Gig Gab - The Working Musicians' Podcast
438 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 42 ratingsWelcome to Gig Gab—the podcast sanctuary for working musicians and anyone fascinated by the vibrant, often unseen world behind every note played on stage. Whether you’re a musician, a member of the crew, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain to discover the secrets of live performances, you’ve found your tribe.
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Episodes
Mailbag Time!
February 21, 2022 20:45 - 44 minutes - 31.1 MBY’all filled up the mailbag, so Paul and Dave dig in and share your thoughts, questions, reactions, and more! Topics include mics to record gigs, covering rap songs, and managing your reputation. Join in the conversation with your two favorite weekend warriors and let’s have some fun together. And remember: […] The post Mailbag Time! — Gig Gab 338 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Open Your Heart to Music
February 14, 2022 22:46 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBJoin Paul and Dave as they share Valentine’s Day together, Gig Gab-style! They talk about some gear they’re loving (and some they aren’t), some music they’re loving (there’s nothing they aren’t), and the bands they love, too… and your two favorite weekend warriors also dive into the value of opening […] The post Open Your Heart to Music — Gig Gab 337 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Managing Multiple Projects
February 07, 2022 22:03 - 45 minutes - 32.2 MBIt seems almost everyone is involved in multiple musical projects these days, and there’s a lot of good which can result from that. It can also create some headaches, both logistical and emotional. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their experiences with all of this, including sharing a service […] The post Managing Multiple Projects — Gig Gab 336 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Always Be Insuring...and Collaborating
February 01, 2022 20:41 - 58 minutes - 41.2 MBIt’s another jam session, folks, this one with themes of collaboration, limberness, and insurance. Some Gear Gab enters the fold, too, along with a cool new service for collaborating with other folks recording in their homes! Listen as Paul and Dave, your two favorite weekend warriors, talk you through all […] The post Always Be Insuring…and Collaborating — Gig Gab 335 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Getting Past "Good Enough"
January 24, 2022 20:26 - 56 minutes - 39.4 MBAs musicians — as humans — we’re constantly choosing our balance point between perfection and production. Paul and Dave dig into that today with regards to being “gig ready” with songs and your show. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors share their tips and tricks for getting over the “good enough” […] The post Getting Past “Good Enough” — Gig Gab 334 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Viva La Sum Of Your Band's Parts
January 17, 2022 21:22 - 43 minutes - 30 MBIs your band special? A better question: do you know what it is that makes your band special? Does everyone in your band know? These are important questions to answer, and your two favorite weekend warriors discuss in this week’s episode. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through each of […] The post Viva La Sum Of Your Band’s Parts — Gig Gab 333 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Embracing and Tweaking Your Sales Process
January 10, 2022 20:35 - 45 minutes - 32.5 MBHaha, yeah, we know “sales process” isn’t a sexy term, but the gigs that result from it sure are! And if you don’t have a sales process, well, perhaps your two favorite weekend warriors can help you begin to create one. Listen as Paul and Dave share some things they’ve […] The post Embracing and Tweaking Your Sales Process — Gig Gab 332 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Evolving Your Band
January 03, 2022 20:10 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBThe rollover of the calendar is often a time where folks take stock of where they are and where they’re going. This year’s pull-back on gigs opens that opportunity up even more, and your two favorite weekend warriors talk through what it means to evolve your band. Listen as Paul […] The post Evolving Your Band – Gig Gab 331 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Perspective of a Year
December 28, 2021 21:15 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBYour two favorite weekend warriors slip one last episode in before the ball drops to share their thoughts about gigs, the New Year, recordings, album releases, nazis, bass players, and pick-up gigs. Yep, you read that right. But you’ll have to listen to learn more. Press play and Always Be […] The post The Perspective of a Year — Gig Gab 330 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Of Clicks and Cliques
