Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Daniel East is back for a no-agenda episode that turns into Gig Gab therapy. You’ll hear about Brit Drozda’s fifth record in pre-production, unannounced pop-up gigs built from cajon, guitar, and keys, and the Rayvel grand opening on Florida’s Space Coast, where a rocket went up over the stage during Starman. Then Daniel gets into those moments of bliss you can’t fish for…the ones that arrive because you prepared enough to stop thinking. If you’re feeling it, they’re feeling it. And when a piece of the puzzle is missing, that’s your cue to admit a gig isn’t the right fit for you and be willing to walk. Then Dave takes the couch: three gigs in a row where he became the accidental sound savior. A theater where nobody knew how Dante was routed. An outdoor stage hard-panned left with monitors EQ’d to the disco smile. A club that handed him the iPad at line check. Daniel’s prescription: an expectations agreement when you don’t have a contract, an audio tech who also speaks IT, and permission to say no. Always Be Performing is real, but you set a standard, you don’t meet one. Plus: find your clock first, and Gear Gab on Earthworks drum mics, the Kompakt 421, and why a high-pass filter beats deep EQ cuts every time. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 544 – Monday, July 27th, 2026 July 27th: Barbie-in-a-Blender Guest co-host: Daniel East 00:03:53 Brit Drozda’s new record 00:04:46 Pop-up gigs! Cajon, Guitar, Keys Stage Ninja Cables 00:06:58 Chad Ely Productions Rayvel – Joe Ciaudelli’s involved Rocket launching during a performance of Starman Dan Lawson Chowtoberfest VII September 12th, 2026, Fence Road Farm Brewery in Warwick, NY. Benefits To Write Love On Her Arms and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Bo Bice on the lineup 00:12:46 Those moments of bliss on stage 00:16:21 If you’re feeling it, they’re feeling it Find the groove Preparation helps Shoutout to Paul Kent! 00:22:16 Recognizing when a gig is not the right fit for YOU 00:24:46 Nobody’s Perfect 00:25:11 SPONSOR: Warby Parker – Our listeners can buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/GIGGAB — and using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #ad 00:27:21 Dave’s Had Three Gigs…and needs therapy Allen Heath SQ7 00:40:12 Were there contracts? 00:41:59 Option A: Bring your own audio tech with you to every gig And your audio tech also needs to be versed in IT @groovepocket80 – Joe Cabrera 00:46:33 Finding the people who are skilled AND humble Jason Banta, FOH engineer Marty Garcia, new Future Sonics IEMs 00:51:12 Back to the solution A contract or expectations agreement Find help, have help, learn how to find help Have the venue/gig hire someone professionally trained 00:53:04 Pave the path to enforce my Dave Bang Drum ethos Don’t be afraid to walk away You set a standard, you don’t meet a standard – be the example of what 00:59:33 Diagnosing Dante FIND YOUR CLOCK FIRST 01:04:30 Solving Dante issues in the future Move fast, break things 01:11:11 Gear Gab: Sennheiser MK4 SSL 2 MkII Interface Earthworks Drum Mics SR20 Gen2 overheads DM17 Snare Drum & Tom Mic DM20 G2 – great for toms! Kompakt 421 01:20:16 Sound summarization! Minimal EQ, but don’t forget about your high pass filters De-Feedback on Gig Gab And Time Alignment is important 01:24:23 Gig Gab 544 Outtro Follow Daniel East DanielEast.net @eastd and @themixdoctor Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post When Your Worlds Collide…and the Drummer Becomes the Sound Guy – Gig Gab 544 with Dan East appeared first on Gig Gab.

Episode 543 lands on National Fortune Cookie Day, and guest co-host Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe of NUGEN Audio opens by demystifying how your masters actually translate across streaming. You learn that MasterCheck lets you audition one master against every platform before release day blindsides you, because you should still submit a single master everywhere, not a separate file per service. From there you dig into possible reasons why Spotify felt so flat for so long, the crucial difference between data compression and dynamic compression as a way to tame your audio, and how compression ratios shape the result. Then Freddy flips to the gigging life: guitar and vocals in Thank, bass in the gleefully unappealing Solderer, touring Europe and the UK on DIY tours he’s been booking since 2014. You’ll chew on his theory that drummers can fake their way through a set more easily than anyone else, the cover-band mentality (Tommy Igoe’s gospel: he’ll teach you to play other people’s music, not your originals), and playing for the nerds who clock every groove (like the white-knuckle eleven-beat break in Steely Dan’s Josie). The throughline is reading the room, even when it’s the wrong room: sometimes the crowd’s on mushrooms, sometimes you just throw them a party regardless, and either way you Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 543 – Monday, July 20th, 2026 July 20th: National Fortune Cookie Day Guest co-host: Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe of NUGEN Audio 00:01:56 NUGEN’s MasterCheck plugin Still submit one master to all platforms, but MasterCheck helps you ensure that your one master sounds good everywhere 00:05:04 Why did Spotify sound so flat for so long? Spotify is normalized to -14 LUFS 00:07:24 Data compression vs. Dynamic compression Dynamic compression is a way of taming the audio Auphonic Waves NS1 00:15:14 Compression Ratios 00:18:44 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab 00:20:17 Freddy, the gigging musicians Guitarist and vocalist in a band called, Thank Plays Bass in Solderer, deliberately unappealing Touring regularly throughout Europe & UK 00:24:17 DIY Booking of Tours Freddy has been booking DIY tours since 2014 00:27:45 Dave’s gigging schedule 00:31:15 Freddy’s theory about drummers Drummers can fake it more easily! 00:36:30 Wedding bands … that aren’t wedding bands 00:37:31 Cover band mentality Tommy Igoe: I’m not going to teach you how to play in your original band, I’m going to teach you how to play other people’s thing Playing for nerds The 11-beat break in Josie 00:47:35 Unexpected grooves and parts 00:50:52 Realizing the audience is the wrong audience Mushrooms help the audience! 00:59:44 Special offer from NUGEN – 30% off of a bunch of plugins for the next few weeks! Stereoizer Stereoplacer Monofilter Paragon ST 01:06:43 Gig Gab 543 Outtro <https://giggabpodcast.com/> Follow NUGEN @nugenaudio Follow Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe: @loudnesswardraftdodger @fsvc____ @thankleeds Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Wrong Audience Is Still an Audience: Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe on the Gigging Life – Gig Gab 543 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week Wil and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild pull up a chair beside Dave to show you what a life in music actually looks like from the inside. These guys grew up on a tour bus in the ’70s and ’80s watching their dads, Don and Harold Reid, play eight years with Johnny Cash before becoming The Statler Brothers, a side-stage masterclass we all wish we had. You’ll hear the advice that shaped them: nobody can put you in the music business and nobody can take you out, so you’d better love the life and want it bad. You’ll get the manager horror stories (let’s just call him Peter), the reminder that every musician is an entrepreneur, and the hard, useful stuff most players dodge: build a P&L, diversify, manage cash flow first, and when it rains, fill up your buckets. Treat every gig like it matters, because you never know who’s in the room: never punish the people who showed up, and don’t play to the empty seats. Then you’ll dig into the craft that made the family famous: blood harmonies. Learn every part, let the piano teach you how the notes relate, and practice early in the morning just to find your pitch. You’ll discover why four voices were an act nobody wanted to follow, why going from two parts to four is an exponential lift, and where the modulation earns its keep. Through all of it runs one thread: be believable. Whether it’s a vanity song that tells your audience exactly who you are or a closer like It’s Amazing What a Hug Can Do, you sell it because you mean it. That’s the whole game: Always Be Performing, every seat, every song, every night. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 542 – Monday, July 13th, 2026 July 13th: National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day Guest co-hosts: Wil Reid and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild 00:02:19 Post-gig snacks Nachos Chocolate Milk Twinkies Exempt from the food pyramid 00:05:17 Growing up on a tour bus in the 1970s and 1980s A Masterclass in performance art Their Dads, Don and Harold Ried played with Johnny Cash for 8 years before going out on their own as The Statler Brothers Watching from side stage 00:07:25 At 16 and 14, Wil and Langdon started band practice and gigging 00:08:07 Advice from Their Dads “Nobody can put you in the music business, and nobody can take you out” You gotta love the life. You gotta want it really bad. 00:09:24 Learning what to do…and what not to do 00:09:37 Manager stories! The manager who hangs on to you, waiting for something to happen, instead of doing work to make it happen for you. A tuition moment: “Let’s just call him Peter” 00:13:20 Our dads were businessmen Managing and building a retirement as a musician Business Brain – Every musician is an entrepreneur Coming from nothing, sharing a bedroom, make enough to live check-to-check When it rains, fill up your buckets! 00:18:37 The dreamers are the ones generating the income 00:20:24 Build a P&L for your music business 00:23:10 Diversify yourself, produce yourself, protect yourself CD Baby Concert Pay Manage cash flow first 00:24:36 Every gig has an opportunity for you You never know exactly who is in the audience “Never punish the people who showed up” – Parthenon Huxley “Don’t play to the empty seats” – Charlie Daniels 00:28:35 Singing “blood harmonies” together Tip 1: learn to sing every part Tip 2: playing piano will teach you how the notes work and relate together Statler Brothers were “Country lyrics with southern gospel harmonies” Tip 3: practice singing early in the morning just to learn your notes 00:34:30 Learning to blend with other people “Bach says no!” 00:36:00 Always think about the piano for harmonies Their dads, The Statler Brothers, were the first group in country music. Four voices were an act to follow! 00:39:30 Their sons, Jack and Davis Reid…the next generation Four part harmonies with their boys! 00:40:22 And now…harmony blend Going from two parts to four parts is an exponential lift! Dallas Corbin on Gig Gab – Rock is how high can you go? Country is how low can you go? Where is Skid Row of 2026? 00:50:00 The value of the modulation 00:54:17 American Songbook: Country Classics and Gospel Favorites on Gaither Music 00:58:10 Always be believable 01:01:00 The value of vanity songs in your set Show your audience who you are 01:04:00 It’s Amazing What a Hug Can Do 01:06:00 Gig Gab 542 Outtro Follow Wilson Fairchild @wilsonfairchild on IG Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Growing Up Statler: Wilson Fairchild on Harmony, Hustle, and the Working Musician’s Life – Gig Gab 542 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week front-of-house engineer Ryan Goldbacher calls in from the road with Tom Keifer, and you’ll quickly learn that landing the next gig comes down to two things: competence, and not being miserable to be around. Word of mouth is the real currency of touring life, so Always Be Performing applies long after you step off stage: when the tour bus is smaller than your bedroom and there are twelve people on it, how you treat the room matters. You’ll pick up honest strategies for protecting your sanity on the road, from taking a walk to renting a car and disappearing into the mountains, plus why testing your limits only works if you actually know where they are. Then you and Ryan get deep into the craft. You’ll hear why the way FOH mixes your band one night can shape how it sounds for gigs to come, why you’ve got about thirty seconds to describe your band to a house engineer at load-in, and the EQ lessons Ryan learned the hard way dialing in loud rock guitars and high-passing the bass. Stop calling a kick a bass drum, leave some air in it, and don’t be afraid to turn the knobs until it sounds good. From the pressure-cooker of mixing monitors on Mr. Big’s final US tour to a frank take on AI mixing and building the next generation of engineers, this one’s loaded for anyone serious about live sound. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 541 – Monday, July 6th, 2026 July 6th: National Fried Chicken Day Guest co-hosts: Ryan Goldbacher 00:01:17 Ryan on tour with Tom Keifer 00:02:29 Word of mouth is the key Competence is key…that’s number one. Close number two: you’re not miserable to be around! 00:05:09 The tour bus is smaller than your bedroom, and there’s 12 people in it 00:07:19 Creating your own personal space Take a walk Rent a car and drive into the mountains 00:08:45 Week off between gigs Fly me to Spokane, then I’ll drive to Alaska Skagway, Alaska 00:11:11 FOH for Tom Keifer for Summer, 2026 You can’t spread yourself too thin If it won’t fit on your plate, get it off Having a dedicated monitor engineer makes a huge difference 00:13:50 Test your limits, but don’t be afraid to know where they are. 00:16:52 Always be communicating 00:18:46 This tour Ryan brings a FOH console House monitor engineer Band is all on wedges A&H Avantis Tom Keifer goes over the entire set with the house lighting designer 00:21:12 Tom Keifer helps Ryan with producing the show for the night The benefits of working with an artist who tells you how to make yourself more valuable to them 00:23:32 The FOH and Band relationship The way FOH mixes the band for one gig could affect the band for the future. Respect this! Communicate what your band sounds like to the engineer…early on as you’re loading in 00:29:42 Developing trust with your engineer first 00:31:03 Thirty seconds to describe your band 00:32:33 Making the next generation of engineers better 00:33:59 Engineers who are musicians / Musicians who are engineers ProTools…great software, dumb name! 00:38:18 Learning from mistakes 00:40:16 Stacking EQs on Rock Guitars by mistake…and then intentionally! Working with loud guitars on Stiff Little Fingers Steve Smith introduced Ryan to Stiff Little Fingers 00:41:21 SPONSOR: OneSkin. Born from over a decade of longevity research, OneSkin’s OS-01 Peptide is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code GigGab athttps://oneskin.co/GigGab  #oneskinpod #ad 00:43:30 Accidentally learning to drop guitar EQ between 2k-4k Adding a high-pass filter on the bass guitar in a rock band 00:48:21 Don’t call a kick drum a “bass” drum, otherwise you’ll mix it the wrong way. You want some air in that kick! 00:49:07 Don’t be afraid to turn the knobs until it sounds good 00:51:27 The pressure of mixing monitors makes you a great engineer Mixing monitors for Mr. Big’s final US tour 00:55:09 RTAs are great, but be able to do it by ear 00:58:29 Speaking of Toys…Let’s Talk AI Mixing Mentorship and apprentice programs 01:08:43 Show Logistics 01:10:03 Gig Gab 541 Outtro Follow Ryan Goldbacher @ryanthegoldbacher on IG Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Ryan Goldbacher on Touring with Tom Keifer, Mixing FOH (and Monitors), and AI – Gig Gab 541 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week singer-songwriter Patrice Peris joins Dave to flip the script on building a music career. That question musicians always get – what’s your backup plan? – is a terrible one, because Plan A was never required to land where you first mapped it. Through COVID, a cancer diagnosis, and a bone-marrow transplant she now calls a rebirth, Patrice kept asking what each detour was teaching her and never stopped writing, landing sync placements on Netflix, HBO Max, and The Voice along the way. Want to break into sync licensing yourself? Get resourceful and bullheaded: take a class, build multiple streams of revenue, and gamify the grind: how many gigs can you find, how many music supervisors can you email? Every musician is an entrepreneur, and the numbers game rewards whoever keeps opening doors. Then Patrice gets practical, because gigging musicians are athletes. You get her playbook for protecting your voice across three-set nights: a real warmup, scale work, stretching, smart placement that pulls the sound out of your throat and into the mask, and the vocal rest you keep skipping. From there comes the band conversation nobody wants to have: in-ear monitors and the whole mix exist to serve the lead vocalist, so drop the ego and decide together what you actually want your band to sound like. Build a backup bench while you’re at it, because life happens and roles need filling. Patrice stepped back from the stage but never stopped creating, and that’s the whole point: keep writing, keep adapting, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 540 – Monday, June 29th, 2026 June 29th: National Waffle Iron Day Guest co-hosts: Patrice Peris 00:02:36 Live has given me things in waves that weren’t what I wanted Welcoming the unexpected 00:05:20 “What’s your Plan B?” Is a terrible question And Plan A doesn’t have to go where you planned 00:07:55 COVID and Cancer…all a journey 00:09:10 Perspective… always be asking: what is this teaching me? 00:10:43 Always writing 00:11:40 How do you get started writing for sync? A nod to bullheaded persistence 00:15:10 Starting a Sync Business Always have multiple streams of revenue Take a class (or two) 00:19:44 Being resourceful is the key to bullheaded persistence Gamify it all! How many gigs can I find? How many people can I email? 