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
Song Selection, Cowbells, & The Professor
January 13, 2020 20:35 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBIt’s time to start off the new year by thinking about your song list. Paul and Dave have a lot to say about song selection, mostly because they’ve both made a ton of mistakes in this regard, both about songs and the process of selecting them. Learn what they’ve learned so […] The post Song Selection, Cowbells, & The Professor – Gig Gab 239 appeared first on Gig Gab.
In Search of Fair Money
December 30, 2019 20:43 - 59 minutes - 41.4 MBHow often do you go back and re-evaluate the way you play a song you’ve had in your repertoire for years? Those tunes that gain “autopilot” status are easy to ignore, but there can be value in dissecting them. Dave recently went through some of this, and has some thoughts […] The post In Search of Fair Money – Gig Gab 238 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The House Band Concept
December 18, 2019 20:23 - 50 minutes - 35 MBHave you ever been a house band? If so, or if not, what does that concept mean to you? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through the whole idea of what a house band could be, and how different folks are iterating on that idea. What can you adopt from […] The post The House Band Concept – Gig Gab 237 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Band Psychology
December 09, 2019 20:37 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBYour band is filled with people, and that means there’s a psychological component to everything you do, including keeping your band together. How actively do you and your bandmates manage that? And is that enough? That’s not all Paul and Dave talk about today, though! Dave got to see three […] The post Band Psychology – Gig Gab 236 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Just Sing It Straight
December 02, 2019 20:42 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBWhen the crowd is there to hear you, paying attention to every nuance, it’s a completely different world. Dave had the option to re-experience that recently, and talks through it all. Then it’s time to talk about your vocal technique. Dave and Paul share the lessons they’ve learned as not-professional-singers, […] The post Just Sing It Straight – Gig Gab 235 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Get Over Yourself
November 18, 2019 20:12 - 41 minutes - 29.5 MBWhat do vanity songs, iPads on stage, Nashville, and your reviews of Gig Gab all have in common? Well, they teach Paul and Dave to get over themselves and just deliver the podcast for YOU, our listeners. Yes, it’s true, your two favorite weekend warriors sometimes get stuck in their […] The post Get Over Yourself – Gig Gab 234 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Keeping it Fresh
November 11, 2019 13:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBWhat do you do to keep things fresh for your band and your audience? What more could you do? As much as we love the music, it’s not just about the music. There’s more we can all do – especially in today’s attention-distracted world – to ensure our fans are interested […] The post Keeping it Fresh – Gig Gab 233 appeared first on Gig Gab.
AD(vertising) INFINITUM
November 04, 2019 22:23 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBWhat’s it take to get you to put your pants and shoes on and leave the couch? That’s the question to ask your would-be audience when deciding how to advertise to them. You want them to get up off the couch and come to your show, so make ’em an […] The post AD(vertising) INFINITUM – Gig Gab 232 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Selling Your Band: First Contact
October 28, 2019 19:44 - 57 minutes - 39.9 MBListener Sean brings us back to the marketing table asking how best to make that very first contact with a potential club to play. Paul’s the experienced one here, and he leads us all through a great lesson on how best to make that work. It seems we’re all now […] The post Selling Your Band: First Contact – Gig Gab 231 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Rule of Three
October 22, 2019 21:27 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBDoes your band have a new song approach policy? Maybe you need to adopt the rule of three. Maybe you need to tweak the wireless frequencies of your devices. Maybe it’s good to have a conversation about trust between your bandmates. Listen, there’s a lot of maybes in the world, […] The post The Rule of Three – Gig Gab Podcast 230 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Comfy Slippers
October 07, 2019 20:07 - 1 hour - 51.2 MBThere’s a point you can get to with a band where playing together feels like putting on your favorite comfy slippers. Things are happy, things are smooth, and you have room and confidence to conquer the stage. But what happens when the slippers aren’t comfortable anymore? Or aren’t even there? […] The post Comfy Slippers – Gig Gab 229 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Finding (and leaving) Your Comfort Zone
September 30, 2019 20:15 - 49 minutes - 34.4 MBIt’s great to get your band to a place where you can just get setup and play without any issues. That’s not always easy, mind you, but it’s great. Paul and Dave both have a few stories – and a few tips – about how to make this happen… and what happens […] The post Finding (and leaving) Your Comfort Zone – Gig Gab 228 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Confidence, Inclusivity, and Nightlife Crowds vs. Music Lovers
September 23, 2019 19:36 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBIf your band can successfully employ the concept of intentional inclusivity with your crowd, you are destined for success. Listen as Paul and Dave open up this topic, and then send in your own thoughts to [email protected]. First, though, a conversation about subbing percolates to the importance of confidence. No […] The post Confidence, Inclusivity, and Nightlife Crowds vs. Music Lovers – Gig Gab 227 appeared first on Gig Gab.