December 13, 2021 20:04 - 51 minutes - 35.8 MBAs musicians we need to learn how to play with clicks and cliques! Metronomes are super-helpful, especially in the studio, and even to help get your live playing together. Cliques of people, well, can be a double-edged sword, can’t they? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their uses of […] The post Of Clicks and Cliques – Gig Gab 329 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Musical Mind Melding
December 06, 2021 20:16 - 55 minutes - 39.2 MBOne of the best parts about music is the non-verbal communication of it all. But there’s more mind-melding than just that, isn’t there? How about when you find yourself in lockstep with your band, with the groove, with the direction, with the harmonies, with the desires? Music can really make […] The post Musical Mind Melding — Gig Gab 328 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Songwriting, The Beatles, and You
November 30, 2021 22:06 - 53 minutes - 37.3 MBHave you ever written a song? Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk through the songwriting process, including the inspiration for getting involved in that scene in your local area. Of course, The Beatles are part of this conversation, especially with the peek into their songwriting process that the […] The post Songwriting, The Beatles, and You – Gig Gab Podcast 327 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Slowing Down The Music
November 15, 2021 20:12 - 51 minutes - 36.2 MBSometimes you slow down the music, and sometimes the music slows down. Listen as Paul and Dave muse upon both tempos and gig frequency, especially as we head into the colder, slower months here. How does your band manage tempo on stage? How does your band plan to manage the […] The post Slowing Down The Music — Gig Gab 326 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Musical Work Ethic
November 08, 2021 20:15 - 53 minutes - 37 MBHow would you rate your musical work ethic? How about your band’s? Are you all in sync? Listen as Paul and Dave tackle this question and more within the framework of their current projects…and some past ones! If there ever was an episode which epitomized your two favorite weekend warriors […] The post Musical Work Ethic — Gig Gab 325 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Dissecting Difficult Music
November 01, 2021 19:26 - 50 minutes - 36.1 MBHow does your band approach rehearsing difficult music? We all know the difference between practice and rehearsal, but some rehearsal is (way) harder than others. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their thoughts — and examples — of getting through the tough stuff. That’s not all, though! Conversations around bookings, rate […] The post Dissecting Difficult Music — Gig Gab 324 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Always Be Performing…Uniquely
October 26, 2021 19:08 - 41 minutes - 29 MBRecent years have brought about opportunities for reinvention in a lot of ways, including musical! Have you done anything different since you’ve been able to get back out there and start playing? Listen as Paul and Dave answer that question this week. Then listen as your two favorite weekend warriors […] The post Always Be Performing…Uniquely – Gig Gab 323 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Focus and Discipline
October 19, 2021 21:03 - 47 minutes - 33.5 MBProductivity is often the result of well-applied focus and discipline. How do you make this work for your band? And… what about a lack of either or both of those? Listen as Paul and Dave talk about — and show a shining example of — both of these things (or is […] The post Focus and Discipline — Gig Gab 322 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Band Leadership Styles
October 04, 2021 19:32 - 46 minutes - 32.6 MBMuch has been said over the years about keeping a band together, and this week your two favorite weekend warriors say even more. Is it helpful? Only you can decide! That’s not all, though, Dave played two gigs this weekend with some significant anomalies, and he talks through making this […] The post Band Leadership Styles — Gig Gab 321 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Gear Gab, Rehearsal Structure, and More
September 27, 2021 21:12 - 52 minutes - 37.1 MBWhen your band rehearses, what’s the expectation of everyone coming in? Is there a minimum bar to hit, or a high bar to beat? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their experiences with band rehearsals over the years. But that’s not all… Gear Gab is never far away, and […] The post Gear Gab, Rehearsal Structure, and More — Gig Gab 320 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Turning Up Your Band's Efficiency
September 21, 2021 19:27 - 55 minutes - 38.9 MBToday your two favorite weekend warriors turn their attention to efficiency and how you can make your band’s setup process happen faster, and with more consistent results. Paul had a recent gig which highlighted this for him, but I’m sure we’ve all been there, right? Do you remember? Ba Dee […] The post Turning Up Your Band’s Efficiency — Gig Gab 319 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What is a Successful Gig?
