From writing the theme tune for the Irish Sesame Street to being commissioned by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to write a series of original songs, Duke Special has a wonderfully varied body of work under his hat.
Special by name and special by nature, Duke releases his first album since 2012s Oh Pioneers, in April.
Look Out Machines! will be released via Pledge Music. It's nothing new for the Belfast creator though – he was one of the first to launch a Pledge campaign.
With a large engaged audience always willing to support Duke's deliveries, you'll not be surprised to know that the campaign has been a roaring success.
Fans have rushed to take advantage of all sorts of extra goodies offered with the campaign – from signed copies of the CD to personal houses gigs!
Duke is currently out on an extensive UK tour, and the bus pulls in to The Stables at Wavendon on Friday (March 20).
He went On Track with Total MK...
The song that first awakened your musical senses
There was always a piano in the house and all my sisters played and and so music was all around me growing up, but the first time I remember being transfixed was the night John Lennon was killed.
I remember watching the news and then they showed a Beatles film during which the Beatles played Hide your Love Away.
That was the first time I felt something stirring inside and thinking I want to do that!
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
I use digital for checking out new music and for travelling but if I'm at a gig or in a shop I would generally go for vinyl. I collect 78RPM records for DJing with and am part of the Shellac Collective who DJ with only 78s at festivals so I have a big love of the physical format.
We're bringing out my new album on CD, vinyl and wax cylinder!
The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me'
Career advice at school wasn't overly helpful and I was advised to become a teacher or a classical pianist. It took me a while to get to the point where I thought I could actually do this. It was a proces of elimination as I gradually accepted that this is what I love and is actually the best thing I can do.
Your best on stage memory...
Headlining the Ulster Hall back in Belfast. It was sold out and everyone was singing along with the songs which was an incredible feeling.
Also, the first time I performed with an orchestra which was at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, again an amazing feeling.
And the worst gig you've ever done
When I was 19 I was playing in a band in Swindon and we performed at a youth Club. A fight broke out outside and everyone apart from a couple of people ran out to observe. Bleak.
We got paid about £15 from the tuck shop takings.
What made you take up the piano?
My Granny was a piano teacher so there was a legacy of piano playing in my family. I initially went to lessons but it was really when a guy called Martin McVitty showed me how to play chords by ear that I began to feel I could express myself.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written?
Turtle Soup by Ivor Cutler.
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
New songs are always special because they are shy and taking little tentative steps into public.
Recently I am really pleased with one called Wingman from the new record. I feel moved every time I sing it.
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Johnny Cash. I'd go and play in Folsom Prison.
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to
I love the current fusion of technology and good song writing, using technology to blend found sounds and samples to create interesting textures, sounds and rhythms but not relying on them to carry the song. The song is the thing for me, melody and words. And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?I really don't care for R&B which brags and extols the virtues of money and fame.
There are some types of country music which I struggle with, but maybe I'm just ignorant.
Finally, plug your tour and the album
Well, I'm currently on a run of over 40 solo dates which includes Milton Keynes (yay!) and the new album "Look out Machines" is out in early April. It's a good one!
> To book tickets for The Stables date, visit www.stables.org or call 01908 280800.
