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
Sound Sources, Merchandise and Pay – GigGab 89
November 07, 2016 21:26 - 35 minutes - 16.6 MBYou know where your amps and drums and mics go, but what about your mains? Any ideas? It’s worth not just making an assumption every time you walk into a new room, and Paul and Dave start that conversation for you. Merchandise can either be a huge benefit or a […] The post Sound Sources, Merchandise and Pay – GigGab 89 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Roberto R. Hernandez, The Unstarving Musician – GigGab 88
October 31, 2016 19:07 - 39 minutes - 18.6 MBRoberto R. Hernandez joins Paul and Dave to talk about the genesis of his new book, The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs. The discussion starts with how Roberto set about to write the book, and then opens up into more of a GigGab-style chat about some of the topics […] The post Roberto R. Hernandez, The Unstarving Musician – GigGab 88 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Analyzing the “No Analysis” Rule – GigGab 87
October 24, 2016 19:15 - 44 minutes - 20.8 MBPhish cites their new “No Analysis” rule as a foundational reason they’re still playing together. Paul and Dave take a look at this and discuss whether or not this might work in your band (or theirs!). But first, Dave’s just finished two weeks of Bitter Pill, and he debriefs the […] The post Analyzing the “No Analysis” Rule – GigGab 87 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Jerry Harvey, In-Ear Monitor Pioneer – GigGab 86
October 17, 2016 18:57 - 37 minutes - 17.7 MBJerry Harvey, founder of Ultimate Ears and JH Audio, joins your two favorite weekend warriors to talk in-ear monitors and more. Jerry has seen so much during his career that his advice likely outweighs his stories, and his stories are epic. Today he offers tips on not only mixing your in-ears, […] The post Jerry Harvey, In-Ear Monitor Pioneer – GigGab 86 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Beware The Hassle Factor – GigGab 85
October 10, 2016 19:11 - 38 minutes - 18 MBAnother crazy week for your two favorite working musicians means another episode chock full of stories and lessons learned. Dave just finished one theater show and loaded his drums in for another. The show he just finished had him and the rest of the “pit” band prominently on stage, so […] The post Beware The Hassle Factor – GigGab 85 appeared first on Gig Gab.
How to Market Your Gigs – GigGab 84
October 03, 2016 19:17 - 40 minutes - 19.1 MBIt’s one thing to put on a great show, it’s quite another to convince people to attend and put their butts in the seats or their feet on the dance floor! Today Paul and Dave talk through a few ways to market Paul’s upcoming gig on Saturday. This is a real world […] The post How to Market Your Gigs – GigGab 84 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Managing the Vibe at Gigs, Parties and Weddings
September 26, 2016 19:15 - 50 minutes - 23.2 MBWhat happens when you expect a dance crowd and get one that wants to listen intently? Every gig is different, and many times you don’t get to control the vibe of the room you walk into. The only thing you can do is control what you deliver from the stage, and […] The post Managing the Vibe at Gigs, Parties and Weddings appeared first on Gig Gab.
Falling into the Autumn Music Scene – GigGab 82
September 19, 2016 15:54 - 34 minutes - 15.9 MBAutumn is almost here for those of us in the Northern hemisphere, and the gigs change right along with the New England leaves. Even though Paul’s not in New England (or, well, not usually), he’s experiencing the end-of-summer effect with his west coast gigs, too. Listen to what your two […] The post Falling into the Autumn Music Scene – GigGab 82 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Benefits of Intimidation – GigGab 81
September 12, 2016 14:57 - 33 minutes - 15.5 MBDespite the shorter-than-usual gap between episodes, both Paul and Dave found themselves in intimidating scenarios they had to deal with in the moment. Caring about what you do and how you do it is an important trait of being a musician, and sometimes that means external factors drive you to […] The post The Benefits of Intimidation – GigGab 81 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Watch What Goes Into and Out of Your Mouth – GigGab 80
September 07, 2016 20:09 - 26 minutes - 12.2 MBBoth musicians and bandleaders alike have to make split-second decisions and then live with them long-term, and today’s show is all about being a little more thoughtful about the things that both come out of and go into our mouths. Paul and Dave share some recent lessons along these lines to prove […] The post Watch What Goes Into and Out of Your Mouth – GigGab 80 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Your Two Weekend Warriors Share a Weekend – GigGab 79
August 29, 2016 19:20 - 42 minutes - 19.8 MBIt finally happened: Dave and Paul played the gigs together that they’ve been discussing for the past few episodes. As always there are lessons that were learned, stories to tell, and sometimes both are about the same thing! Listen as these two weekend warriors share their shared weekend with all […] The post Your Two Weekend Warriors Share a Weekend – GigGab 79 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Embracing Intensity and Lessons from the Pros – GigGab 78