00:22:57 Learn to be strategic and mindful Anytime you’re climbing the ladder, failure is inevitable Invest energy into the creative realm and also into the business realm 00:25:54 “No Plan” isn’t a plan Listen to your inner 16 year old…sometimes! 00:29:47 Coaching people to let go of the hat The 80% Rule 00:35:20 Growing your music business 00:35:38 Vocal blowout Learn to Sing Like the Pro’s with Patrice Peris Voice Studios Gigging musicians are athletes Good warmup Scale work Physically stretching Take some vocal rest 00:41:00 Listening for Placement Where is the voice going? 00:42:31 In Ear Monitors can make a big difference Bands need to understand the sound has to serve the lead vocalist 00:44:42 What do we want our band to sound like to people listening? Bands need to come together as a group Communicate and decide upon the goal for what the BAND is going to sound like 00:49:38 Get two of everything 00:50:56 Gig Gab 540 Outtro Follow Patrice Peris Patrice Peris Voice Studios Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Patrice Peris on Sync, Survival, and Why You Don’t Need a Backup Plan – Gig Gab 540 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week you start things off digging into the craft that separates good gigs from great ones. You’ll get the playbook for prepping and surviving sub gigs, learn (again!) why a splitter snake earns its place in your rig, and sort through the real options when you need a mic mute switch that actually works. Then you wrestle with a question every working band faces today: are fan-posted videos helping your brand or hurting it? It’s the kind of practical, in-the-trenches breakdown that reminds you to Always Be Performing, whether the camera’s rolling or not. Then guest co-host Jesus Hernandez joins, and you trace his path from a Portastudio kid to the engineer bands trust with their sound, along with the philosophy he’s built along the way: you’re serving people’s ears, and the console is your instrument. You’ll hear why you should ask a band what they want to sound like before you touch a fader, why learning to mix yourself turns your engineer into a producer, and how routing a digital mixer keeps everything simple when the power flickers. He shares the gear that’s earned his trust, hard-won war stories from the road, his time subbing as a bass player in Nashville, and life on tour with a Phil Collins and Genesis tribute. By the end you’ll be listening to your own gigs with sharper ears and a hungrier inner critic. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 539 – Monday, June 22nd, 2026 June 22nd: National Chocolate Éclair Day Guest co-host: Jesus Hernandez 00:01:32 Prepping for and playing Sub Gigs Ultimate-Guitar’s Pro Charts…now with lyrics! 00:04:25 The benefits of splitter snake Listener Questions 00:09:55 Mark-What’s the best MD Mic Switch? D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Mic Sensor Optogate Radial HotShot DM-1 or HotShot MD LILYP4D Mic Mute 00:20:25 Mark-Are fan-posted videos good or bad? 00:24:36 SPONSOR: OneSkin. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code GIGGAB at https://www.oneskin.co/GIGGAB  #oneskinpod 00:26:54 Guest Co-host: Jesus Hernandez 00:28:20 Lady and the Tramp Start taught him to record multi-track Then the Portastudio Tascam Multitrack Recorder Jesus became the go-to guy for recording bands and fixing sounds 00:34:27 A2 at a local theater Then the A1 went on vacation, and Jesus became the A1 00:35:38 Then a jazz club Sound reinforcement at the most basic level Ultimately what you’re trying to serve is people’s ears. Use your eyes to serve that purpose. 00:37:38 Recording was rough at first, but you learn! Making recordings with a live performance in mind Let it Be…Naked 00:41:24 Ask the band: what do you guys want to sound like on the recording? “Take a picture of the band, then paint on top of it!” 00:32:36 For live sound: how do you find out what the band sounds like? Before arriving: listen to the band’s records (or the band they’re covering) 00:47:26 When doing sound, consider yourself a band member “Playing the console” – The mixer is an instrument I’m controlling the arrangement 00:48:50 Singing the praises of bands that can set levels on stage 00:49:20 A band whose levels are ALL over the place So bad the band was sent home after the first set. You have to be your hardest critic 00:53:25 Learn to mix yourself, then your engineer can go from problem-solver to producer! 00:55:26 “If the power goes out at the mixer, you’ll still sound good” Fixing it at the source The night the power-flickered and factory reset the mixer! PreSonus StudioLive 01:00:19 Keeping it as simple as possible Soft-patching, routing, matrixes, oh my! Learn how to route a digital mixer 01:06:39 The downsides of strictly analog But you learn how to ring out frequencies Fix low-end feedback by popping in/out the polarity button Rick Carmona (From “No Peace At All”), the engineer who mentored Jesus Every business is in the customer service Davis Thurston on Gig Gab The engineer has multiple customers: the band, the audience, and the staff at the venue 01:13:38 Bands vs. Reunion Gigs 01:18:25 Bringing an analog mixer…and no snake! 01:24:50 Soca Music 01:26:00 Time for some war stories 01:31:46 Subbing in Nashville as a bass player 01:08:21 On the road with Face Value, Phil Collins & Genesis Tribute Band 01:37:24 Jesus Hernandez Home Studio 01:38:23 Gig Gab 539 Outtro Follow Jesus Hernandez IG: @jesusandthecomplaintdepartment Jesus is my Sound Guy Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Sub Gigs, Mic Mutes & the Art of Mixing Live with Jesus Hernandez – Gig Gab 539 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Three Rush fans — a father, a son, and Spartacus — walk into a podcast. There’s no punchline, just the tape rolling on a conversation that was going to happen anyway, and you get to be the fly on the wall. Two of them just flew home from LA, where they stood in the room and watched Rush kick off the tour nobody was sure would ever come. The third has been taking it all in from a distance, which is its own peculiar thing when you once mixed front of house for the band for years. You’ll get the origin stories — a kite-flying contest in early-seventies St. Louis, an R40 playlist that turned a kid into a lifer — plus enough on the drummer question (yes, Anika Nilles) and show-count stats to earn the Rush-nerd badge none of them will quite cop to. Then it gets real. This is a band that fans and insiders alike once quietly accepted was finished, now back out there proving otherwise, and that turns the talk toward something bigger than setlists. You get to do this. Whether it’s thousands of people or a Tuesday night for a dozen, that gratitude is the whole game — the reason to Always Be Performing no matter how rough the bus ride was. Stick around for a ten-year-old’s perfectly timed gut check that still lands two decades later. Press play, and join Lucas Hamilton, Robert Scovill, and Dave Hamilton for a tour through the opening of Rush’s comeback — from inside the room, and from afar. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 538 – Monday, June 15th, 2026 June 15th: British Beer Day Guest co-hosts: Lucas Hamilton and Robert Scovill 00:02:46 Rush Stats All three co-hosts have seen Rush live with 2 drummers Lucas and Anika are tied for Rush shows… as of this recording 00:04:39 Robert Scovill was living in St. Louis when he saw Rush with Rutsey KC Kite Flying Contest 00:07:31 Lucas’s Rush origin story 00:08:31 About that whole live concert sound thing Spoiler: Rush always sounded good 00:11:02 Favorite Rush heirlooms 00:13:55 I want a Red Barchetta for my midlife crisis Rush 2026 Tour started with 12 dates 00:16:02 That opening song, that opening night Rick Beato’s Breakdown of Xanadu 00:23:40 Anika Nilles’ dropped stick recovery Getting the first mistake out of the way moments into the first song of Rush’s 2026 Reunion tour 00:27:21 Time Stand Still for those emotional moments 00:33:11 Lights and video for 2112 – in the cave! 00:34:00 Singing 2112: Presentation at the tops of our lungs 00:38:50 Moving Pictures to open night 3 set 2 00:40:13 Loren Gold’s keys and vocal harmonies And Geddy Lee’s voice, too! 00:44:29 The composition of YYZ Alex Lifeson is the most underrated guitarist in rock and roll 00:45:48 Anika Nilles is just a star 00:49:25 Anika grooving during A Passage to Bangkok 00:52:22 The physicality of playing Rush music The wisdom of days off in between shows for the entire Rush Fifty Something tour 00:57:41 You know what we get to do today? We get to go play music in front of thousands of people! This is the best job on earth 01:01:23 Who is Spartacus? 01:03:33 Gig Gab 538 Outtro Follow Lucas Hamilton On Instagram Follow Robert Scovill On Facebook On Instagram On LinkedIn RobertScovill.com (where you’ll find The Back Lounge) Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Three Rush Fans and Rush’s 2026 Comeback Tour: From the Room and From Afar – Gig Gab 538 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week on Gig Gab, Dave Hamilton sits down with guest co-host Rand Lempert of the Broken Rings, a two-piece recording project built on 15 years of musical kinship between Rand and guitarist Gio da Silva. You’ll hear how these two have crafted an intentional, travel-fueled recording process across cities, cutting live instruments and vocals together, passing files between New Orleans, Tampa, and now Denver, and why that friction and urgency is exactly the point. Rand makes a compelling case for keeping things analog as long as possible: real amps, minimal pedals, old-school mic placements like a modified Glyn Johns setup, and the conviction that nothing replaces the feeling of having a human being in the room when the tape (or hard drive) is rolling. The conversation ranges wide, from Rand’s vivid 9/11 tour story, stranded in St. John’s Newfoundland on one of the last planes to land before U.S. airspace shut down, to a deep dive into the art of the perfect pop song, with nominations for Tempted by Squeeze, Big Star’s Thirteen, Bryan Adams’ Cuts Like a Knife, and Fastball’s Out of My Head. Whether you’re a working drummer obsessing over beat placement, a songwriter who only writes when the muse actually shows up, or a road veteran who knows that idle days on tour are far worse than grueling ones, this episode has your number. Get out there, stay curious, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 537 – Monday, June 8th, 2026 June 8th: Name Your Poison Day Guest co-host: Rand Lempert 00:01:38 The Broken Rings are a 2-man band Drums, guitar, vocals all handled by Rand Lempert and Gio da Silva, his bandmate They consider themselves musical kin: They agree on 95% of all music Met in Houston, played in bands, then moved to different corners of the USA 00:04:48 Songwriting duo starts with a long distance relationship Lutefish Stream 00:07:03 Recording remotely doesn’t have the muse of travel So many different avenues to approach recording Finding a way to record with technology in a less sterile way 00:15:08 Preserving analog recording to digital “tape” 00:17:07 The process of recording drums Don’t mess up the end of the track! 00:21:14 Country music 00:23:25 Drummer kinship: Tris Imboden saves the day! Learning by visual 00:31:41 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab 00:33:37 Surviving the road 00:34:45 Road story: hanging out in St. John’s Newfoundland for 5 days Sonny James and the Centers in Europe in 2001 “There’s nothing wrong with this airplane, but this plane is being diverted because of terrorist attacks in the United States.” Canadian authorities: “What do we do with these people? Bring them to a hockey arena!” Memorial University of Newfoundland 00:44:35 Opening up for Bo Diddley in 2004 In Beaumont, Texas Touring is a lot of driving, and you’re doing the driving It’s a lot of lugging equipment, and you’re doing the lugging You get a hotel room…for the entire band! 00:48:55 When touring, days off are worse than the grueling days on 00:51:02 It’s important to travel Touring is the way to do that for a lot of us musicians 00:51:25 Making touring maps as a kid is a good sign Rand needed to do this as a career 00:52:50 First concerts, sound nerding, and getting lost in the music for the first time Rand got lost at four years old! Nerd out about sound and recording First concerts! Weather Report for Dave Air Supply for Rand 00:58:05 The Best pop songs Gravitating towards the hook! Cuts Like a Knife – Bryan Adams Tempted – Squeeze Thirteen – Big Star Out of My Head – Fastball One Headlight – Wallflowers No Matter What – Badfinger 01:12:22 Gig Gab 537 Outtro Follow Rand Lempert The Broken Rings Sick in the city – The Broken Rings Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Road Stories, Recording Secrets, and the Perfect Pop Song – Gig Gab 537 with Rand Lempert from The Broken Rings appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week Stu Dias joins Dave from a slightly different corner of Durham, New Hampshire, and after a quick detour through barefoot drumming, sweaty-hand fixes, and oversized triangle guitar picks, the conversation locks onto the question every working musician is wrestling with right now: what does AI mean for music? You’ll hear why Dave reframes it as Assistive Intelligence (and the best procrastination-killer and writer’s-block-buster going) even as you stare down the harder stuff: Suno-generated tracks, Jack Tempchin’s AI-assisted album, and the ouroboros of machines learning from the music we make. Should AI art be labeled? What happens when it conjures someone’s likeness? And does any of it move you the way a human in a room can? That last question is the heartbeat of the episode. Dave and Stu weigh AI music against the cover-band hustle, remember what COVID lockdowns taught us about humans craving real humans together, and get honest about whose jobs are actually on the line and where AI mixing fits in your workflow. The kicker for every gigging musician: if the machines are going to use your voice and your playing, take a long-term cut of the sales. It’s a sharp, funny, occasionally unsettling look at the line between tool and threat…and a reminder that however the tech shakes out, you Always Be Performing. Hit play for the full conversation. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 536 – Monday, June 1st, 2026 May 25th: National Barefoot Day Guest co-host: Stu Dias 00:00:56 Playing drums barefoot 00:02:34 Iontophoresis for sweaty feet and hands 00:05:05 We all have our own thing for ourselves Large guitar picks for Stu. Equilateral triangles! 00:07:03 AI and Music 00:12:40 AI is the best procrastination eliminator It helps with writer’s block AI Based Plugins and Compressors are fantastic For Dave, AI is Assistive Intelligence 00:13:59 AI Generated music like Suno 00:18:22 Should AI-generated art be labeled as such? 00:22:58 What about if AI generates the likeness of someone? De-Feedback on Gig Gab 00:24:53 Ouroborotic 00:27:31 Using AI to create music Business Brain theme music Jack Tempchin’s AI-assisted album Beck’s Song Reader Creating walk-on music for your band Bowling For Soup’s (non-AI-created) walk-on music for live shows 00:40:47 Comparing Human-Created Music vs. AI-Created music 00:45:11 AI Music vs. Cover Music 00:47:58 COVID Lockdowns taught us that we like to bring humans together 00:55:37 What’s AI going to make Dave say? 01:03:08 Jobs on the line Elvis impersonators and sax players from rock songs in the 80’s 01:05:42 AI Mixing Davis Thurston on Gig Gab 01:13:04 Do we have to Take a long-term cut of the sales, folks! 01:18:06 Gig Gab 536 Outtro Follow Stu Dias Diaspora-Radio.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post AI and Music for Working Musicians: Tool, Threat, or Bandmate? – Gig Gab 536 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Ride shotgun with Dave as he records GigGab on the drive home from a Casual Gravity gig, finally living out the show’s original mission. You’ll hear why packing your own mixer saves the night when the venue only wants a single feed from the band, what it’s like when an in-ear band plays its first fully sober gig, and why counting songs in to a click track changes everything once adrenaline stops driving your tempo. Then dig into relearning vocal harmonies for the Underground Band: using the Moises app to isolate vocals, pulling sheet music, and plunking out intervals on piano to lock stacks into your ear. Buddy Gibbons sparks a drumming debate on single strokes versus marching-style sticking through the Foreplay/Long Time triplets, and Dave gets honest about throat fatigue, Lyme disease aftermath, dust mite allergies, and the sublingual immunotherapy bringing his voice back. Listen to your body, learn the parts, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 535 – Monday, May 25th, 2026 May 25th: National Tap Dance Day 00:00:10 Driving Home Experiment 00:01:42 Casino Gig Setup 00:06:38 Sober Show, Strong Set 00:08:19 Relearning Vocal Harmonies 00:18:15 Drumming Through Both Hands 00:21:47 Insurance And Smoke-Filled Gigs 00:26:42 Throat Troubles And Recovery Stuff Mentioned: Mackie DL32S Moises I Love a Piano MusicPro Equipment Insurance 00:31:24 Gig Gab 535 Outtro Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Loaded Out, Rolling Home, Rolling Tape – Gig Gab 535 appeared first on Gig Gab.