(Re-)Creating Your Base of Club Gigs
September 16, 2019 20:37 - 47 minutes - 33.6 MBHave you ever had it where all the clubs you’re playing suddenly no longer want bands anymore? If you haven’t, you will. Thankfully, Paul and Dave have each been through it, and have some words of wisdom to share on the subject. First though, let’s talk about a few scenarios […] The post (Re-)Creating Your Base of Club Gigs – Gig Gab 226 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Does Your Band Have Buy-In?
September 09, 2019 19:43 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBWhen someone brings a new song in for your band to learn, what’s the process? What does it take for it to be a success? What does it take for your whole band to buy-in to the process? Listen as Paul and Dave share their successes–and failures–in this regard. They’ll […] The post Does Your Band Have Buy-In? – Gig Gab Podcast 225 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What's in Your Rider?
September 03, 2019 19:26 - 49 minutes - 34.8 MBContract riders have the stigma of being reserved for only the über-elite – and über-pompous – bands. The reality is, though, that riders can be very useful and helpful devices in ensuring not only a great performance, but a smoother gig-day experience for everyone. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their favorite […] The post What’s in Your Rider? – Gig Gab 224 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What is Your Band's Purpose?
August 23, 2019 19:43 - 46 minutes - 32.6 MBIf you were starting all over again with your band, what would you do and how would you do it? That’s the question Paul poses to Dave – and, by proxy, all of us – today. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk through all of this and a […] The post What is Your Band’s Purpose? – Gig Gab Podcast 223 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Final 45
August 14, 2019 03:43 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MBHow do you introduce new songs to your band’s setlist? This is a pretty loaded question, it turns out, and your two favorite weekend warriors chat through this. Seems it might even need some kind of intentional process, especially if you want new songs to enter your band’s top 10. […] The post The Final 45 – Gig Gab Podcast 222 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Eff That.
August 06, 2019 18:43 - 48 minutes - 33.8 MBAre you in for a rollicking good time? Enjoying your summer, either playing in the streets or watching bands playing in the streets? That’s fun! Got a player who can’t stay in the pocket? What about when the bandleader isn’t up to snuff? How about when a festival doesn’t wanna […] The post Eff That – Gig Gab Podcast 221 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Trusting Your Fellow Musicians
July 30, 2019 19:19 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBSometimes you get to go on stage with a band of musicians with whom you’ve played many times before. Sometimes you get to go on stage with musicians you’ve never met! Both can be rewarding – and a little scary! – and it seems Paul and Dave’s bicoastal synchronicity has struck once […] The post Trusting Your Fellow Musicians – Gig Gab Podcast 220 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Definition of Great
July 15, 2019 19:29 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBHow do you define “great”? More importantly: do you and your bandmates share that definition? If not, is there someone in your band to whom you all defer on that topic? How do you make sure your band comes across “great” all the time? Paul and Dave think there’s another […] The post The Definition of Great – Gig Gab Podcast 219 appeared first on Gig Gab.