September 13, 2021 22:25 - 49 minutes - 35.3 MBWhile you’re playing…how do you define success? Is it seeing people dancing? singing? paying you money? What are the metrics you use? Hear your two favorite weekend warriors share some of their own success stories from this weekend’s gigs. Then it’s time to talk about a few logistical issues with […] The post What is a Successful Gig? — Gig Gab 318 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Do You Instruct Your Audience?
September 06, 2021 18:30 - 59 minutes - 41.7 MBDo you ever instruct your audience on how to enjoy your music? Do you instruct them to do anything else? The reality is that we all instruct our audiences in some ways, but the question is… how do we do it? Listen to Paul and Dave discuss a few scenarios, […] The post Do You Instruct Your Audience? — Gig Gab 317 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Your Band Needs a Brown M&M Clause
August 23, 2021 19:30 - 47 minutes - 33.6 MBWorking with different sound teams can always be a struggle, even when they’re the best in the business. How do you communicate with them? How do you know they’re listening? How do you convey your point without being annoying? These are just some of the questions that come up as […] The post Your Band Needs a Brown M&M Clause — Gig Gab 316 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What's Your Band's Image?
August 16, 2021 19:47 - 55 minutes - 38.9 MBHave you ever stopped to think about how “the crowd” perceives your band’s image vs. how you perceive yourselves? It’s an interesting exercise, and sometimes it’s thrust upon you. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their experiences with this. Dave had to dig into the backup-bin while his IEMs […] The post What’s Your Band’s Image? – Gig Gab 315 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Jan Hammer Talks Mahavishnu, Emerson, Hendrix, Jaco … and Getting the JuJu Happening! — Gig Gab 68 Redux
August 09, 2021 18:29 - 46 minutes - 32.5 MBLet’s go back five years together, shall we? Gig Gab was just a year old, and we all were just finding our footing here together. We had the pleasure of having Jan Hammer join us for a conversation in Gig Gab 68, and with both Paul and Dave out for […] The post Jan Hammer Talks Mahavishnu, Emerson, Hendrix, Jaco … and Getting the JuJu Happening! — Gig Gab 68 Redux appeared first on Gig Gab.
Firing On All Musical Cylinders
July 27, 2021 19:18 - 56 minutes - 39 MBOne of the reasons we all take the stage is in search of those moments where the band is just firing on all cylinders and the energy is flowing perfectly. At least that’s what Paul tells Dave this week, and Dave agrees! Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk […] The post Firing On All Musical Cylinders — Gig Gab 314 appeared first on Gig Gab.
People Behaving Like People
July 19, 2021 19:01 - 44 minutes - 31.4 MBBeing a performer often means you get to be an invisible spectator… of the crowd who is watching you! Listen as Paul and Dave share some stories (new and old!) about what they’ve watched people do from the Working Musicians’ side of the fourth wall. Then it’s time to negotiate. […] The post People Behaving Like People — Gig Gab 313 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Ever-Elusive "Great Sound"
July 12, 2021 19:25 - 24 minutes - 18.2 MBThere’s always at least a bit of a gamble in taking the stage. More often it comes up pretty standard, sometimes you get the Stage of Dread, but occasionally … every now and then … things are just perfect. Despite being a country apart, your two favorite weekend warriors each […] The post The Ever-Elusive “Great Sound” — Gig Gab 312 appeared first on Gig Gab.