August 22, 2016 19:00 - 35 minutes - 16.5 MBPaul and Dave are in the final stages of their shared gig prep, but take a detour today to talk about all the other projects they each have going on and the value of embracing intensity. Then it’s time to look to the pros and learn some lessons about requests and […] The post Embracing Intensity and Lessons from the Pros – GigGab 78 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Confident vs. Overconfident Subbing – GigGab 77
August 15, 2016 19:55 - 58 minutes - 27 MBDave’s coming out to sub for The Houserockers in a couple of weeks, so it’s time for him and Paul to chat through some of the details required to ensure a good gig. Equipment, dress code, charts and confidence are the topics discussed today, and it’s a good one! On […] The post Confident vs. Overconfident Subbing – GigGab 77 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Outdoor Summer Gigs, Musical Inspirations & Uninvited Stage Visitors – GigGab 76
August 08, 2016 20:13 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MBPaul curses Dave by revisiting the subject of People Behaving Badly™, this time with the twist of discussing folks who feel the need to join your band (or any band!) on stage without invitation. Before getting into that, though, your two favorite weekend warriors discuss the joys of playing outdoor summer […] The post Outdoor Summer Gigs, Musical Inspirations & Uninvited Stage Visitors – GigGab 76 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Energy Required To Be Intimate – GigGab 75
August 01, 2016 19:15 - 54 minutes - 25 MBToday, Paul and Dave address the question a new bandleader asks about getting things started. As you might expect, your two favorite Weekend Warriors have a differing set of opinions on this, and that makes for a good podcast! First, though, it’s about how much energy it takes to play a […] The post The Energy Required To Be Intimate – GigGab 75 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Whose Mistakes Most Often Turn Into Trainwrecks? – GigGab 74
July 25, 2016 19:25 - 33 minutes - 15.4 MBPaul and Dave come together today to ponder the subject of responsibility, and that leads to discussing which instrument bears the most responsibility for keeping the train on the tracks. A thoughtful, spirited discussion ensues, and your two favorite Weekend Warriors find they’re on common ground. Drummers, you might not be […] The post Whose Mistakes Most Often Turn Into Trainwrecks? – GigGab 74 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Abbey Road and All-Star Bands – GigGab 73
July 18, 2016 19:07 - 43 minutes - 20.3 MBDave’s back from a tour of Abbey Road Studios and Paul’s in the final stages of pulling together his latest All-Star Band project, which means your two Weekend Warriors have a lot to talk about. Listen to hear all about all of this… and more! The post Abbey Road and All-Star Bands – GigGab 73 appeared first on Gig Gab.
It Pays to Leave Your Comfort Zone – GigGab 72
July 11, 2016 19:00 - 39 minutes - 18.3 MBAs it often happens, today’s show starts and stems from the gigs your two favorite weekend warriors have played … and seen! Paul and Dave talk about some of the recent lessons they’ve learned performing and watching, and it all seems to center around finding your way out of your […] The post It Pays to Leave Your Comfort Zone – GigGab 72 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Robert Berry Talks Carl Palmer, Steve Howe, Keith Emerson … and Cheerleader Camp! – GigGab 71
June 27, 2016 19:38 - 1 hour - 30.9 MBRobert Berry‘s musical career has followed his passion, and that’s led to him playing and collaborating with some of the best musicians on the planet. A true journeyman, he’s got some fantastic stories to tell, and that’s what we all love here on GigGab. Listen to the interview to hear […] The post Robert Berry Talks Carl Palmer, Steve Howe, Keith Emerson … and Cheerleader Camp! – GigGab 71 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Band Banners, Backing Tracks and In-Ears, all from the Mailbag! – GigGab 70
June 20, 2016 19:10 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBYou filled up the mailbag, Paul and Dave dig in and answer your questions. Listen today to hear your two favorite weekend warriors answer your questions about money, in-ears, hanging banners, backing tracks and much, much more! The post Band Banners, Backing Tracks and In-Ears, all from the Mailbag! – GigGab 70 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Considering Making a Living From Music – GigGab 69
June 13, 2016 19:00 - 40 minutes - 18.5 MBToday Paul and Dave answer listener Patrick, who asks, “is it too late to make a living playing music?” As Weekend Warriors, this is an interesting concept to consider, and likely one that everyone has thought of at least once. Listen to what Paul and Dave have to say… then […] The post Considering Making a Living From Music – GigGab 69 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Jan Hammer Talks Mahavishnu, Emerson, Hendrix, Jaco … and Getting the JuJu Happening! – GigGab 68
June 06, 2016 18:35 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBJan Hammer joins Paul and Dave today to share his own stories from throughout his life and career. From his start in Prague, the stories flow, including tales about Jan’s experiences with Jeff Beck, Keith Emerson, Jaco Pastorius, Neal Schon, Mahavishnu Orchestra and even Jimi Hendrix. There’s so much packed […] The post Jan Hammer Talks Mahavishnu, Emerson, Hendrix, Jaco … and Getting the JuJu Happening! – GigGab 68 appeared first on Gig Gab.