I Really Wanted "Tiny Dancer"
July 08, 2019 19:18 - 50 minutes - 35.8 MBWanna hear about some cool, new gear? Wanna learn a new twist on how to have your band wish someone a happy birthday? Wanna hear some geeky stuff about how Phish appears to time their sets? How about some ideas for new venues to ply your craft? Well, Paul and […] The post I Really Wanted “Tiny Dancer” – Gig Gab Podcast 218 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Request-O-Rama
July 01, 2019 19:32 - 44 minutes - 31.3 MBNeed advice on using in-ears? Check! Want to learn how to play with a click? Check! How about managing all those wireless channels? Check! Paul and Dave have have all sorts of tips for you… and then a discussion (also tip-filled!) about requests and how to handle them. Don’t miss […] The post Request-O-Rama – Gig Gab Podcast 217 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Lost a Gig? You're Not The First
June 24, 2019 19:31 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBPlay long enough and you’ll lose a booking, it’s just how it goes. The questions are: how do you handle it? And what can you do to help keep it from happening in the first place? (Psst: sometimes you can’t!). That’s not all, though. Listener Kevin has some ideas about […] The post Lost a Gig? You’re Not The First – Gig Gab Podcast 216 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Teen Town Edition
June 17, 2019 17:55 - 53 minutes - 37.6 MBWhere can you hear about Sweet Home Alabama, Sample In a Jar, Tower of Power and, yes, Teen Town in the same place? This week’s Gig Gab Podcast, of course! Plus, for those of you who aren’t coiling cables correctly – and that includes pretty much every one of you […] The post The Teen Town Edition – Gig Gab Podcast 215 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Glass Ceiling for Cover Bands?
June 10, 2019 19:42 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBYour listener feedback this week brings Paul and Dave to some interesting places, first talking about the shortage of keyboard players, and wrapping up with a conversation about the glass ceiling for cover bands. But first, your two favorite weekend warriors got a chance to play together last week, so […] The post The Glass Ceiling for Cover Bands? – Gig Gab Podcast 214 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Analyzing Your Performances
May 30, 2019 17:17 - 45 minutes - 32 MBDo you analyze your performances after the fact? If so… how long do you wait? Paul and Dave discuss the relative merits of when this is helpful, and how. But first, a fight! Well, not really, but there’s a sternly-worded discussion to be had about sitting vs. standing at your […] The post Analyzing Your Performances – Gig Gab Podcast 213 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What’s Your Scene? – Gig Gab Podcast 212
May 21, 2019 19:47 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MBReal estate agents and musicians share a common truth: location matters. What’s your location like? What’s your scene like? Has it changed? Have you stopped recently and really evaluated what you’ve got around you? That’s what Paul and Dave do to start today’s show. Then it’s on to listener feedback, […] The post What’s Your Scene? – Gig Gab Podcast 212 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Shared Guilty Pleasures – Gig Gab Podcast 211
May 13, 2019 19:31 - 52 minutes - 37.4 MBIs it a jam session if no music is played? What if music is discussed? Your two favorite weekend warriors say, “yes!” to these questions, and start off the episode with a jam session about setlists. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through a few of their recent setlist choices […] The post Shared Guilty Pleasures – Gig Gab Podcast 211 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Martini Metric – Gig Gab Podcast 210
May 06, 2019 19:38 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBWhen you find an episode that has great catchphrases like “Woodshedding The Breaks”, “Stay Humble and Hungry”, “One Note per Word”, and “The Martini Metric”, you know it’s gonna be good. Listen as Paul and Dave, your two favorite weekend warriors, have a verbal jam session in which they not […] The post The Martini Metric – Gig Gab Podcast 210 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Down the Musical Wormhole: Reflecting, Reacting, and Reading – Gig Gab Podcast 209
April 30, 2019 19:24 - 38 minutes - 27.6 MBToday, your feedback and emails send Paul and Dave down the musical wormhole to explore topics like reading music, dealing with sound reflections, and reacting to a crowd that’s not reacting to you. Listen to your two favorite weekend warriors discuss all this and more. Press play, listen, learn a […] The post Down the Musical Wormhole: Reflecting, Reacting, and Reading – Gig Gab Podcast 209 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Gig Gab MailBag: Get Your Eyes off Your Pad – Gig Gab Podcast 208
April 22, 2019 15:00 - 41 minutes - 29.3 MBThis week finds your two favorite weekend warriors doing something they love: Digging into the mailbag! Listener Matt asks about using iPads on stage, which seems is always a hot-button topic. Eric’s curious about guitar amp simulators, Chris has a question about managing two guitars in a band, and Peter […] The post Gig Gab MailBag: Get Your Eyes off Your Pad – Gig Gab Podcast 208 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Value of The Singalong – Gig Gab Podcast 207
April 15, 2019 19:25 - 50 minutes - 35.8 MBWhen things are good you don’t think about it, but when the feel of your instrument in your hands changes… nothing else matters. That goes for what you hear in your ears, too. So much of playing music is a visceral experience, and any distractions there can really take you […] The post The Value of The Singalong – Gig Gab Podcast 207 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Care and Feeding of Your Instrument – Gig Gab Podcast 206
April 01, 2019 19:35 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBYour instruments are important to you, so you’ve got to take care of them – and that includes your voice. Paul and Dave talk through some recent troubles Dave’s been having, and then move on to properly caring for your audiences, too. It’s important to understand who your audience is […] The post Care and Feeding of Your Instrument – Gig Gab Podcast 206 appeared first on Gig Gab.