OG co-host Paul Kent rejoins Dave Hamilton to talk about how The Houserockers have stayed booked into their 27th year, and what your band can steal from their playbook. You’ll dig into the social media reality of 2026 (Reels are currently king), why your mailing list is the asset you actually own, and how to grow to 10,000 followers without losing your soul. Paul makes the case that if you want gigs, your band has to be a business, which means alignment on mission, passion, and musical style with the partners or employees standing next to you on stage. There’s nothing wrong with playing for fun, but go in eyes wide open about what you’re chasing. From there you’ll dive into the value of scarcity, Kevin Kelly’s thousand true fans, and why mixing up your setlists is one way to keep audiences coming back. Paul breaks down the current Houserockers formula (civic concert series, experiential marketing, and ticketed off-season events) and why aging-up audiences mean you have to market harder and talk to fans like Springsteen does: a lifetime conversation, all with individuals. You’ll also get the real talk on finding bandmates (Craigslist included), the Gig Gab bookable-band checklist, and Paul’s (joking?) pitch for two new show segments. Whatever your lane, Always Be Performing, and start treating every touchpoint like the gig it is. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 534 – Monday, May 18th, 2026 May 18th: National Visit Your Relatives Day 00:01:27 Guest co-host: Paul Kent The Houserockers in their 27th year! 00:04:21 Did someone call you an old man?!? 00:08:46 The Gig Gab social media approach 00:10:29 Your band can get 10,000 followers Reels are it…today. 00:13:37 Gain a mailing list 00:16:41 It’s about the music business. Is your band willing to be in business? 00:19:00 There’s nothing wrong with doing what you want to do. Just go in eyes wide open. 00:20:49 Getting alignment within your band. You now have business partners or employees Be aligned with mission, passion, style of music … the alchemy of it. 00:26:48 The value of scarcity Does success equal quantity of gigs? Some people want to play five times per month 00:30:43 Finding Your Thousand True Fans 00:32:05 Mixing up your setlists is another way to keep people coming back 00:36:00 Marketing 101 – you have to have something to say Hopefully unique! And then deliver. 00:37:13 The Houserockers formula for today Civic Concert Series Experiential Marketing Ticketed Events in the off-season 00:39:13 Use your mailing list! 00:41:28 Ticketed events required more marketing this year Audiences are aging up 00:43:04 How do you talk to your audience? Springsteen: my career is a lifetime conversation with my audience It’s about you, your personality, and each individual audience member 00:50:11 Finding band members is an imperfect science Craigslist lets you find who is available THEN. The Gig Gab Band checklist 00:56:41 Paul’s show ideas for Dave Dave reads mean comments Dave reads band ads from Craigslist, et al 00:59:47 Gig Gab 534 Outtro Follow Paul Kent SVHouserockers.com Facebook Houserockers Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post What’s Your Band’s Definition of Success? — Gig Gab 534 with Paul Kent appeared first on Gig Gab.

Guest co-host Mike Schulte joins Dave with 15 years of Pork Tornadoes social media wisdom, and the message is blunt: relentless consistency wins. You literally can’t post too much in 2026—nobody sees everything anymore, so repost that same flyer as a fresh post (not a share) and keep going. Give it 45 days before you judge results. Why invest? More fans mean more bodies at the gig, plus the social proof that signals to newcomers that other people already love you. And remember—you’re not competing with other bands, you’re competing with people’s couches. From there, Dave and Mike dig into the live-show craft. Build a sound check formula so it stops being a nightmare, then cook up a Suno-generated theme song to walk on to—Always Be Performing means the show starts before the first chord lands. Treat your setlist like art: the opener’s a throwaway, but song three is the most important slot of the night. Then think about your saturation—the Pork Tornadoes cap themselves at two ticketed gigs per year inside a 30-mile radius, and the minute they got scarce, their pay jumped tenfold. Simple, not easy. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 533 – Monday, May 11th, 2026 May 11th: National Eat What You Want Day (also Hostess CupCake Day!) Guest co-host: Mike Schulte 00:01:10 Did you ever watch Night Court Dave reminds Mike of Harry Confused Breakfast Shows that were so far ahead of their time: All In The Family Roseanne 00:05:06 Managing your band’s social media Relentless Consistency is the key (right now). “You can never post too much” – Mike Schulte, May 11, 2026 Mike has been running social media for Pork Tornadoes for 15 years Everyone doesn’t see every post (anymore) It’s money-driven Repost the same thing, the same flyer, the same idea (as a new post, not a “share”) 00:09:49 Getting “started” on social media in 2026 I tried to follow your model and nothing changed. In two weeks. You’ve gotta spend a month or more (Dave says 45 days) 00:14:05 What’s the benefit of investing in social media The more fans you have, there WILL be more people who come to your events Also: social proof. Showing people that other people like you. 00:18:55 Social Proof + Bullheaded Persistence = Success. 00:22:00 People don’t go out like they used to You’re not competing with other bands, you’re competing with people’s couches 00:24:39 A band retreat! If 2020 hadn’t happened, Pork Tornadoes would’ve probably gone full time 00:26:04 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab 00:27:42 Recent Gig(s) Gab Boston Cream Band at Seacoast Repertory Theater Pork Tornadoes is a 2-hours straight-thru band 00:34:19 Orchestrate your sound check Sound check used to be a nightmare, until we created a formula 00:38:27 Create a musical lead-in for your show For the wranglers in the Gig Gab audience Use Suno to create a theme song for your band 00:42:57 Writing a setlist is an art Your first song is a throwaway The third song is the FIRST most important song in the set (according to Dave) Develop business-like rituals for your band 00:48:32 What’s Your Band’s Saturation? Self-imposed proximity clauses Pork Tornadoes Proximity Clause: No more than 2 ticketed events in a 30-mile radius per year Plus one free-to-the-public festival gig to pull people in To the venues who don’t have proximity clauses: why do you not? The minute we started getting scarce, was the minute our pay increased 10-fold 01:00:12 The Pork Tornadoes formula: simple, not easy. Gig Gab 532 Outtro Follow Mike Schulte Confused Breakfast The Pork Tornadoes Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Relentless Consistency and the Scarcity Premium with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornadoes – Gig Gab 533 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Ready to make the leap from wedges to in-ear monitors? Or finally get the stage mix you’ve always wanted? Dave Hamilton welcomes back monitor engineer Paul Klimson, the man who mixed 32 stereo IEM feeds for Justin Timberlake, for a working musician’s deep dive on monitor world. You’ll learn how to build a default mix from scratch (start yourself at 0dB, your instrument at -5, everything else at -15), why drummers have an easier transition to in-ears than most assume, and how a split snake lets you take care of yourself when the gig demands it. Paul digs into hi-hat pitfalls, drum overheads as stage wash, and why bands who mix themselves on stage make life better for their FOH engineer, too. Then it gets practical. Paul walks you through IEM fittings (pain is always bad, the seal is everything, and yes, drop an AirTag in your case) plus the universal-versus-custom decision, vetting vendor customer service before you buy, and the repair costs nobody talks about until they need to. You’ll get honest talkback etiquette (keep the drama off-stage, give everyone a voice, remember that your monitor engineer is a short-order cook), the post-mortem habit every band should adopt, and a peek at SoulSeed.tv. Wherever you sit on stage, this is the episode that sharpens how you Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 532 – Monday, May 4th, 2026 May 4th: Dave Brubeck Day Guest co-host: Paul Klimson 00:03:24 Start with headphones in your practice space Start with earplugs 00:05:09 Drums are a dynamic instrument, which may be why drummers have an easy transition to IEMs (usually) 00:08:33 What do you want in your wedge? What’s your reference? 00:09:11 The artist/engineer relationship 00:11:03 Building a default mix Start yourself at 0dB Instrument at -5dB Everything else at -15dB 00:12:58 Using a Split Snake When possible, take care of yourself 00:14:47 Timing of a mix Don’t forget about hi-hats Work with your engineer to dial-in your own mix 00:19:18 Drum overheads for stage wash effect 00:22:21 In-ears help you listen better Bands who mix themselves on stage makes your ears AND the FOH engineers job ears 00:23:54 Learn where you and your instrument fit into the mix of your band And change it if you don’t fit. You’re not the most important thing! 00:26:40 What’s going to make you stand out when someone comes to see you at clubs of any size? Do you hear the lyrics? Do you hear the intent of the story of the song? Watch your instagram videos and evaluate honestly 00:30:28 Knowing when the studio mix is done. 00:33:27 Fittings for IEMs Things to look for: Pain is bad Is the seal functioning correctly? Listen for sound leakage (including when you open your mouth and move around) Are the ports aimed down the canal wrong Do you hear high-end better when you rock the mold around? 00:37:36 Put an AirTag in your IEM case! 00:39:28 Figuring out which model to order Try universal fits first to learn the musical qualities 00:41:16 Test the customer service of vendors before you choose 00:42:55 The origin of IEMs 00:44:44 Find out repair costs Comply Foam Strips 00:48:20 Talkback Use Keep the drama off-stage Give everyone a voice Monitor engineers are like short-order cooks… be kind! 00:58:23 Always post-mortem the problems from the gig And also “what happens if?” conversations 01:03:22 Soulseed.TV 01:06:05 Gig Gab 532 Outtro Follow Paul Klimson SoulSeed.tv @TheRoadieClinic Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer’s Playbook with Paul Klimson – Gig Gab 532 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You trace Dan Chantrey’s path from drummer dad influence to choosing music over football, and quickly see the real lesson: the game has flipped. You’re no longer playing gigs to sell music, you’re using music to sell gigs. From record deals fading to booking agents becoming the new gatekeepers, you learn why every band feels like it’s on the brink and how surviving means thinking beyond the stage. GIGNITE emerges as the modern answer, a virtual tour manager that helps you route tours, analyze audiences, and break into new markets with data instead of guesswork. If you want to grow, you stop hoping for “yes” and start building a system that makes it inevitable. You rethink what it means to be a working musician: your brand matters as much as your chops, your off-stage work is where the money lives, and yes, it’s okay to get paid for your art. From finding sponsors in your local pizza joint to solving real-world problems like parking the van and booking rooms, you’re shown how to remove friction and scale your gig life intelligently. The stories drive it home: don’t punish the audience that showed up, audition gigs still sting, and your toughest hometown show might teach you the most. The throughline is clear: treat this like a business, leverage the tools, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 531 – Monday, April 27th, 2026 April 27th: Morse Code Day Guest co-host: Dan Chantrey from GIGNITE 00:03:36 Dan’s Dad was a drummer and a singer, started him off, then Dan started playing 00:03:58 Playing live vs. Playing in the studio 00:04:15 Choosing between (American) football and music 00:06:09 Getting signed to Frontier Records Things worked for a while “Every band is on the verge of breaking up at all times” 00:09:06 Things have turned: you used to do gigs to sell your music, now you do music to sell your gigs GIGNITE is a one-stop shop for artists to be able to tour Had an events business running pre-COVID BREXIT happened, so how can we make things easier to get artists move about through Europe 00:12:38 Booking agent deals are the new record deal 00:14:49 Tried to book a festival, booking agents said “no” even though bands said “yes” 00:16:00 GIGNITE is your virtual tour manager 00:17:10 Aggregating Audience Analytics is part of the platform, too 00:18:56 Heading to NAMM to learn what potential customers want NAMM is the meeting place of the music industry 00:20:33 Analytics aggregation for tribute acts and cover bands, too Does Dave’s fictitious band sound like Rage Against The Machine? Why not! Using analytics to decide which markets 00:22:55 GIGNITE is free for artists to join and use Freemium model allows artists to add additional features like press releases and such Primary monetization is from suppliers (aka venues) Venue ratings system! 00:24:22 Gig Unite links artists with sponsors Linking headline bands with opening acts (local and otherwise) Find sponsors for your local bands, folks: Pizza place Construction companies Cleaning services Chiropractor It might be easier to get sponsors for your band than gigs for it! 32:31 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab 00:33:57 GIGNITE takes the heavy lifting and headaches away Gives your band the power to look at and consider tours “How do you get a gig in a town that’s 200 miles away?” You can do it yourself, you can get a booking agent, or you can use a service like GIGNITE 00:36:00 It’s called the music BUSINESS for a reason The brand of your band is as important as your stagecraft 00:40:49 I don’t get paid to play shows, I get paid to do all the off-stage stuff Dave says: “It’s OK to get paid for our art” 00:43:41 Where are you going to park your van while you play? Where are you going to stay? GIGNITE answers these questions 00:47:44 Now it’s Gig Gab time Road stories, folks! Parthenon Huxley: Don’t punish the people who showed up! Audition Gigs… love ‘em and hate ‘em! (mostly hate ‘em!) 00:54:36 The hardest gig I ever played “We want to see you in your home town.” 00:58:00 Gig Gab 531 Outtro Follow Dan Chantrey GIGNITE.live Facebook & Instagram Dan_chantrey Dan Chan Show on Rock Rage Radio Dan Chan Show on YouTube Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Fix Your Band’s Biggest Pain Points – Gig Gab 531 with Dan Chantrey appeared first on Gig Gab.

