional tool and meditative practice, the unique character of analogue instruments, and how improvisation can uncover new emotional dimensions in familiar memories. The episode also offers a glimpse into DecoLux’s upcoming album Eventide and its fusion of synthwave, pop and experimental sound. They discuss: ◼ How Matt's synthwave project DecoLux draws inspiration from 1980s and early 1990s sounds, analogue gear and cassette recordings ◼ How an improvised piano piece inspires Matt to imagine an isolated author struggling with writer's block before finding a sudden spark of inspiration ◼ How stories from Matt's military training — discovering a perfect snowflake and surviving a blizzard — become soundtracks combining tension, curiosity, chaos and humour ◼ How Luke's piano improvisation and Matt's modular synthesizer create a unique musical collaboration, exploring different ways of using sound to capture emotion and atmosphere Follow Matt: ◼ On Instagram: @deco.luxe.music ◼ On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2j3K8z15j2LdBX0pHafEwD?si=EFEfI2D0Qk6sQcZoUfmjJg Follow Impropod: ◼On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw ◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/ Follow Luke ◼On Instagram: @lukeymeankeys ◼On LinkedIn @luke-tomlinson-917ab6252/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Aug 10

Ep65 Autism and the Peril of Quicksand - Angela Kingdon

Luke talks to Angela Kingdon, co-founder of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network about autism, music and storytelling. Angela tells a story about her adventures involving Neil Finn the leader singer of Crowded House and a near death experience with quicksand in New Zealand on Kare Kare beach, and how she inspired a lyric on the song Kare Kare on the album Together Alone. She also recounts a life changing moment in Jerusalem, where walking through the ancient Jericho Gate gave her a powerful new perspective on love, relationships and her marriage. Along the way, Angela explores autistic traits including masking, monotropic focus, pattern matching and sensory regulation, and explains why music can be a powerful way to understand emotions beyond words. The discuss: ◼ How being diagnosed with autism at 39 changed the way she understood herself, and why learning to mask eventually led to burnout ◼ What happened when she sank into quicksand at Piha in New Zealand while carrying her friend’s guitar — and discovered her musical heroes ◼ Why a night-time walk through Jerusalem’s ancient Jericho Gate gave her a life-changing new perspective on love, her marriage and the need to stop chasing approval ◼ How she uses music, storytelling and autistic culture to explore emotions beyond words, and why she believes autistic traits are human traits that can enrich the world Follow Angela:https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/podcast ◼ On Instagram: @angelaintheuk The song Kare Kare by Crowded House https://open.spotify.com/track/5JBtS7Svgpao3xUyL3EGqv?si=9d64901bea7244be Follow Impropod: ◼On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw ◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/ Follow Luke: ◼On Instagram: @lukeymeankeys ◼On LinkedIn @luke-tomlinson-917ab6252/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jul 10

EP64 Bobcat Jeopardy & the Art of Podcasting - Michael Osborne

Luke chats with podcast producer, consultant and Famous & Gravy host Michael Osborne about storytelling, creativity and the surprising ways music can deepen our understanding of life's most memorable moments. As Luke creates completely improvised piano soundtracks in response to Michael's stories, they revisit two unforgettable experiences: falling asleep on the summit of a mountain after a grueling climb, and an extraordinary encounter with a bobcat while studying at the University of Montana. Their conversation ranges from podcasting and biography to neuroscience, the psychology of hard work, creativity, and the healing power of music. Along the way, they explore how improvisation can reveal emotions and perspectives hidden within our memories, turning familiar stories into something entirely new. Whether you're interested in podcasting, music, psychology, personal growth or simply hearing great stories told in a unique way, this episode is a thoughtful, funny and inspiring listen. They discuss: ◼ How people-watching, strangers and unexpected encounters can inspire improvised music, revealing the mystery of how little we really know about other people ◼ How climbing a mountain as a teenager becomes an improvised soundtrack of struggle, exhaustion, achievement, peace and the fleeting nature of happiness ◼ How an extraordinary encounter with a wild bobcat inspires music that moves from serene stillness and fear to curiosity, confidence and a surprising sense of safety ◼ How music, photography and storytelling can frame our experience of the world, awaken creativity and reconnect us with memories, nature and a sense of wonder Follow Michael: ◼Michael's website, podcast producer and consultant: https://www.fourteenthstreetstudios.com/ ◼On linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-c-osborne/ ◼Famous and gravey podcast: www.famousandgravy.com ◼From Our Neurons to Yours podcast: neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/podcast Follow Impropod: ◼On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34WsYcP0CO0urZJJLz1tOw ◼ See this episode on the podcast map at: https://www.impropod.com/ Follow Luke ◼On Instagram: @lukeymeankeys ◼On LinkedIn @luke-tomlinson-917ab6252/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jul 7