People Behaving Badly – Stories From the Stage Vol. 1 – GigGab 67
May 31, 2016 16:06 - 40 minutes - 18.5 MBGigging musicians always have stories, some of them fantastic, some tales of woe. Today your two favorite Weekend Warriors dive into the pool and pull out a few of their favorites. Listen as Paul and Dave celebrate and commiserate together, then share your stories with them, too! The post People Behaving Badly – Stories From the Stage Vol. 1 – GigGab 67 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Dance Songs and Heart Breaks – GigGab 66
May 24, 2016 20:11 - 40 minutes - 18.5 MBIt’s time for the therapy couch today, but don’t worry, it ends with dance songs, we promise! First, Paul and Dave answer some of your questions. What does it mean to be a generous musician? How much gigging is too much gigging (or is there such a concept)? These are […] The post Dance Songs and Heart Breaks – GigGab 66 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Being Ready: Vocal Rehearsals and Physical Fitness – GigGab 65
May 16, 2016 19:02 - 41 minutes - 19.1 MBPaul’s been doing a lot of vocal rehearsals lately as The Houserockers prep for their summer season, so he and Dave spend some quality time dissecting what makes a vocal rehearsal successful, including the main goal of doing such a thing. In addition, discussing that summer season prep leads your two […] The post Being Ready: Vocal Rehearsals and Physical Fitness – GigGab 65 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Putting Time and Effort Into Audience Curation – GigGab 64
May 10, 2016 15:54 - 42 minutes - 19.7 MBDo you ever take requests? Do you ever post to Facebook to promote your band? Do you ever send out an email about your gigs? Do you think that’s even close to being enough to truly curate your audience? Paul and Dave have a very revealing chat about what they […] The post Putting Time and Effort Into Audience Curation – GigGab 64 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Hearing Protection, Leading Leaders and More – GigGab 63
May 03, 2016 01:00 - 50 minutes - 23.2 MBIt’s time to open up the mailbag, folks, and with questions about convincing your band to embrace technology and learning more about hearing protection, this one is guaranteed to inform and entertain! That plus some thoughts about being led… and leading leaders. Press play and enjoy! The post Hearing Protection, Leading Leaders and More – GigGab 63 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Slack for Bands, Evaluating Your Show & a Prince-ly Chat – GigGab 62
April 25, 2016 21:01 - 47 minutes - 22 MBHow often do you take a step back and evaluate your band, both musically and visually? It’s easy for unwanted elements to creep into your songs and shows over time and, once there, they’re hard to notice without taking a step out of your own shoes and looking back. Paul […] The post Slack for Bands, Evaluating Your Show & a Prince-ly Chat – GigGab 62 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Defining Success – GigGab 61
April 18, 2016 22:45 - 50 minutes - 23.4 MBWhen you’re doing something that sits between hobby and job, how do you define success? Paul and Dave take some time out this week to explore this topic… but not before wrapping up last week’s conversation about The Disagreement™. Enjoy! The post Defining Success – GigGab 61 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Flow & Focus, Chemistry & Commitment – GigGab 60
April 11, 2016 19:24 - 46 minutes - 21.3 MBWhen you’re in a band, there are some things you can polish quickly and some things that take time. Focus is one of the former, and Paul and Dave talk through just how important it is to them. Then it’s on to the talk about both commitment and playing in multiple […] The post Flow & Focus, Chemistry & Commitment – GigGab 60 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Gig Preparation & Differentiating Yourself – GigGab 59
April 04, 2016 19:12 - 53 minutes - 24.6 MBToday your two favorite weekend warriors warm up with warming up! It’s all about what you do to prepare for a gig and how you get ready for that first downbeat. Then it’s on to a conversation about how you land that downbeat in the first place by differentiating – […] The post Gig Preparation & Differentiating Yourself – GigGab 59 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Rehearsal Sound … and a Peek Inside the Drummer’s Mind – GigGab 58
March 28, 2016 17:30 - 40 minutes - 18.8 MBPlaying on stage means (at least occasionally) playing in a rehearsal room. But how sacred is that room? Do your experiences there need to be as special as they are on stage? Do you work to make it feel and sound good in that space, or does it just serve […] The post Rehearsal Sound … and a Peek Inside the Drummer’s Mind – GigGab 58 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Live Clicks, Strained Singing, Paul Rodgers and The Cure! – GigGab 57
March 22, 2016 20:07 - 50 minutes - 23.2 MBAfter delaying a day Paul and Dave take to the mics and let their headcold-infused minds loop their way through the topics for this week’s show. Paul’s excited about some new tunes that he’s doing with The Houserockers and, well, heck, he’s excited about everything today! Hear him and Dave […] The post Live Clicks, Strained Singing, Paul Rodgers and The Cure! – GigGab 57 appeared first on Gig Gab.