Step inside five decades of rock history with lighting legend Howard Ungerleider, the man who’s been designing and directing Rush’s light shows since 1974. Hear how a $75-a-week mailroom gig at American Talent International — where he pulled off a rogue booking of Fleetwood Mac before he was even an agent — turned into a lifetime behind the console. Get the story of Howard landing in Toronto to babysit “a club band called Rush,” sleeping on the floor at the manager’s house with a St. Bernard, freezing his hand to a car door at -40 in Cochrane, Ontario, and later jamming with Neil Peart at his house to Genesis and Supertramp records. Howard also talks designing Roll The Bones (the one Rush tour he couldn’t operate), embedding at See Factor to build custom gear nobody else could get, and how Blue Öyster Cult first put him in front of a laser: the same craft he now brings to Foo Fighters, Tool, and Janet Jackson. Then the conversation turns to the upcoming Rush Fifty Something tour — a four-piece now with Anika Nilles on drums and Loren Gold on keys, freeing Geddy to focus on bass and vocals. Learn why Howard still “plays” the lighting console live with two boards and thousands of touch cues, how robotic spots are quietly changing the craft, and why he and Phish’s Chris Kuroda will be swapping rigs at Madison Square Garden. You’ll also hear the Paul McCartney moment in the Taylor Hawkins tribute dressing room that may have sparked the whole tour, and why Howard insists this is a rejuvenation, a celebration, and proof that no matter the rig, the room, or the era, you’ve gotta ALWAYS BE PERFORMING. Because it’s what we do. Press play and enjoy, folks. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 530 – Monday, April 20th, 2026 April 20th: Pizza Delivery Driver Appreciation Day Guest co-host: Howard Ungerleider 00:02:18 Walked into a NYC office to get a recording contract for his band “You need to learn about this industry before you come knocking on people’s doors.” Introduced him to Action Talent (which became American Talent International) 00:06:21 For $75/week delivering coffee and working in the mailroom After a year and a half he got booted from Monmouth University, then became the ATI gopher 00:08:17 Hey, do you want Fleetwood Mac to play here? 00:11:44 Booking agent 00:13:17 Can you fill in for a week as Blue Oyster Cult’s tour 00:14:51 Howard and Rush were surprised to have Howard working there “I need ten grand” – “no, you can sleep on the floor instead” 00:18:11 Howard had to show Geddy that New York pizza was better than Toronto pizza 00:19:01 Howard learns about Canadian cold Howard’s driving, Geddy’s riding shotgun, Neil’s reading, Alex is smoking a joint 00:20:42 Geddy says, “get out and take a breath of fresh air” 00:22:05 John Rutsey had opted out of touring, Howard moves to Toronto while they’re auditioning drummers “Eventually Neil [Peart] walked in…and that was it.” 00:23:32 Howard and Neil used to jam at Neil’s house Genesis and Supertramp 00:24:19 Road life’s not so bad 200 gigs a year on the road 00:26:09 Rush took a break, Howard did Queensryche and Tesla Howard designed Roll The Bones, but it’s the only tour he couldn’t operate 00:27:51 Howard tour-managed and lighting designed and operated every tour up through Presto, after which he dropped tour-managing 00:28:41 Dave realizes he met Howard on the Presto tour 00:31:43 Don’t put up with crap 00:32:03 Howard’s been doing Rush’s lights since 1974 00:33:05 Moving from clubs and theaters to arenas Howard embedded himself into See Factor, the lighting company. Lots of custom gear 00:34:54 SPONSOR: Warby Parker – Right now, buy one prescription pair and get 20% off any additional prescription pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/GIGGAB 00:36:40 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab 00:38:10 Howard first saw lasers with Blue Oyster Cult Dr. David Infante, Blue Oyster Cult’s laser operator Howard’s lasers on on the road with Foo Fighters, Tool, Janet Jackson and more 00:40:37 RUSH Fifty Something Something completely different than Howard has ever done Other dimensions 00:42:04 Mixing the Juno awards Howard says Neil would approve of Anika. 00:44:51 Hey Howard, surprise! RUSH is going to tour again 00:47:03 Howard did lights for RUSH at Taylor Hawkins tribute 00:48:46 Howard prefers mixing live He “plays” the lighting console live Remote spot locations 00:52:07 RUSH Fifty Something… it’s band of FOUR. Geddy is happy… playing less keyboards, more bass and vocal focus 00:54:42 Howard: “I create lighting choreography” This tour is (currently) 2.5 hours (things can change, folks!) “I try to enhance the show with lighting that can trigger your emotions. I approach it as an audience member.” Loren Gold’s harmonies sound great 00:58:28 Phish and Rush alternating at Madison Square Garden Chris Kuroda also mixes lights live 01:00:45 Howard’s going to 85 dates We’re here to create positivity, have a good time…and Neil Peart is smiling down 01:05:25 Brian Worthen on FOH 01:08:30 Gig Gab 530 Outtro <https://giggabpodcast.com/> Follow Howard Ungerleider Facebook Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post 50 Years of Rush: Howard Ungerleider on Lighting the Lighted Stage – Gig Gab 530 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You don’t need a traditional path to build a thriving music career! Just ask Cliff and Susan Prowse, who turned classical piano chops and play-by-ear instincts into a full-blown lifestyle business. Whether you learned to read music first or figured out theory after the fact, what matters is training your ear to hear intervals, stacking up reps, and putting in the practice until harmony feels like second nature. Use your DAW to sharpen your pitch, but don’t psych yourself or your bandmates out: true tone deafness is rare, and confidence is currency on stage. The bottom line: making a real living in music is absolutely possible when you treat your craft like a skill you never stop sharpening. Once you hit the stage, remember that the crowd is the star and you’re the emcee who just happens to sing and play. Take your audience on a journey: open at mid-energy, build it up, let it breathe, then hit them again. Mix genres, swap instruments, toss in some comedy, and never leave dead air between songs; keep every second purposeful. Think of your set like a video game where you’re always leveling up the room. Manage your breaks with music that matches the vibe so the party never stalls. Playing covers isn’t just a gig — it’s a masterclass in entertainment, and entertainment is its own art form. Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 529 – Monday, April 13th, 2026 April 13th: National Silly Earring Day Guest co-hosts: Susan Erwin Prowse & Cliff Prowse 00:03:02 The Ultimate Lifestyle Business 00:03:33 Starting with a Pure Mathematics Degree to Piano Bars Classical Piano at the base of it all 00:05:04 Bumble Boogie piqued Susan’s ears Make sure your kids see that inspiration 00:07:16 Cliff started with music from the day he was born Always treated instruments delicately, even as a toddler Learned to play by ear, but never learned to read 00:09:44 Reading vs. hearing and Music Theory School band director thought he was reading music, when Cliff was just playing by ear and remembering what the band director Susan learned to hear intervals Cliff decided to learn theory after-the-fact 00:14:28 Learning to play before you learn WHY the notes work 00:18:18 Breaking down vocal harmonies Both Susan and Cliff picks out harmony by ear Singing harmonies with the mixolydian scale with the flat 7 Really, just practice. Repetition is the key to it all! 00:27:20 Using your DAW to help improve your singing Being actually tone deaf is rare Beware of shaking your bandmates’ confidence…or your own 00:33:21 Making a living in the music business is possible! 00:34:26 The science of the show: Piano Bar strategies Top 40, any genre, any decade Learning the skills of doing the singalong concept Susan and Cliff met on-stage at Willy D’s piano bar in Little Rock From piano bars in Little Rock to Los Angeles to Las Vegas and beyond 00:38:31 Taking the crowd on a journey When you’re there to entertain and throw the party The crowd is the star, you AREN’T You’re the emcee, the DJ, you just happen to know how to sing and play piano Keep it interesting by changing the genre, the groove, the style It’s like playing a video game! Mid energy, at first, then bring it up, then let it ease, then maybe repeat Add variety: different instruments, different singers, different styles Add a little comedy to give them a break from the music 00:45:44 Manage your breaks One school: NEVER stop playing Have good break music, make sure the energy matches 00:49:48 Managing your dead air Don’t allow breaks between songs. Always avoid dead air. “Purposeful Talking” 00:52:44 Entertainers Academy 5-Day Gig Amplifier Challenge Susan and Cliff love to teach! 00:56:44 Being in a cover band is a masterclass of learning entertainment skills Entertaining is an art in and of itself 01:00:17 Gig Gab 528 Outtro Follow Cliff & Susan Facebook & Instagram Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Crowd Is the Star: Piano Bar Secrets for Entertaining Any Room – Gig Gab Podcast 529 with Cliff & Susan Prowse appeared first on Gig Gab.