More Microphones Than Cents
July 07, 2021 19:04 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBYour favorite weekend warriors had a revelation: It’s easy to have a lot of microphones! Listen as Paul and Dave answer your questions about gear, including in-ears, mixers, and PA speakers (the microphones were their idea!). Also on the docket: the sacred space that is band rehearsal. Listen, learn, and […] The post More Microphones Than Cents – Gig Gab 311 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Bands and Connections
June 30, 2021 21:27 - 47 minutes - 33.1 MBMusic connects us all, but how do you define the connection between you and your audience? You and your bandmates? Listen as Paul and Dave discuss, dissect, and even debate a few aspects of all this. Press play, enjoy, and please remember: always be performing! 00:00:00 Gig Gab 310 – […] The post Bands and Connections – Gig Gab 310 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Chasing The Perfect Gig
June 22, 2021 19:32 - 46 minutes - 32.6 MBWhat’s the definition of the perfect gig? Would you know it if you played it? If so, how will that impact the next gig? Listen as Dave and Paul talk through their recent performances and relate them to what the future will look like. Just remember, folks, even when you’re […] The post Chasing The Perfect Gig — Gig Gab 309 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Savor The Moment
June 16, 2021 19:18 - 54 minutes - 38.4 MBRemember all the great gigs you’ve played? Guess what… your next gig could be one of those! Your favorite weekend warriors talk about creating those new memories by fueling your tank with the old ones. Dave watched “What Drives Us”, Paul saw Springsteen in the Killers’ new video, they’ve both […] The post Savor The Moment — Gig Gab 308 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Basement Shows and New Faces
June 08, 2021 19:14 - 47 minutes - 33.5 MBGigs are coming back, for sure, but as what? Has your scene changed as a result of the pandemic reset? Are the same bands still out there doing there thing? Are new bands emerging? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through all this and more. Plus, Dave played a basement […] The post Basement Shows and New Faces — Gig Gab 307 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Inexpensive Gear, In-Ear Tricks, and a little Frank!
June 01, 2021 19:12 - 44 minutes - 31.3 MBWhen can you buy off-brand gear and still get the quality you need without breaking the bank? Paul and Dave talk about a few experiments they’ve recently performed and their results with not-the-name-brand stuff. Paul added a little Frank to his set recently, and it opens up a conversation about […] The post Inexpensive Gear, In-Ear Tricks, and a little Frank! – Gig Gab 306 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Brian Geller from The Atomic Punks and Ultimate Ears: In-Ear Monitors, Tribute Bands, and More!
May 24, 2021 19:30 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBBrian Geller, singer with Van Halen tribute The Atomic Punks (oh, and with a day job at Ultimate Ears) joins the show today to talk in-ears, tribute bands, and oh so much more. Listen as Brian shares his tips with Paul and Dave about getting a good in-ear mix, selecting […] The post Brian Geller: In-Ear Monitors, Tribute Bands, and More! — Gig Gab 305 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What is a Wedding Band?
May 20, 2021 20:41 - 48 minutes - 34.3 MBWhat is a Wedding Band? While there are many answers to this question, there is one which takes precedence over all others. Do you know which that is? Listen as Paul and Dave chat through this interesting topic, including hearing them share a lot of your thoughts about the transition […] The post What is a Wedding Band? — Gig Gab 304 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What's On Your Gig-Packing Checklist?
May 10, 2021 18:59 - 42 minutes - 29.9 MBAs we’re getting back to playing gigs again, we might’ve been practicing our instruments through pandemic, but most of us haven’t been practicing setting up and tearing down for gigs. It stands to reason that those first couple of gigs out might have some logistical rough edges! With that in […] The post What’s On Your Gig-Packing Checklist? — Gig Gab 303 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Uniqueness, Competition, and Ego
May 05, 2021 21:04 - 38 minutes - 28.2 MBGigs are slowly starting to happen again, so Paul brings the question: what songs are the best songs for your band to be playing? Listen as he and Dave talk through this and decide what it means to be unique. One thing’s for sure: they don’t have a unique definition […] The post Uniqueness, Competition, and Ego – Gig Gab 302 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Rough Landings and Axe Grinding
April 26, 2021 19:01 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBGigs are on the schedule, rehearsals are happening, and there’s music to be played by your two favorite weekend warriors. Still, coming out of all this pandemicking will not necessarily be any easier than getting into it, at least not for Dave. Listen as he and Paul talk through what […] The post Rough Landings and Axe Grinding — Gig Gab 301 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Getting Back to Business
April 19, 2021 18:59 - 41 minutes - 29.6 MBNew beginnings are in the air! Dave and Paul have gigs booked, Dave saw live music indoors, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Your two favorite weekend warriors even took this special day to enjoy a little detour chatting about R.E.M. Press play and enjoy, […] The post Getting Back to Business — Gig Gab 300 appeared first on Gig Gab.
David Jameson, Gig Performer and Tribute Band Extraordinaire!