In-Ear Talk & Being Inspired by Live Music – GigGab 56
March 15, 2016 04:09 - 46 minutes - 21.2 MBWell, folks, it took over a year but we all knew it had to happen sooner or later… Dave brought up the subject of this band Paul saw last night and the episode never turned back. Yep, you guessed it… Bruce Springsteen was the topic of conversation during the second-half […] The post In-Ear Talk & Being Inspired by Live Music – GigGab 56 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Working with Masters of Their Craft – GigGab 55
March 07, 2016 20:00 - 42 minutes - 19.4 MBThis week Paul and Dave have a verbal jam session, riffing off each others’ ideas and discussing whatever comes to mind. Topics include subbing, some recently-tested gear, working with masters of their craft and playing music for music’s sake. The show follows more of a flow than you might think reading […] The post Working with Masters of Their Craft – GigGab 55 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Honor Among … Musicians – GigGab 54
February 29, 2016 23:42 - 47 minutes - 21.9 MBIf a musician plays and no one is there to hear him or her, does it still matter? You bet it does, and Paul and Dave talk about why. Then it’s on to why recording yourself when you’re all alone matters, too… you’ll learn a lot from this episode, we […] The post Honor Among … Musicians – GigGab 54 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Choosing Songs… and Recording Them! – GigGab 53
February 22, 2016 19:00 - 36 minutes - 16.6 MBFLING has begun recording some of their originals and Dave talks about the process of not only getting the recording started but also just how they go about picking which tunes to record. This, of course, opens up a discussion that relates to all types of bands, including those who […] The post Choosing Songs… and Recording Them! – GigGab 53 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Money Talk and All-Star Bands – GigGab 52
February 16, 2016 04:36 - 53 minutes - 24.9 MBPaul’s been tasked with forming (another) All-Star band, this time made up of Bay Area musicians, and he and Dave discuss the options and obstacles involved with putting that together. Then it’s time to answer listener Kevin’s question about money. Always a big topic amongst weekend warriors, the Money Talk […] The post The Money Talk and All-Star Bands – GigGab 52 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Cover Band Central’s Steve Witschel – GigGab 51
February 09, 2016 18:12 - 37 minutes - 17.4 MBA weekend warrior turned full-time warrior, Steve Witschel went from working real jobs and just playing weekend gigs to playing full-time in New Orleans. He likes to say he’s a worldwide musician that gets to stay in one place because of the variety of people he sees, and he’s got the stories […] The post Cover Band Central’s Steve Witschel – GigGab 51 appeared first on Gig Gab.
What Not To Do On Stage (Paul and Dave have done it!) – GigGab 50
February 01, 2016 22:07 - 51 minutes - 23.8 MBThis week it’s all about Yacht Rock and golf. No, not really, mostly it’s about what’s the right way to present yourself on stage as Paul and Dave talk through the Seven Deadly Performance Sins … and how NOT to commit them. But there’s a little bit about Yacht Rock […] The post What Not To Do On Stage (Paul and Dave have done it!) – GigGab 50 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Benefits of Acoustic Gigs – GigGab 49
January 27, 2016 01:10 - 35 minutes - 16.4 MBPaul and Dave take some time today to discuss acoustic gigs and how they can be quite beneficial to your more rocked-up playing, too. Acoustic gigs can provide opportunity to hone your crowd-interaction chops, improve your harmonies and give you a completely different perspective on live performance. Listen to your two […] The post The Benefits of Acoustic Gigs – GigGab 49 appeared first on Gig Gab.