In this episode of Gig Gab, you get the full story of how Kevin “KG” Glendinning cold-emailed his way from a Chicago suburb into a 25-year career mixing monitors for Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Lorde, and more. You hear how a kid sweeping floors at dB Sound ended up on a Metallica tour bus with one piece of advice ringing in his ears: ask questions, stay late, and get a second job because you’re gonna need it. Kevin walks you through migrating artists to in-ear monitors, managing talkback culture for everyone from Eddie Vedder wanting baseball scores to Lorde’s tight production team, and what it takes to help reluctant guitar players finally ditch the wedges. If you’ve ever wondered what separates a good monitor engineer from a great one, this conversation lays it out. You also dive deep into the art and science of making IEMs sound right in every room, every night. Kevin shares his process of minimal reduction: fixing a bad mix by figuring out what to take away, not what to add, and explains why tuning for in-ears is just as critical as tuning a PA. You learn why he flies 4,700 miles for a single gig, why the best mixes sometimes come from a throw-and-go, and how setting up dummy channels lets you experiment without wrecking the artist’s mix. He and Dave talk hearing health, audiograms, the DPA capsule as the only open mic on the Lorde stage, and why knowing your own ears matters more than knowing your gear. Whether you’re mixing monitors at an arena or running sound at a club gig, this episode is packed with wisdom you can use tonight. Always Be Performing, folks! 00:00:00 Gig Gab 528 – Monday, April 6th, 2026 April 6th: National Siamese Cat Day Guest co-host: Kevin Glendinning 00:02:25 Hotmailing his way into a career Watched the credits of a Metallica documentary, realized DB Sound was near the house, emailed Harry… “Hi, I’m Kevin, and I’m interested in audio…” and the rest is history! 00:07:58 Got put on the road as an audio team assistant Trial by fire Advice from the team: Here’s what to do Here’s what not to do Ask questions, stay late, and get a second job because you’re gonna need it 00:11:22 Learning the personal touch parts of being on tour 00:12:52 Being the stage left PA tech, Kevin gravitated towards monitors 00:13:50 Talkback Culture Eddie Vedder wanted baseball scores in his talkback SOMBR for Coachella 2026 (Chris Rabold at FOH) 00:16:18 Managing multiple talkback channels 00:18:08 LORDE on Talkback Phil Harvey on FOH Sarah Parker is LD 00:19:00 Talkback stories Jaret Reddick’s use of talkback mics in Bowling For Soup 00:20:51 Migrating to in-ears IEMs can preserve your hearing, if done right Future Sonics uses dynamic drivers 00:25:09 Helping guitar players to IEMs Mike Dias on Gig Gab Sensaphonics 3MAX IEMs on LORDE tour 00:32:08 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab 00:33:44 Back to helping guitar players with IEMs Problem: when a vocal mic is downstage from a guitar amp Ian Beveridge with Foo Fighters Paul Simon prefers wedges Always be learning First: Learn the human being you’re going to be mixing for 00:41:27 The differences between mixing monitors for Miley Cyrus and Ella LORDE 00:42:48 Monitoring the Artists Monitors TX1 Wireless Transmitters REMI with Brad Madix on Gig Gab 00:47:50 Different rooms sound different on IEMs AFAS Live (formerly Heineken Music Hall) in Amsterdam sounds great Dave says Alamodome in San Antonio is one of the worst-sounding To fix IEMs in a bad-sounding room: what can we reduce to make it sound better? Last night it was a bongo mic that was making the drumset sound too washy in the IEM mix “The process of minimal reduction” Ella’s DPA capsule is the only open mic on-stage on the LORDE tour Tune for the IEMs, too: listen to something you know, and EQ it Tuning the podcast for JH Audio Laylas 01:04:06 Learn your own ears (not your IEMs, your human ears) first Take a hearing test with your phone if you can Kevin and Alicia Keys would go and get their hearing tested together, getting audiograms to compare 01:07:09 IEMs are the most personal audio interaction You have to be psychic! 01:09:46 Flying 4,700 miles to save the day Sometimes the throw-and-go results in the best mix because you’re not overthinking it Tip from Kevin: set up dummy channels to experiment without messing with the actual mix for the IEMs 01:15:57 Gig Gab 528 Outtro Follow Kevin Glendinning IG: @kev_chitown LinkedIn: Kevin ‘KG’ Glendinning Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post Monitoring the Artists’ Monitors: IEM Wisdom from Kevin Glendinning – Gig Gab 528 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You tighten your gig prep by treating every show like a pro mission: build rock-solid routines, line-check your gear and apps, and know your insurance, splitter snake, setlist, click, and IEM plan before you ever hit the stage. You walk into a wedding or club already covered with proper liability, routing, charts, and monitoring so you can stop worrying about logistics and start playing the room. Always Be Performing. Onstage, you think like a storyteller, not just a musician: you record full shows to review your banter and flow, you decide when the click helps and when to ditch it, and you refine what makes your band distinctive so people remember your name and feel the FOMO. Offstage, you act like a lab: you binge showcases at events like SXSW, steal the best ideas, use AI to critique rehearsals, and keep your gig bag dialed so every performance gets sharper, louder, and more undeniable. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 527 – Monday, March 30th, 2026 March 30th: Take a Walk in the Park Day 00:01:29 What is your gig prep process? 00:06:55 Skylar-How does a band get a certificate of insurance for a wedding gig? Insurance Canopy Special Event Insurance 00:11:15 n-Brian from Durham-Do we need a splitter snake? Mixing Station Proreck Splitter Snake 00:16:57 Bill-What Setlist App do you use? forScore 00:19:39 Dan-What click track do you use live? PolyNome 00:21:51 Dan-What about IEMs with ambient filters? Ultimate Ears Ambient Option 00:24:20 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab 00:27:05 I’m a band guy…how about you? 00:30:15 SXSW 2026 — bands seen and lessons learned: 38 showcases in 2026 Family Battenberg Thelma And James Timmy Skelly 00:39:43 Record yourself live, not just for the music, but for the whole show, including your banter. Lainey Wilson vs. John Popper and band 00:43:24 The stiffness of a click, vs not. Soultone vs. Lainey 00:45:56 PODCAST: Rock Talk Studio Podcast 00:47:29 Tell people who you are, and make it distinctive. Leverage FOMO 00:51:54 Olight OClip Pro in your Gig Bag 00:54:25 Moskowizard-Use AI to evaluate your rehearsals (critical listening) 00:57:00 Andy-CSF-Supertone Clear 00:58:16 Gig Gab 527 Outtro Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Stop Winging It: Dial In Your Show with Clicks, Setlists, Insurance, and Gig Prep – Gig Gab 527 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You see how life on the road quietly rewires your brain, from grief and burnout to decision fatigue and STC (Sleepy, Tired, and Crabby), and how Courtney and Paul built The Roadie Clinic to give crews a place to tell their story and get real help. Through flights, heat‑canceled shows, and jumps from Fallon to Timberlake, John Legend, Drake, and beyond, you learn to Always Be Performing for your own mental health with boundaries, support systems, and even AI to protect your headspace. You’re handed concrete ways to care for yourself and your people: snow policies and “last chance to say no” moments, non‑negotiable laundry time, color‑coded calendars that lower stress, and simple communication habits that keep relationships from snapping under pressure. By the end, you’re invited to treat your brain like your most critical piece of touring gear—and to build a crew culture where dignity, respect, and mental health are baked into every gig.​ 00:00:00 Gig Gab 526 – Monday, March 23rd, 2026 March 23rd: National Puppy Day Guest co-hosts: Courtney Klimson and Paul Klimson 00:01:43 Choosing Niles, Michigan for The Roadie Clinic 2019: From living in NYC to “the middle of nowhere” Michigan (but it’s right near an airport) With lots of puppies! 00:04:05 The Roadie Clinic and the whole Human Experience After some family tragedies, Courtney joined Paul on a European leg of the Timberlake tour to support him through the grief 00:07:56 Hottest Day in Central Park doing a show for John Legend And Paul winds up with a sprained ankle but the show must go on…until it’s canceled for the heat! Then off to Sicily the next day… and Courtney joins again! 00:13:24 On the flights, Courtney 00:15:40 “The Show Must Go On” Institute a snow policy 00:17:40 And so exists The Roadie Clinic Remote assistance: tell me your story, how can I help? Works closely with MusiCares RoadieDocRx Decision Fatigue can sometimes be solved by AI 00:26:30 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:28:03 Where are you going today, Paul? John Legend to Timberlake to Drake Multi-colored calendars to save the marriage…and the business 00:30:18 From being the monitor/foldback engineer at Fallon to meeting lots of bands …and managers. “Protect the brand” worked to develop relationships 00:32:55 What Gets the Gig Done? What can I do best that serves the team? Scovill’s Back Lounge 00:37:02 The @ Rule of Texting STC = Sleepy Tired and Crabby 00:39:38 Is this the last opportunity I have to say “no”? 00:43:55 Laundry time matters! 00:45:26 Studying Roadie Brains A lot of Parkinsons, PTSD, Strokes From Fallon to Timberlake 00:47:15 Tricks of being efficient with engineers Step one: Communicate the Input List and Stage Plot 00:50:43 Paul Klimson’s Talkback System 00:54:00 We’re going to win because we’re efficient and we care about humans Dignity and Respect Superbowl Halftime Show – Minneapolis Jimmy Fallon Show … and SNL How are you using AI? 00:57:14 Gig Gab 526 Outtro Follow Paul and Courtney Klimson @TheRoadieClinic Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Touring Brains: Boundaries, Burnout, and Being OK, with Courtney and Paul Klimson – Gig Gab 526 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You get a front-row seat to how Michael Grande turned hard-won tech chops and late-night studio hacks into real music-business wins. From escaping NAMM chaos and leveraging smart PR and management, to transforming a throwaway “stupid idea” into Card Chords—an Amazon-topping guitar tool born from a Cricut, Guitar Center testing, and sheer persistence—you see how necessity, experimentation, and saying yes the first time landed him in Jimi Hendrix’s old bedroom at Electric Lady Studios, shredding in the lineage of Vai and Satriani, and inventing Tone Picks on the fly. Along the way, you’re reminded that when you know you’re right, you embrace it, protect your IP, and keep swinging big—whether that’s launching music schools, eyeing Shark Tank with a bold offer, or pivoting your career from Wall Street CTO and Certified Ethical Hacker to full-on guitar innovator. Then you’re pushed to rethink how you teach, lead, and build your own music brand. You learn why great schools and studios run on clear mission statements, strong unique selling propositions, and a coaching mindset that focuses on the student, not the curriculum—getting them hooked on the songs they actually want to play, then turning them toward what they need. You see how asking potential customers for their own answers, treating every audience like they matter, and showing up like a coach instead of a teacher all point to one core operating principle: you’re never off-duty, because you Always Be Performing—ALWAYS. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 525 – Monday, March 16th, 2026 March 16th: Freedom of Information Day Guest co-host: Michael Grande from Card Chords and more 00:02:14 Getting out of NAMM 00:03:10 Have a good PR guy! Christopher Buttner 00:04:15 Hey, NAMM: How high can I go? 00:06:09 Can you afford NOT to hire a manager? Or a PR person? Our Mistakes are Our Tuition – Business Brain 00:08:04 COVID Vaccines lead to Card Chords Mike was a (very successful) ​Certified Ethical Hacker & CTO on Wall Street 00:11:09 Dad – come up with an idea to teach people how to play guitar “That’s a stupid idea” – Ignore, and move on. Bought a Cricut machine, built the prototype and tested it on hundreds of guitars at Guitar Center Came out on December 21st, and became Amazon’s #1 Musical Accessories item within 30 days Also includes an eBook to teach out Beatles, Bon Jovi, Guns and Roses songs WITH Card Chords 00:16:35 Born of Necessity! 00:18:39 The birth of Tone Picks Story time: I didn’t bring a 12-string to Electric Lady Studios at 3am Taped two picks together to simulate a 12-string sound. 00:21:41 How did you get on the list of Electric Lady Studios session players? Mike was a shredder after Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, etc 00:22:27 Recording in Jimi Hendrix’s old bedroom at Electric Lady Studios! Say yes the first time! Sponsors 00:25:39 SPONSOR: Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with flavorful and nutritious ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door. Visit FactorMeals.com/giggab50off and use code giggab50off for 50% off! 00:27:22 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab 00:28:51 Mike uses Gusto for his Music Schools! 00:30:33 Running music schools Mike’s Book: From Teacher to Coach: (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher) Taught private lessons, then students wanted more, so… Mike started The Staten Island School of Rock 00:33:37 Mike’s coaching methods are different Learning hands-on Getting students hooked on the songs you want to play THEN turn them around 00:34:42 You gotta be juiced about playing the songs Gig Gab 500 with Skylar and the drum coaching story 00:37:16 You need to have a mission statement Mike’s: “We build the confidence and self-esteem through music lessons” You need a Unique Selling Proposition! 00:39:30 Mike’s Unique Selling Proposition Never answer the question… ask the potential customer for the answer! 00:41:48 A teacher focuses on the curriculum, a coach focuses on the student 00:42:44 Mary Fanaro’s Rwanda Rocks Rwanda’s Minister of Education: The children of Rwanda don’t need teachers, they need coaches. 00:48:08 When you know you’re right, embrace it. 00:49:45 Always Be Performing…ALWAYS! 00:53:18 An audience wants to be treated 00:55:23 We’re always wearing 00:57:54 The Chinese stole Mike’s IP for Card Chords Mike’s got a new product that is in the running for Shark Tank Mike’s offer to Shark Tank will be: 20% of his company for $1 01:03:23 Gig Gab 525 Outtro Follow Michael Grande CardChords.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From Wall Street Hacker to Music Mogul: Michael Grande’s Journey – Gig Gab 525 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You’re invited into a legacy family audio business that refused to accept “good enough” on feedback control and instead chased the impossible: a truly zero‑latency, AI‑driven way to push your PA louder without squeals. You follow Devin Sheets from growing up on sound gigs to roaming European stages, then back home to build De‑Feedback plugin for working musicians, a live sound feedback plugin and on‑the‑fly impulse‑response generator that listens like a seasoned engineer: separating human voice, room reverb, background noise, and feedback in real time so you can grab at least 6 dB more gain before things start to howl. Along the way you see how NAMM sparked the idea, how inverse impulse responses and probability math beat old EQ and gate tricks, and how “homebrew AI” meant sneaking into every empty church at 3 a.m. just to teach the model what real rooms actually sound like. You also learn how to think like a modern working musician: using social media to find the right AI programmers across the world, leaning on LLMs to translate, collaborate, and even rate contractor work so you can move faster without losing control. You come away knowing you can drop a dedicated De‑Feedback box or plugin into almost any rig, from churches to touring consoles to tiny clubs, take it with you even when someone else is behind the board, and quietly stack the deck in your favor. In the end, it’s a roadmap for how you run your own gigs and career: stay curious, embrace new tools, protect your sound, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 524 – Monday, March 9th, 2026 March 9th: National Meatball Day Guest co-host: Devin Sheets from Alpha Labs 00:02:12 Let’s Grow this Legacy Family Business Grew up doing sound Also a musician Lived in Europe Then came back and said, “let’s grow this family business!” 00:03:44 We haven’t “just solved” this feedback problem Went to NAMM for the first time, and was inspired There are automated EQ-based or gate-based systems PSE plugin from Waves 5045 for feedback 00:04:57 Why isn’t there a “balanced audio”-type solution for Feedback Balanced Audio fixes hums and it just works. 00:08:24 NAMM is a great inspiration…and it inspired Devin and his team to seek a feedback plugin solution People get entrenched Inverse Impulse Response methodology 00:12:35 Training the AI to listen for three things: human voice, reverb, and feedback Created a de-reverb algorithm and went beyond that A probability calculation does the math 00:16:05 Truly zero latency for the plugin Workflow latency remains 00:19:32 I don’t have any coding or AI background, but I have a gut feeling AI will fix this feedback problem Others: It’s harder than you think Devin: I knew that it needed to happen 00:20:58 Finding an AI programmer who was interested in doing Experimented with some programmers, failed, learned some things! 00:21:09 Social Media to the rescue! Late 2023: Devin found a group of AI programmers who would be interested Sending large amounts of money to China…it’s a risk! 00:26:30 At 3am, a text message: I think I’ve done it. Devin immediately started testing it himself “It seemed to work.” 00:27:17 Installing De-Feedback in Churches Sponsors 00:30:57 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab 00:32:43 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:34:20 What is an impulse response? Impulse Response: An audio picture of how the room sounds Popping balloons in a room/environment and recording the sound is a common approach for creating impulse responses 00:38:33 De-Feedback is an on-the-fly IR generator …and analyzer that’s trained on the human voice, room reverb, background noise…and feedback 00:41:55 Finding the right programmers was the key …in addition to actually having the idea and the bullheaded persistence to make it happen. 00:44:46 Mind-melding was necessary And LLMs helped with translation! 00:48:39 Using AI to make it possible to collaborate with other humans 00:50:03 Using an LLM to rate the work of your contractors and employees 00:51:54 How do we get De-Feedback into the hands of working musicians US$499 for the De-Feedback plugin VST3 or AU plugin A higher-end Windows laptop can likely run it on its own Apple’s Core Audio tech makes it difficult, but they’re working on it. De-Feedback also sells a perfectly-tuned headless computer to do this Alpha Labs tried tons of interfaces that the Focusrite Scarlett keeps glitches out of the mix Waves SuperRack LiveBox 01:01:37 Where do we expand? Allen & Heath mixers? Midas/Behringer mixers? Paul Falcone, mixing Mariah Carey, wanted to use it! Robert Scovill talking Rock Hall on Gig Gab 01:05:18 Homebrew AI! Training EVERY room he could find “Can you let me into your empty church at 3am?” – To record IR to then train the data set for De-Feeback 01:07:25 Creating your own AI model 01:08:13 What’s the future look like? Acquisition? Demands for security? – Planning for it all 01:09:26 You can get this and bring it with you to gigs where someone else is doing sound De-Feedback Option 1 Allen & Heath Qu-5’s Feedback Eliminator De-Feedback gets at least as 6dB more gain before feedback 01:17:46 Gig Gab 524 Outtro Follow Devin Sheets And Alpha Labs Facebook and Instagram YouTube for Alpha Labs Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post De-Feedback Plugin for Working Musicians: More Gain, Less Feedback – Gig Gab 524 with Devin Sheets appeared first on Gig Gab.