Ep63 Lake Orcrid and the Sound of Cinema - Sean Wilson

Film writer and author Sean Wilson joins Luke to explore the fascinating world of film music and the art of musical storytelling. Sean discusses his new book, The Sound of Cinema, which traces the history of cinematic scores and the composers who shaped them, from Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith to Thomas Newman, Howard Shore and John Williams. Sean shares the story of discovering the magnificent Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, an experience that reminded him of Howard Shore’s music from The Lord of the Rings and its ability to capture wonder and reverence. Luke then improvises soundtracks to Sean’s stories, including a visit to The Grapes, a historic, cosy pub in London’s Limehouse, partly owned by Sir Ian McKellen. They explore how harmony, melody and musical space can evoke anticipation, wonder, nostalgia and comfort without words—and how improvisation can transform intangible memories and experiences into music. They discuss: ◼ How film music communicates emotion through tone, harmony, intervals and atmosphere, and why directors often describe music in emotional rather than technical terms ◼ How a journey to Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia inspires an improvised soundtrack of adventure, anticipation, wonder and the awe of discovering an ancient landscape ◼ How a quiet London pub becomes the inspiration for music that captures warmth, nostalgia and sanctuary before returning to the bustle of the city ◼ How musical storytelling transforms intangible memories and impressions into something tangible, revealing the power of improvisation to connect stories, emotions and listeners Many Meetings by Howard Shore: Follow Sean: ◼On Twitter: @seano22 ◼Instagram: @seanfilmwriter ◼The Sound of Cinema, now available to pre-order from McFarland Publishing: Here Follow the Grapes pub in London Corrections: 5:52 North Macedonia, 5:16 North Macedonia, 5:52 Southern North Macedonia, 14.32 Sir Ian Mckellen is part of a shared ownership of the Grapes Pub Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Mar 27

Ep62 Psychic Sue and the Spirit of Ray Charles - Sue Witheridge

In a fascinating episode Sue Witheridge talks about her Psychic abilities and the way she can talk to spirit . She tells stories about a haunted house, evicting an angry, attached spirit from a bungalow and her healing terrier Charlie who comforted clients. As well as what it means to go to the light. Ray Charles's spirit also makes an appearance! Through stories and improvised music, Sue and Luke explore spirituality and the surprising ways music can connect with the unseen. They discuss: ◼ How Sue’s childhood experiences in a haunted house led to her discovering her psychic abilities and learning to trust what she could see and sense ◼ How the story of an attached spirit refusing to leave Sue’s bungalow becomes an improvised soundtrack of growing unease, tension, confrontation and eventual release ◼ How Sue’s much-loved terrier Charlie seemed to sense which clients needed healing, inspiring an improvised soundtrack capturing his larger-than-life personality and intuitive nature ◼ How music, spirituality and the idea of “going to the light” connect with experiences of death and the afterlife — culminating in an extraordinary experiment involving the spirit of Ray Charles and Luke’s piano playing Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trailer

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The podcast that explores the power of improvised music and it's connection to storytelling. Hosted by Luke Tomlinson. www.impropod.com

Creator

Luke Tomlinson
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

70
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Impropod
Show Website

Impropod Podcast