How Do I Get Better Gigs? (and How to Count the Intro to “Take it Easy”) – GigGab 48
January 19, 2016 23:56 - 45 minutes - 21 MBThis week Paul and Dave take on a full load of topics including introducing a new friend of the show, they talk about a new project Paul is working on and then spend a good bit of time answering a listener’s question about how to bring your band to the […] The post How Do I Get Better Gigs? (and How to Count the Intro to “Take it Easy”) – GigGab 48 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Gear Gab … and a little bit about David Bowie – GigGab 47
January 12, 2016 04:48 - 53 minutes - 24.8 MBToday your two favorite weekend warriors let their geek flags fly as they talk about (some of) their favorite gear to use at gigs and on stage. They surprised each other with some inclusions and will likely surprise you, as well. First, though, a few words about not only David […] The post Gear Gab … and a little bit about David Bowie – GigGab 47 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Coffis Brothers – GigGab 46
January 05, 2016 01:00 - 42 minutes - 19.6 MBKellen and Jamie Coffis – The Coffis Brothers – came and joined your two favorite weekend warriors to talk about what it takes to run a successful original band in today’s world. Between recording albums, touring, crafting their own events, singing harmonies, writing songs and managing band members, the Coffis […] The post The Coffis Brothers – GigGab 46 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Paul & Dave Open a Club (in their minds) – GigGab 45
December 29, 2015 04:40 - 50 minutes - 23.3 MBTonight Paul and Dave’s (fictitious) Aunt has left them some money and they’re opening a club targeted at live music. Hear what these two Weekend Warriors have to say as they Monday-morning quarterback their way through drafting a business plan for a live music venue. All manner of topics are […] The post Paul & Dave Open a Club (in their minds) – GigGab 45 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Watching Your Friends Play – GigGab 44
December 21, 2015 23:29 - 45 minutes - 21.2 MBGoing to see live music is something every musician enjoys at some level, but depending upon who is playing there might be other emotions involved. How do you feel watching your friends play? Is it different if they’re doing great versus if they’re having a bad night? Paul and Dave […] The post Watching Your Friends Play – GigGab 44 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Steve Siacotos Talks Aha! Tunes and Scene Creation – GigGab 43
December 15, 2015 04:24 - 48 minutes - 22.5 MBSan Francisco Bay Area musician Steve Siacotos has been cultivating scenes and perfecting his craft while catering to audiences for decades. In addition to learning some of Steve’s favorite “aha!” tunes, you can hear the context around some great quotes like, “the audience is as important to the music as […] The post Steve Siacotos Talks Aha! Tunes and Scene Creation – GigGab 43 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Great Swing Scare of the Mid-90s – GigGab 42
December 07, 2015 23:28 - 35 minutes - 16.4 MBAnother jam-session of an episode that covers all the bases, from Christmas music to prog rock geekery to the beginnings of fusion to playing music with people who know rock stars. All of that’s here plus all the stuff that links it together. Paul and Dave go on a musical journey […] The post The Great Swing Scare of the Mid-90s – GigGab 42 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Guitarist Matt Gibson: From a Military Career to 1MM Followers – GigGab 41
December 01, 2015 04:27 - 41 minutes - 19.3 MBGuitarist, songwriter, marketer and entrepreneur Matt Gibson joins your two favorite weekend warriors to discuss building a business as a foundation for your musical endeavors. From growing over one million followers on Google+ to starting a podcast and experimenting with Facebook ads, Matt Gibson preaches the value of “social proof,” fame […] The post From a Military Career to 1MM Followers, Guitarist Matt Gibson Shows the Way – GigGab 41 appeared first on Gig Gab.
The Rehearsal Dissection – GigGab 40
November 25, 2015 04:02 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBPaul’s straight off an airplane from Vegas. Dave literally hopped out of the drum stool from FLING rehearsal, walked five feet and sat in the podcast chair to record. This is your two favorite working musicians in a true flow state tonight, folks. Rehearsal was the topic, but it goes […] The post The Rehearsal Dissection – GigGab 40 appeared first on Gig Gab.