You get dropped into a two-show day where you’re juggling festival chaos, a paramedic emergency during set change, and a mysteriously mudded-out bass that turns out to be a rogue low‑pass filter at 90 Hz, all while keeping the gig on the rails because you Always Be Performing. Then you pivot into first‑timer survival tactics for attending SXSW: locking in reservations weeks out, over‑planning so you can gleefully abandon those plans, and treating the whole thing as a marathon and a sprint while your calendar app becomes your best friend…and your worst enemy. Throughout it all, you’re thinking like a pro: dialing in efficient monitor setups for festival stages, dealing with sketchy solder joints on a microphone (or is that a mic cable issue?), staying sane amid SXSW security, and never underestimating the power of great brisket, BBQ, and a solid spot to reset your brain. You’ll also get the practical stuff no one tells you: what to wear, why you always keep your badge on you, and how finding a seasoned SXSW Sherpa can save your week (and your feet) before you ever hit your first line. ​From Festival Gigs to SXSW: Essential Survival Tips for Musicians and Attendees 00:00:00 Gig Gab 523 – Monday, March 2nd, 2026 March 2nd: International Rescue Cat Day Guest co-host: Lisa Hamilton 00:01:41 Two Show Day for Dave First gig, Bitter Pill – Festival And there was a paramedic Bitter Pill: It’s Rock and Roll… It’s Rockabilly… It’s Blues… I don’t know! 00:10:43 Second gig – somehow the bass got a low-pass filter set at 90hZ! Problem solved, gig a success! 00:18:23 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab 00:20:00 Attending SXSW for the first time 00:25:45 Learning how to manage SXSW 00:27:30 SXXpress passes become Reservations And now they’re 3-weeks out instead of 2 days! 00:33:21 Reserving things in advance 00:37:25 It’s all about planning in advance And then throwing away your plans and making a series of Sophie’s Choices 00:39:24 It’s a marathon…and a sprint 00:39:42 Managing the Calendar 00:43:39 With the App 00:48:43 Managing your monitor needs with efficiency at festival gigs 00:52:51 Security at SXSW 00:58:15 Luke Warm Solder Joint on the Microphone Heil PR-40 00:58:57 Eat good food! Brisket and BBQ Eastside Cafe in Austin 01:01:11 What should I wear? 01:06:36 Find a SXSW Sherpa! 01:07:58 Finding your badge? 01:08:59 Always have your badge with you 01:11:38 Gig Gab 523 Outtro Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post From Festival Gigs to SXSW: Survival Tips for Musicians and Attendees — Gig Gab 523 with Lisa Hamilton appeared first on Gig Gab.

You’re riding along with Kaitlyn Raitz as she breaks down the real mechanics of touring at scale: staying human on a bus, finding tiny routines that keep you sane, and surviving the sleep math when you’re one of twelve buses on a massive run. Then it’s straight into the onstage reality of modern country arena production: 24 musicians, a full string quartet, choir, and horns, plus the challenge of making strings translate in a loud arena. You get the practical gear-and-tech layer too: DPA mics and pickups, dynamic EQ, managing cello loudness, and how tools like ToneDexter fit into keeping tone consistent when the room is working against you. You also get the career side, unfiltered: how the Eric Church gig happened through the Nashville relationship web, why being excellent and easy to be around matters, and why “Nashville is a ten-year town” if you want longevity. Kaitlyn’s stories span arranging and learning charts mid-tour from iPads, to the whiplash of getting a Grammy call with barely any runway, to recording in LA and wondering how anyone actually functions there. The episode closes with the mindset and performance skills that keep pros durable: protecting your brain and nervous system, flipping a stage persona on and off, and the practical win of transitioning to IEMs for a cellist when monitors are run well. Bottom line: this is how you keep your craft sharp, your head steady, and your show consistent night after night. Always Be Performing.​ 00:00:00 Gig Gab 522 – Monday, February 23rd, 2026 February 23rd: Curling Is Cool Day Guest co-host: Kaitlyn Raitz 00:01:55 Protein and Joy on the bus 00:02:14 Passing the time productively on the bus…and on the tour Swimming Swimply OR PlacesToSwim.com Thrifting 00:05:53 Sleeping on the bus! Twelve tour busses on this tour 00:07:26 24 Musicians on stage String Quartet 8-Person Choir Horn/Woodwind Quartet 00:09:45 Micing a string quartet in an arena DPA Mics AND pickups Dynamic EQ 00:14:47 Cellos and Loudness ToneDexter 00:18:50 Writing, arranging and learning charts mid-tour! Reading from iPads Eleanor Denning, String Lead and Arranger on the Eric Church Tour Bitter Pill has a cellist, too! 00:21:33 Getting the Eric Church gig Sub list for the Nashville Symphony Everything in Nashville is relationship-based Be good at what you do, and also be a pleasant person that people want to be around Nashville is a ten-year town 00:25:07 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:26:55 You played on the Grammy’s? Used to play with Brandy Clark, and occasionally gets a one-off gig call still. AND, a week-and-a-half before the Grammy’s, the call came in Do you want to play the Grammy’s with me? Kaitlyn has questions for LA-denizens: How do you live in LA? Do you see people that you know? Do you take public transportation? Recorded at Sunset Sounds in LA 00:33:05 Protecting your brain and nervous system Take on a persona “You are Kaitlyn Motherfucking Raitz” “We are bad bitches, we have earned this” Gary Cherone is the master of turning the stage persona on AND OFF Let the lights blind you 00:40:25 Transitioning to IEMs It’s great for a cellist! IEMs are better than having to use bone conduction Kaitlyn’s IEM mix – she hears the band It comes down to who’s running monitors Ultimate Ears UE7 Pros IEMs 00:47:06 Kaitlyn Raitz’s Music 00:48:52 Gig Gab 522 Outtro Follow Kaitlyn Raitz On Instagram On Facebook Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From the Eric Church Tour to the Grammys: On the Bus with Cellist Kaitlyn Raitz – Gig Gab 522 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You kick off this week with Dan Ray by reframing failure as a tool, not a verdict. Instead of obsessing over the “vanity listen” after a gig or rehearsal, you do the check-in listen and extract the lesson. You learn to fail fast the right way by making small bets that generate real data quickly, including testing demand before you invest rehearsal time. That mindset carries into band direction changes and the leadership realities that come with them: different people want different levels of ownership, and the job is to be a benevolent dictator who listens widely but decides cleanly. You also get practical about managing public perception and egos, taking cues from bands that protected the brand by being intentional about roles and visibility. Then you dig into Dan’s origin stories and the nuts-and-bolts that keep working musicians moving: starting a band young, landing monthly gigs, and learning obvious-in-hindsight lessons like not running a vocal mic through a guitar amp. You hear how scrappy tools like a Tascam 4-track can solve real problems, why running a PA from the stage demands discipline, and why the room you rehearse in changes what you think you’re hearing. From there it gets wonderfully nerdy with quick hits that matter in real life, like using low-pass filters aggressively and remembering that time alignment starts with where sound sources physically live. You close in the feels with theater life and the emotional punch of closing night, a reminder that the tech and the business serve the same goal: show up ready, stay present, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 521 – Monday, February 16th, 2026 February 16th: National Rationalization Day 00:02:08 Guest co-host: Dan Ray Last visit: July 19, 2020 for GG 265 and CBC 100 00:03:23 Having a productive relationship with failure Failure can a lesson you lean into After gigs or rehearsals: the check-in listen vs. the vanity listen Fail fast the right way: “make a bet” by setting up something that you can quickly get data from 00:08:47 Transitioning a band’s direction Dan’s Big in the 80s band 00:10:10 Test your market before committing too much Book the gig before you rehearse the songs. Make sure there’s demand and interest. If not… move on! (You failed fast!) Cover Band Confidential 00:12:52 AI solves the blank page problem – use it often! 00:14:28 Leading bands (and people) Be ready for people who want to engage with different levels of ownership Learning how to be a benevolent dictator… but also learn to be the leader, and the decision-maker, the ultimate arbiter. Don’t do it in a vacuum, but I’ll be the last word. The Pork Tornadoes are a democracy-ish. But decision-makers are pre-decided by a healthy division of labor. Learning to manage the public perception of your band (and your egos) like R.E.M. and RUSH did. 00:22:37 Do you name your band after yourself? My Thanks to Our Sponsors 00:25:09 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab 00:26:50 SPONSOR: Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with flavorful and nutritious ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door. Visit FactorMeals.com/giggab50off and use code giggab50off for 50% off! 00:28:38 First kid in high school to start a band Grew out of the school-run rock band Decided to play some originals and covers at home, and got a gig! The school librarian booked them monthly! Lesson: don’t put a vocal mic through the guitar amp Tascam 4-Track cassette recorder to use as a mixer 00:33:27 Dan Manages the PA from the stage We rehearse in a 15×20 indoor, climate-controlled storage unit 00:36:32 Quick Tip: Use Low Pass Filters on everything 00:37:35 Time Alignment: A reminder that sound source locations matter Check out the 16-minute mark of this episode with Robert Scovill for more 00:40:36 Having theater kids Stagelights in Greensboro, NC 00:43:05 The emotions during closing night in musical theater 00:50:12 Gig Gab 522 Outtro Follow Dan Ray @DanRayMusician @CoverBandConfidential Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post Cover Band Confidential’s Dan Ray: Test the Market, Then Rehearse – Gig Gab 521 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You jump into this episode balancing the reality of working gigs with the mindset that keeps musicians moving forward. From Dave’s recent experiences playing atypical rooms with Bitter Pill to cramming new material for Casual Gravity, you’re reminded that momentum matters even when the crowd is small. Always Be Performing is not about scale, it’s about consistency. That theme carries straight into the conversation with Laura Whitmore, whose career has been shaped by connecting people, creating opportunities, and knowing when to pull back just enough to build a sustainable life alongside the work. As Laura walks you through the birth and growth of the She Rocks Awards, you hear what it actually takes to build something lasting. It started small, grew through trust and partnerships, and evolved by treating the event like a show, with pacing, flow, and intention. You dig into what real visibility looks like, how to define success on your own terms, and why borrowed platforms are never enough to build a career. The takeaway is practical and clear: start with a big vision, set measurable goals, build community deliberately, and own your audience. This episode is a reminder that longevity comes from intention, preparation, and showing up with purpose, gig after gig. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 520 – Monday, February 9th, 2026 February 9th: National Pizza Day 00:01:00 Dave’s Gig Updates Playing atypical venues with Bitter Pill Learning new songs with Casual Gravity Always Be Performing…even for the small crowds! 00:17:10 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:18:34 Guest co-host: Laura Whitmore 00:22:20 The love of connecting people and making things happen 00:23:08 Pulling back a little…to have a life Backstory in partnership with Guitar World and Parade 00:26:28 The green room at The She Rocks Awards is the ultimate networking event! 00:29:33 The Birth of the She Rocks Awards Writing a women-in-music blog at Guitar World, realizing the women in music didn’t know each other… yet! Started as a breakfast (with sponsors…the cheapest meal of the day!). Orianthi performed, serendipitously. After two successful years, NAMM invited She Rocks into the event officially, and The Bangles performed. “You don’t really know what you’re capable of until you’re challenged and take that leap of faith.” – Laura Whitmore 2026 was the 14th year of She Rocks Awards. 170 She Rocks Awards have been presented in the last 14 years. 00:34:51 “Is this ever going to come together?” is scary Reframe it with “how is this ever going to come together?” It takes a village, folks! 00:38:12 Having good partners helps 00:38:59 Create the event for yourself as an audience member That way you’ve got a stake in how it “feels” to attend, which means the audience is represented 00:41:16 Assembling the featured women Nominations at TheWimn.com Crafting the arc of the night by slotting the right people at the right spot. It’s a show! 00:43:49 Managing the flow of the night She Rocks Awards YouTube Channel 00:46:58 People whose names became known after they were on She Rocks Queen Herby (as Amy Heidemann) Beaches PRS Guitars brings in the opening act, with a fantastic Artist Relations team 00:49:40 Defining valuable visibility What’s your end goal? What are your metrics? What defines success? For your band, those might be: Did I get contact information? Did I build on success that I had before? Did this exposure opportunity help me grow to a new place/level? Start with big vision, small goals 00:54:16 You don’t own social media platforms, so don’t leave your audience there. Facebook used to let you message all your followers. Used to! If your audience is a subset of Facebook’s audience, that’s not your audience. Give them a reason to give you their email address. Gather those email addresses. Keep those pieces of paper – scan them! Spam laws might require you to prove it! 01:00:18 Gear Gab! Laura Whitmore is Sr. VP of Marketing at Positive Grid Spark practice amps (with an app!) Project BIAS X – Standalone or Plugin 01:07:36 Designing high-quality technology for a market with a budget 01:13:02 Gig Gab 520 Outtro Follow Laura Whitmore Check out TheWIMN.com (sign up for the mailing list for free! On Instagram On LinkedIn Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Creating the Room You Want to Be In: Laura Whitmore and the She Rocks Story – Gig Gab 520 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You walk into NAMM 2026 thinking you will just wander and see what grabs you. You leave reminded that wandering works best when paired with a plan and a willingness to torch a few sacred cows along the way. This episode is a fast-moving field report from the floor, where the real takeaway is not just gear but mindset. You hear why talking with people matters more than chasing booths, why listening beats pitching, and how staying flexible turns a chaotic show into a productive one. NAMM rewards curiosity, but only if you stay intentional and remember that Always Be Performing is not about being loud, it is about being present. From there, you get a tight rundown of what actually stood out. You hear about clever mic and monitoring solutions, portable PA ideas that punch above their weight, smart tools for managing stage volume and feedback, and electronic drums and keyboards that feel less like compromises and more like real instruments. There is a clear throughline here: gear is getting smaller, smarter, and more musician-centric, solving real problems instead of adding features for the spec sheet. By the end, you are not just caught up on what Dave saw at NAMM 2026, you are thinking differently about how to approach shows, stages, and decisions long after the badges come off. