Gonzales Piano Talk Show

It's official, we're obsessed with Gonzales. Who's that, you say? It's Jason Charles Beck to immigration, but music fans who read sleeve notes might recognise him as a frequent collaborator of fellow Canadians Feist and Peaches, as well as Warp's funkmeister Jamie Lidell. Others may be familiar with his solo albums, which flip between collections of perky piano-pop and easy listening ballads, and more classical instrumentals. Sometimes he even performs under the name Chilly Gonzales, his Jewish supervillain MC alter-ego, and earlier this year he broke the world record for the longest solo artist performance by playing piano for 27 hours, three minutes and 44 seconds.

Given his ivory-tickling prowess, when Gonzales found out that Andrew 'Party Hard' WK had released an improvisational piano album, he promptly challenged the performer to a live piano-off in a New York bar just last month. And how was this invitation for battle communicated? Via a YouTube video and personally delivered by Brummie laptop rapper Akira The Don.

Which brings us on to Gonzales's Pigalle residency. Every Wednesday, he'll the musical virtuoso will be staging 'piano talk shows' (which include an appearance by The Don on November 11, alongside hula-hooping hip-wiggler Marawa). Essentially, these shows are an excuse to get his mates on stage to sing with him, perform covers and lure the audience into unselfconscious participation. Last time he staged such an event, Peaches showed up to belt out Tina Turner's 'Private Dancer'.

First up, it's Jarvis Cocker on Wednesday, sassy electro-popster thecocknbullkid on November 18, and Sam Eastgate, of disco-progsters Late of the Pier on the 25th. Still not convinced you'll be entertained? Check Gonzo's online channel to see him interview himself (it includes a cameo from Cocker), and find out what happens when his record label sends him to singing lessons. This man can do no wrong.