April 05, 2021 22:05 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBDavid Jameson joins the show today to share his stories about playing in some of the top tribute bands in the country. Touring the world with Trey Gunn, Jerry Marotta, and more, David’s stories are both interesting and enlightening. You never know where a chance encounter is going to lead […] The post David Jameson, Gig Performer and Tribute Band Extraordinaire! — Gig Gab 299 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Social Media Management, SXSW Movies, More
March 31, 2021 20:22 - 57 minutes - 40 MBCertainly your show on stage is a reflection of your band’s brand, and so are your actions on social media. What about your fans on social media, though? They can also define who you are. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors go through all this and more. Then Dave […] The post Social Media Management, SXSW Music Movies, More — Gig Gab 298 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Tipping Tips, Streaming Styles, and SXSW
March 24, 2021 19:38 - 59 minutes - 41.4 MBAlliteration is fun, but playing music is even funner. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through some recent rehearsals, gigs, streaming projects, and more. Politics even comes up in a conversation about SXSW…but probably not the way you think. You’ll just have to listen and see! Press play and join […] The post Tipping Tips, Streaming Styles, and SXSW — Gig Gab 297 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Mixing In-Ears with The Mix Doctor
March 17, 2021 19:52 - 1 hour - 47.1 MBIt’s time to talk In-Ears, and it’s time to bring in the Big Guns. Dan East, The Mix Doctor, joins Paul and Dave today to discuss specific solutions to all your in-ear monitoring problems. Listen as Dan shares his tips and wisdom for Audio Tetris, starting with the bigger shirt, […] The post Mixing In-Ears with The Mix Doctor — Gig Gab 296 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Frictionless Reopening
March 08, 2021 22:01 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBWhat’s it going to take for you and your bandmates to all agree it’s safe to take the stage together again? What’s that first gig look like? What about the first rehearsal? What about the plan for it all? This is what Paul and Dave chew on together today, and […] The post Frictionless Reopening — Gig Gab 295 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Covers and Originals: A Battle?
March 02, 2021 20:15 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBDo you play covers? Do you play originals? Is one right or wrong? These questions seem to come up over and over again, so Paul and Dave share their views from their very different backgrounds. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors hash through this and more…and let’s see where […] The post Covers and Originals: A Battle? — Gig Gab 294 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What is a Band?
February 22, 2021 23:44 - 45 minutes - 31.9 MBWhat does it mean to “be in a band”? What does it mean to “have a band”? These things have different meanings for each of us, and there’s no incorrect answer here. Dave’s spent some time on Jamkazam, playing and grooving with people all over the world. He’s got some […] The post What is a Band? — Gig Gab 293 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Duct Tape to The Rescue
February 15, 2021 20:10 - 45 minutes - 32.3 MBGear Gab and Rant Gab and Celebration Gab all at the same time equals what? It equals Gig Gab, that’s what! Listen as Paul and Dave talk through Duct Tape, blissful ignorance, honing ones craft, and Lights/Camera/Editing on a budget! Your two favorite weekend warriors share some of their new, […] The post Duct Tape to The Rescue — Gig Gab 292 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Don't Think, Just Concentrate — Gig Gab 291
February 08, 2021 23:21 - 45 minutes - 31.7 MB‘Don’t think so much… just concentrate.’ These were the words Jaco said to a young Peter Erskine… easier said than done, but oh so right! Listen as Dave and Paul talk through their own versions of these, especially as it relates to truly learning the music you’re playing. Then it’s […] The post Don’t Think, Just Concentrate — Gig Gab 291 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Don't Get Complacent, Get Uncomfortable
February 02, 2021 21:04 - 42 minutes - 29.6 MBBefore too long, what was once challenging becomes normal and comfortable, even if the music you’re playing is universally agreed to be “challenging”. So.. what to do? Focus on your discomfort, that’s what! Paul and Dave talk through this and share some recent experiences they’ve had in this department. Then […] The post Don’t Get Complacent, Get Uncomfortable — Gig Gab 290 appeared first on Gig Gab.