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 519 – Monday, February 2nd, 2026 February 2nd: National Tater Tot Day NAMM Coverage Sponsors Ultimate Ears Pro Earthworks Audio Rock-N-Roller Carts 00:02:23 NAMM Guidance Wandering is fun. But have a plan also. Be ready to abandon sacred cows Talk with people… share and listen 00:05:11 DPA Microphones on the Yamaha Stage 00:13:12 JBL BANDBOX Solo ($250) and BANDBOX Trio ($600) 00:18:37 D’Addario IR Mic Mute 00:21:05 Card Chords 00:24:55 UE 350 from Ultimate Ears 00:27:57 Sensaphonics IEM dB Check Pro 00:35:27 Efnote Electronic Drums Efnote 3 (with optical hi-hats) – $2,499 00:36:52 KickPort KickTone Pro microphone 00:40:12 Alpha Labs De-Feedback in action 00:43:57 Nord Electro 7 00:46:27 Allen & Heath Qu-5 00:49:49 iCON P1-M (on Amazon) 00:52:31 QSC CB10 00:55:21 Gig Gab 519 Outtro Thanks to Parthenon Huxley for today’s outro song. And thanks, Hux, for everything you gave us all while you were here on this earth! Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Gear, Gimmicks, and the Good Stuff at NAMM 2026 – Gig Gab 519 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Dave’s back from NAMM 2026 and has a little something to share about that. Actually three little somethings, so that’s where we start. But there’s more to say about that, and it’s not yet time, so we’ll extend the NAMM discussions into next week (and beyond?). For today, well, you don’t become the Sauce Boss by chasing a gimmick. You hear how Bill Wharton built a real, working-musician career by leaning hard into what felt natural to him, starting with a Datil pepper, a pot of gumbo, and a simple idea: turn the gig into a gathering. From cooking onstage on New Year’s Eve 1989 to feeding hundreds of people at festivals and never charging a dime for the food, Bill shows how blending music and food transformed shows from transactions into shared experiences. By creating a kitchen onstage, he stopped entertaining people just long enough to take their money and run, and instead built something with a life of its own, something that keeps audiences leaning in and coming back. As the conversation unfolds, you trace Bill’s path from top-40 bar gigs to one-man-band independence, full-band firepower, and stages as far-flung as Saudi Arabia. You hear why learning your strengths and ruthlessly discarding what doesn’t matter is not selfish, it’s survival. From dynamics, gear choices, and in-ear monitors to the lessons behind Blind Boy Billy, Bill makes the case that longevity comes from clarity, connection, and doing your thing without apology. The message for working musicians is direct and empowering: build the show you want to play, build the life that supports it, and keep showing up ready to give. Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 518 – Monday, January 26th, 2026 January 26th: National Spouse Day Guest co-host: Bill Wharton NAMM Coverage Sponsors Ultimate Ears Professional Earthworks Audio Rock-n-Roller 00:14:31 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:16:21 Guest co-host: Bill Wharton 00:18:41 How to become a sauce boss magnate…while also being a musician Bill found the Datil pepper. Spicy and flavorful. People would eat all the sauce at his house So he made Liquid Summer hot sauce But he wanted to sell hot sauce at gigs. December 31, 1989 – made a pot of gumbo on stage to demo the hot sauce No one would ever have to pay for for my gumbo… 240,000 bowls later, here we are! 00:23:26 Blending music and food. It’s better than entertaining people, taking the money, and run! 00:25:12 Food and music are good together Every good party has everyone hanging out in the kitchen Bill creates the kitchen on stage 00:26:33 That first Sauce Boss gig 00:28:16 It has a life of its own and takes care of itself It took 3.5 hours to know that this was going to work long-term 00:30:38 Bill: “Always looking for something distinctively mine…something unique” It’s hard to do your own thing. 00:33:15 The typical sauce boss gig means cooking for 100 (or more) people 400 people at a festival (it took TWO pots of gumbo) 00:35:07 From Florida to Saudi Arabia Sauce Boss plays/cooks at an Air Force base in Saudi Arabia 00:37:09 A soul-shouting picnic of Rock and Roll Brotherhood One or two 75-minute sets The show never ends 00:40:16 Learn, and then KNOW your strengths Started playing top-40 gigs as a kid …and then realized that’s a rat trap. Bill made a point of putting only the stuff that matters to him in his day…and his show. Being “greedy” about putting my thing out there. If I can do this, you can do this Discard the things you don’t enjoy, embrace the things you do. Story Time, it turns out! 00:43:23 Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about the Sauce Boss – “I Will Play For Gumbo” Playing a gig at Jimmy Buffett’s club in New Orleans… and Jimmy was there! “This is the best (bar) band I’ve seen in a long time.” 00:47:13 Where did “Sauce Boss” come from? Tobacco Road, in Miami 00:49:47 Bread and Butter is the One Man Band “But I have a music problem, and I like jammin’ with my buds!” There’s something that happens when you have a little more firepower of a full band 00:53:13 Bill is his own funky one-man band with a kick drum, hi-hat, and a guitar 00:55:16 Dynamics are everything in terms of keeping a crowd 00:57:09 Bill’s thoughts on in-ear monitors Future Sonics 01:02:17 Gear Gab: Create a portable screen/keyboard/mouse for your home studio 01:06:24 The Life and Times of Blind Boy Billy A songbook, a recipe book, and Bill’s memoir. 01:09:29 Gig Gab 519 Outtro Follow Bill Wharton, the Sauce Boss Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Gumbo, Gigs, and Grit: Bill Wharton’s Sauce Boss Path — Gig Gab 518 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You’ve done gigs where nothing goes according to plan, but this episode reminds you that chaos is often the classroom. From sleeping on road cases at the Puerto Rican Day Parade to riding a flatbed packed with servo-driven subs that overwhelmed even earplugs and shooting cans, you hear how real-world pressure forges real skills. Mike deAlmeida walks you through learning to roll with it, figuring out systems on the fly before tools like Smaart were common, and walking into unknown gigs where the unknown singer/songwriter turns out to be Shawn Colvin. The lesson is clear: when you don’t know the band, communication is everything. Ask how they sound, listen closely, and remember that for that moment, you are part of the band. You’re playing the “mixing keyboard” today, so Always Be Performing. As the night wears on, the room changes and so must you. Heat, humidity, and ear fatigue quietly shift the mix, especially in the highs and high-mids, and Mike explains why gradual adjustments beat drastic moves every time. You’re reminded to watch the show, not just the meters, and to listen first before using tools like Smaart to confirm what your ears already know. From sweating out microphones and treating them like EQ devices to protecting your hearing with custom molds, active earplugs, and smart exposure management, this episode ties craft, tech, and longevity together. Layer in legendary Celebrity Week stories, the Van Halen M&Ms lesson, and Beach Boys theatrics, and you’re left with one guiding principle: mix a good show, every time, because that’s how careers last. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 517 – Monday, January 19th, 2026 January 19th: Tin Can Day Guest co-host: Mike deAlmeida, Program Director, Audio Engineering at University of Hartford NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:01:50 Puerto Rican Day Parade Sleeping on road cases overnight An insane number of speakers Earplugs + Shooting cans STILL were too loud Servo drives – highly efficient, but not fast. They have motors in them. Security wouldn’t let us off the truck. 00:06:43 Gig learning vs. classroom learning Learning to roll with it 00:08:52 When you don’t know the band A little jazz band…as wallpaper Sussed out the system manually (before the Smaart Live days!) And a singer/songwriter… who turned out to be Shawn Colvin 00:12:52 Communicating with a band you’ve never seen Very helpful tips: “Here’s how our band sounds.” Guitar players who manage their levels between rhythm and solos As an engineer, you are a member of the band (for that moment) “You play mixing keyboard today” 00:20:37 Teaching the foundation in class, students often seek practical experience on their own Finding practical applications WHILE you’re in class is gold. You learn so much. It all comes back to communication skills For FOH engineers, watch the show! Pay attention to the band members 00:24:30 Sound changes throughout the night Heat and humidity will cause ebbs and flows (especially outdoors, but even inside) Watch the highs and high-mids Sound travels faster through a thick medium Gradual adjustments so it sounds better Increasing the mains throughout the show to keep the perceived level due to ear fatigue Smaart Live for tweaking live sound Listen first, then use the gear to confirm what you’re hearing 00:31:35 When I mix, I want to hear a good show So I tell the sound guy (me) to mix a good show 00:32:57 Using the tech to isolate live to find (and fix) problems Beyerdynamic MM1 – a measurement mic AND a podcast mic 00:33:48 Learning the nuances of problems 00:35:24 Hot lights to add to the sun! Sweating out microphones… heat shrink tubing plus medical tape solves it Microphones are EQ devices – Matt from Roswell Audio 00:39:38 Mixing with earplugs? Westone custom mold earplugs with 15dB Etymotic filters Hearing protection vs. exposure time US Navy study on hearing health with submarine crew Huberman Lab episode on hearing health 00:44:39 AirPods Pro “active earplugs” (aka Hearing Protection) Comply Foam tips for AirPods Pro DefendEar from Westone 00:52:25 Stories from Celebrity Week at North Shore Music Theatre Almost got into a rumble with Al Martino Face the wall when Wynona Judd walks by Gallagher (or his brother!) The Beach Boys Weird Al 00:56:04 The Van Halen M&Ms story 00:57:37 The Beach Boys surfing on the revolving stage 00:59:41 Gig Gab 519 Outtro Follow Mike deAlmeida Check the University of Hartford’s BS in Audio Engineering Technology Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Engineer Is in the Band: Instinct, Ears, and Live Sound with Mike deAlmeida — Gig Gab 517 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You jump straight into the deep end with Richie Castellano as you explore what happens when preparation collides with opportunity. You follow his path from mixing weddings to standing behind massive analog rigs, wrangling six guitar channels, chasing down mysterious hums, and learning fast that the gremlins always show up when you least expect them. When the call comes to go from being Blue Oyster Cult’s sub sound engineer to bass player in four days with 21 songs to learn, the lesson is clear: play something you know, rehearse smart, and build a Just In Case bag that saves the gig. Success is not luck. It is preparation meeting the moment, and you are either ready or you are not. In order to Always Be Performing you need to Always Be Preparing! As the conversation deepens, you learn how adaptability gets and keeps gigs, from joining the culture of a band to solving problems so painlessly you become indispensable. Richie breaks down the craft of learning, teaching, and arranging vocal harmonies, including Yes music at the highest level, where not nailing the vocals means the whole thing falls apart. You hear why simplifying is sometimes the smart move, how spreadsheets can ease rehearsals, and why blending matters more than showing off. The episode closes with practical wisdom on collaboration with front of house, constant communication inside the band, and surrounding yourself with people on the same mission. This is a masterclass in being prepared, predictable, drama-free, and trusted when it counts. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 516 – Monday, January 12th, 2026 January 12th: National Hot Tea Day Guest co-host: Richie Castellano NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:01:40 From mixing weddings to arenas overnight Called to sub as Blue Oyster Cult’s sound engineer Steve “Woody” La Cerra “Make them sound like a big bad rock band” 00:06:53 The differences doing sound in a big room? Six channels of guitar for 3 guitar players! Where’s the cowbell?!? 00:10:28 Arriving ten minutes before downbeat with the biggest system of my life And it’s analog! What’s that low hum 00:12:49 The Gremlins That Run Around On Stage When You’re Not Looking Play something you know 00:17:46 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:19:10 From sound to…playing bass in four days! Here’s 18 songs… I mean 21 songs. Be ready to play this by Friday Success is when preparation meets opportunity. Here’s the opportunity. Now you have to prepare for it! Buck Dharma on Gig Gab First gig was canceled… But that led to a rehearsal Time to talk about the JustInCase…aka the Idiot Bag! Plugged into the TV to rehearse 00:22:39 “If you can do this five times in a row, this will be your gig.” 00:25:02 Do you just want me to join the band? If you solve a problem for someone painlessly, you’re not likely to be replaced. Be Prepared and Predictable And No Drama 00:28:41 Joining the culture of a band Matt Beck on guitar for the recent Jon Anderson tour fit perfectly Being adaptable gets and keeps gigs 00:33:22 Learning and teaching harmonies Learning how to soften and blend 40th Anniversary of Agents of Fortune A trick: learn how to do impressions. “Sing this like Peter Gabriel”, “Sing this like Michael McDonald” 00:39:51 Arranging Harmonies for Yes music Don’t be afraid to simplify, folks Use a spreadsheet! Get it to “the best WE can do it” Then ask “how can we make this blend better?” 