SXSW, Singalongs, & Filling Your Setlist – Gig Gab Podcast 205
March 25, 2019 20:18 - 51 minutes - 36.6 MBDave’s back from SXSW and has a few stories to share about bands he saw. First, though, he and Paul talk through expanding your setlist, specifically from the angle of purpose. Why are you adding the songs you’re adding? Are they the best way to serve your band’s show? Lastly, […] The post SXSW, Singalongs, & Filling Your Setlist – Gig Gab Podcast 205 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Mr. Jimmy Story – Gig Gab Podcast 204
March 15, 2019 20:41 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBDave’s at SXSW 2019, and he has seen more than a few things worthy of a Gig Gab discussion. First he and Paul talk through the overall vibe of SXSW, and then it’s time to get into some specifics! Amanda Palmer, Redd Volkaert, and Nashville all make cameos, but the […] The post The Mr. Jimmy Story – Gig Gab Podcast 204 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Fist Bump To The Rescue – Gig Gab Podcast 203
March 04, 2019 20:29 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MBWhat do you do when you’re approached by someone at a gig who wants more than just a friendly hello? How about dealing with a booking agent who makes promises they won’t keep? Do you sell merchandise (versus just having merchandise you can’t sell)? And… what do you do to […] The post Fist Bump To The Rescue – Gig Gab Podcast 203 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Music Mechanics – Gig Gab Podcast 202
February 25, 2019 20:31 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBMusic is about emotion, and passion, and expression, and so many other intangible things. But how do you get there? What are the mechanics that it takes to make this happen? This is where Paul and Dave’s inspiration comes from for today’s episode. How do you deal with playing with […] The post Music Mechanics – Gig Gab Podcast 202 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Propofol Airlines & The Spank Box – Gig Gab Podcast 201
February 18, 2019 20:30 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBSometimes the topics just flow. Of course, you folks do help with that… and today it’s all over the place. Paul and Dave take you on a journey that starts with revamping the airline industry, touches on the beauty of Alex Chilton’s blue-eyed-soul-inspired power pop, mentions Rick Nielsen more than […] The post Propofol Airlines & The Spank Box – Gig Gab Podcast 201 appeared first on Gig Gab.
When You’ve Got it Right, Trust Yourself – Gig Gab Podcast 200
February 11, 2019 20:28 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBSome of the greatest art comes from an artist who trusts themselves, regardless of what others are saying, and just puts it out there. This, of course, can happen in many different forms. In music, it can be the guy who came up with an infectious piano groove to change […] The post When You’ve Got it Right, Trust Yourself – Gig Gab Podcast 200 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Who Are You? Episode – Gig Gab Podcast 199
February 04, 2019 20:44 - 53 minutes - 37 MBHow many ways do you communicate your identity or that of your band? Is it in your performance? Is it in your merchandise? Is it in your stage banter? Is it on your kick drum head? Is it in your name? The answer is yes! And, of course, Paul and […] The post The Who Are You? Episode – Gig Gab Podcast 199 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Always Be Performing…With Semaphore – Gig Gab Podcast 198
January 28, 2019 20:27 - 54 minutes - 37.9 MBThis week, your two favorite working musicians dig into the now-overflowing mailbag and share your thoughts and questions with the audience. Hear Kevin’s thoughts about having your own, band-specific, portable monitor rack, DK’s thoughts about the Soundcraft Ui24R, and Martin’s question about mixing politics and music. Paul and Dave talk […] The post Always Be Performing…With Semaphore – Gig Gab Podcast 198 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Dan Meblin from Pop Fiction – Gig Gab 197
January 21, 2019 21:14 - 51 minutes - 36.1 MBDan Meblin, leader of San Francisco Bay Area band “Pop Fiction” joins Paul and Dave this week to talk through running a successful cover/party/function band. Dan and his bandmates created Pop Fiction after playing together in a band catering to a similar market, and Dan’s history includes both playing in […] The post Dan Meblin from Pop Fiction – Gig Gab 197 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Controlling Your Outward Vibe – Gig Gab Podcast 196
January 17, 2019 02:45 - 53 minutes - 37.5 MBWe often talk about stage presence, but what about off-stage presence? And how much is too much? And what happens when a fan reads more into your vibe than you intended? How do you remain appropriately distant without appearing to be aloof? Then it’s on to some Cool Stuff Found […] The post Controlling Your Outward Vibe – Gig Gab Podcast 196 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Songs, Lessons, Resolutions, and Synchronicity – Gig Gab 195
December 31, 2018 19:33 - 43 minutes - 31.5 MBIt's been 195 episodes and almost four years. Paul Kent and Dave Hamilton take you through some lessons they've learned this year. What lessons have you learned? Send 'em in to [email protected]. The post Songs, Lessons, Resolutions, and Synchronicity – Gig Gab 195 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Satisfying Setlists and Christmas Wish Lists – Gig Gab Podcast 194
December 17, 2018 20:21 - 55 minutes - 39.5 MBYour weekend warriors love gear as much as the next musician, so they each take some time to talk through a few things on their Gigging Christmas Wishlists. But first, it’s time for a few discussions. Do you have trouble memorizing your lyrics? The guys talk through their tips and […] The post Satisfying Setlists and Christmas Wish Lists – Gig Gab Podcast 194 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Know Your Place Amongst Your Fellow Musicians – Gig Gab Podcast 193
December 10, 2018 20:14 - 51 minutes - 35.8 MBDoes multitasking work? Wait, what were you doing? You were listening to Gig Gab. Press play to resume hearing Paul and Dave talk through how to know – and respect – your place amongst your fellow musicians. Lots to sort through here, folks, and your two favorite weekend warriors get the job […] The post Know Your Place Amongst Your Fellow Musicians – Gig Gab Podcast 193 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Managing Your Holiday Season Calendar & Stomp Boxes Revisited – Gig Gab Podcast 192
December 04, 2018 19:22 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBManaging calendars during the holiday season – especially December – is tough. Listen to how your two favorite weekend warriors are each addressing their December scheduling dilemmas. Then it’s time to revisit the concept of vocal stomp boxes – and stomp boxes, in general. Your comments helped open Dave’s eyes (and […] The post Managing Your Holiday Season Calendar & Stomp Boxes Revisited – Gig Gab Podcast 192 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Goblin Cock Story – Gig Gab Podcast 191
November 26, 2018 20:25 - 51 minutes - 35.9 MBAre originals part of what your band does? If not, have you ever wanted to try and fit some in if you could? Listen to Paul and Dave share their (very different!) experiences with each other about this, including Paul’s commitment for 2019, and Dave’s Goblin Cock story. Oh yes, […] The post The Goblin Cock Story – Gig Gab Podcast 191 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Stomping Out the Stomp Boxes – Gig Gab Podcast 190
November 19, 2018 21:14 - 45 minutes - 32.1 MBAre you sure you need that effects box? For your voice? In a rock band? Also, if you play a multi-band gig is it appropriate to leave before the entire evening comes to a close? And lastly, how clever are your setlists? And how clever should they be? Paul and Dave […] The post Stomping Out the Stomp Boxes – Gig Gab Podcast 190 appeared first on Gig Gab.