00:45:13 If we don’t nail the vocals, we suck! 00:48:29 The collaboration between band and front of house Ask front of house engineer: What do you need from me to sound good? End sound check with an a capella vocal moment 00:52:24 Talk to your bandmates and continually tweak things “Why does your snare drum sound different today?” 00:54:11 Surround yourself with bandmates who are on the same mission 00:59:58 When bands write vocal harmonies 01:04:18 Gig Gab 514 Outtro Follow Richie Castellano Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready — Gig Gab 516 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You step into the pressure cooker of elite live sound, where Robert Scovill shows you why chaos is often the best teacher. From mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions with zero margin for error to handling full-band changeovers on the fly, you learn that perfection is worth chasing but dangerous to demand. You hear why live mixing beats the studio for him. It is about capturing ensemble moments, not polishing parts. Even when the doubt creeps in before showtime, the lights come up, the band hits, and the moment reminds you why you do this. This is the mindset of Always Be Performing. You also get practical, battle-tested tactics for surviving high-stakes gigs. Learn how to study a band fast, who sings, who solos, and when, using recordings and YouTube as prep tools. You hear what it takes to mix legendary harmony vocals, why artists like Def Leppard insist on singing live, and how those expectations shape your approach. Then it gets nerdy in the best way, with the evolution of De-Feedback, real-world use at the Rock Hall, and how tools like reverse impulse responses can clean up wedges, vocals, and even IEMs. The takeaway is clear. Preparation, adaptability, and relentless curiosity are what keep you in the game. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 515 – Monday, January 5th, 2026 January 12th: National Day of Dialogue Guest co-host: Robert Scovill 00:01:25 Mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 10+ Acts… with full changeovers Trial by fire, with no time! 00:07:27 The enjoyment of the pressure of mixing live Perfection is a great thing to strive for, a terrible thing to achieve 00:09:00 Giving up on the studio in favor of live Way more interested in recording ensemble moments 00:10:10 Started in live sound in the 1970s Started with Shooting Star 00:12:04 Full circle moments at Rock Hall Mixing the Joe Cocker induction with Tedeschi Trucks Mixing Peter Frampton…a throwback moment 00:17:34 That thought creeps in: “I don’t know if I can keep doing this” And then the show happens…with all of its moments! 00:22:34 Learning a band quickly Who’s singing? When? Who plays the guitar solos (and when)? Give them a recording in advance Find them on YouTube 00:25:53 Dolly Parton and Rob Halford sing Jolene 00:28:23 Mixing Def Leppard harmony vocals Def Leppard is a great example: they wanted to sing live They worked hard to deliver what they expected (and what people expected) 00:34:50 Mixing Prince at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 00:38:20 Always Be Recording…and here’s why: Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks And a new ProTools feature was born: VENUE Link 00:43:04 Alpha Labs De-Feedback Started as an aside in Scovill’s Back Lounge Neve 5045 Primary Source Expander Waves PSE Plugin De-Feedback does reverse impulse responses 00:48:42 De-Feedback started to “make churches sound better” 00:57:28 De-Feedback at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Elton John (because of his loud monitor wedges) Cyndi Lauper 01:02:02 Comparing De-Feedback to a Neve 5045 Waves NS1 01:10:19 A live De-Feedback demo and some nerdy details! 01:26:24 Fixing IEMs with De-Feedback Think about eliminating drum bleed from vocal mics, for one. 01:28:47 Gig Gab 515 Outtro Follow Robert Scovill On Facebook On Instagram On LinkedIn RobertScovill.com (where you’ll find The Back Lounge) Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Gig Gab 515 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You love the music, but being a working musician comes with friction, and this episode tackles it head-on. You dig into the real difference between tribute bands and celebration projects, how to prep when multiple gigs stack up fast, and why anxiety creeps in when preparation gets sloppy. You explore how much rehearsal is enough, when studio versions help versus live recordings, and why fun disappears when expectations are unclear. The big takeaway is simple: intention matters. When you walk into rehearsal with a plan, a personal worklist, and shared expectations, you protect your energy and stay focused on what matters most. That focus is how you keep growing while Always Be Performing. From rehearsals to gig day, you learn how systems save your sanity. You hear why rehearsal recordings only work if someone is actually assigned to listen, how shared calendars prevent chaos, and why group texts quietly sabotage bands. You break down practical tools for managing gigs, promotion, and communication, from punchlist spreadsheets to task masters who own the details. You even get into tech expectations for bandmates and why alignment matters more than gear. The message is clear: externalize the details, reduce decision fatigue, and free your head to show up present, prepared, and confident on stage. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 514 – Monday, December 29th, 2025 December 29th: Tick Tock Day Guest co-host: Richard Page 00:02:03 Richard’s got some tribute shows happening The difference between a tribute band and a celebration project Pure Petty, Hot Atlanta, Remedy at Ardmore Music Hall Rocks This Way 00:06:07 Dave’s got three different shows to learn and play in 2 weeks The anxiety of preparing for too many gigs at once When prepping celebration shows, do you do all studio? Some live? 00:24:33 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/giggab #rulapod 00:26:19 NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:26:55 Being a working musician comes with a lot of friction to have fun 00:28:48 Setting rehearsal intention Have a plan! Be careful of repeating songs and consuming time Set expectations. Ensure everyone arrives on the same page. Keep a “personal worklist” note going on your phone during rehearsals 00:33:41 Maximizing rehearsal recordings Rotate between band-members for listening to rehearsal recordings You inspect what you expect! 00:38:49 Scheduling rehearsals Use a Google Calendar 00:42:36 Inter-band communication Group Messages…SUCK (especially now with RCS, that was supposed to fix it) You’ve gotta have a task-master! WheresTheGig.com BandHelper 00:50:46 Creating a Spreadsheet punchlist for gigs Keeps you from forgetting the Facebook event, the mailer, etc Using BandsInTown for Artists 00:55:55 Tech requirements for new band members Green Bubble Prejudice! 01:02:12 Three iPads Stage Ninja Clamp for iPad forScore 01:10:17 Gig Gab 514 Outtro Follow Richard Page on Facebook Remedy Dead Band Rocks This Way Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Hidden Work of Fun: Systems for Working Musicians — Gig Gab 514 with Richard Page appeared first on Gig Gab.

You follow Lindsay Manfredi’s wild, non-linear path from merch table to main stage, and she shows you exactly how saying yes, showing up, and outworking your fear can change your entire trajectory. You hear how she moved to Florida at twenty chasing a rock-star dream, became an instant Cold superfan, and eventually landed the bass gig through a Twitter message that felt too unreal to be real. She talks candidly about law-of-attraction moments, why every Cold song has to matter, and where the line sits between authentic human creativity and formulaic or AI-generated music. Through it all, she reminds you that most fears never materialize and it takes the same effort to believe in yourself as it does to doubt yourself. Always Be Performing. From there, you shift into the discipline behind her artistry: preparing for tours months in advance, running the set nearly every day, and over-preparing so the stage actually feels fun. She shares how making the road feel like home keeps her grounded, and how her book “The Girl Who Cried Love” came from losing her sense of self and rebuilding true self-worth, not just confidence. You explore dropping habits that don’t serve you, reconnecting with what you really value, and even why revisiting Mad Men taught her to only compete with herself. Finally, you wrap with a deep dive into in-ear monitor strategy, why a great mix beats great gear, and the small decisions that make performing sustainable for the long haul. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 513 – Monday, December 22nd, 2025 December 22nd: National Cookie Exchange Day Guest co-host: Linsday Manfredi NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:01:30 Twenty years old, moved to Florida to become a rock star Sprung Monkey needed a “merch girl”, Lindsay grabbed the gig Saw Cold, loved the music, loved Scooter’s voice. Instant fan! Unfuckwithable: A Guide to Inspired Badassery 00:04:45 Bringing the Law of attraction into the rock world Lindsay’s Cold tattoo made it into the album insert 00:06:00 Getting the Cold gig… on Twitter in 2014 Picture Yes was playing at The Vogue in Indianapolis on tour with Saving Abel Check your Facebook messages: “Will you be in our band?” 00:07:32 Always say “yes!” — Build the plane while you’re flying it. Bought a 5-String 00:09:09 Play music because you love to play music No fluff songs in Cold Every song matters 00:11:25 Fuck AI to create music Is Formulaic Music from humans just as bad as AI-Created Music When do we hit the point where it’s OK to use AI to create music 00:20:13 If you’re an artist, you’re going to create art. 85% of what we’re afraid of won’t happen. It takes just as much effort to have faith in something as it does to fear something 00:23:46 Transitioning from fan to band member Scooter says: “bring your personality to it!” Capture the original intent and emotion Lindsay rewrote the run in “So Long June” and… it was welcomed! 00:27:30 Preparing enough to have fun on stage Months of practice before a tour In order to have fun on stage… I need to be an over-preparer! Fender P-Bass at home to learn and prepare for tour Heavier strings on the practice bass Run the set every day (almost) 00:33:42 Start rehearsal in December for tour in April It’s more fun to be prepared 00:36:10 Making the road feel like home Making your bunk your own Cold is a family Touring is my favorite thing to do 00:39:52 The Girl Who Cried Love, a Pivot to Self Worth Lindsay: I lost myself into what became a failed relationship Trying to prove my worth to someone who didn’t see my worth So many of us aren’t taught what our true worth is Asking herself: “Lindsay, what do you really want in your life? What is your purpose? What are your values?” The difference between confidence and self-worth. 00:45:33 It’s hard to drop the shit that’s not serving you 00:46:37 How can I make the world a little bit better? Being in the audience first makes everything so much clearer 00:47:51 Identifying a bad habit before you can drop it “My goal in life is to wake up laughing every day” 00:49:01 Revisiting Mad Men, of all things Better to compete with yourself 00:51:19 In Ear Monitors Having a great mix Mix is more important than gear Dissecting in-ears Universal Fits Dave recommends: Ultimate Ears Universal Fit Soundbrenner Wave Huberman Lab episode on hearing health 01:01:52 Gig Gab 513 Outtro Follow Lindsay Manfredi On IG @Lindsay Manfredi ColdArmy.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Lindsay Manfredi’s Road to Cold: Music, Micro-Pivots, and Radical Self-Worth — Gig Gab 513 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You follow Demetri Papanicolau’s winding path from Fidelity financial consultant to full-time booking agent and working musician, discovering how taking risks, saying yes to scary gigs, and learning from every stage moment shaped his career. You hear how singing AC/DC and Zeppelin in high school, drilling Beatles harmonies, and navigating the evolution from originals to covers built the chops he still relies on today. As you ride through stories of surprise band formations, COVID-era pivots, and the birth of Rotten Apple, you’re reminded that you must Always Be Performing, even when the gig you expected turns into something entirely different. You also step inside Demetri’s world at Notso Costley Productions, where booking is equal parts diplomacy, coaching, and reading the room. He breaks down what venues actually want, what musicians consistently get wrong, and how reliability wins more than draw. You learn how he balances the needs of solos, duos, trios, and full bands; why non-verbal communication and a good hang matter; how to build an EPK that gets you on a roster; and what happens when rates rise across the scene. Through it all, Demetri shows how being both booker and performer lets him guide bands and venues toward smoother nights, stronger partnerships, and gigs that keep everyone coming back. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 512 – Monday, December 15th, 2025 December 15th: National Cupcake Day Guest co-host: Demetri Papanicolau from Notso Costley Productions NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:02:19 From Fidelity Financial Consultant to Acquiring and running a Booking Agency Josh Logan, local to New Hampshire, did Rock Star Supernova and then The Voice And then…Demetri wins the Black Brimmer’s Rock Star ManchVegas Doors opened! 00:05:33 Singing AC/DC and Zeppelin in high school to vocal lessons 00:06:06 Learning harmonies by singing The Beatles 00:07:32 Playing in an original band that became a cover band 00:10:05 Learning while not playing…big ears! Submitted to America’s Got Talent 00:13:39 Taking new gigs even when they scare the heck out of you A Josh Logan cancelation leads to a band formation to sub! 00:16:02 It’s not about the gigs you take, it’s also about the gigs you don’t take Be selective! 00:17:17 Alice and Chains becomes the thread to the story 00:18:51 COVID derails (and delays) some gigs…oh how we remember! October and November, 2020 When an acoustic duo gig turns into a full band on stage Rotten Apple forms! A tribute to Alice and Chains 00:22:28 Always performing with passion …and perfection! Developing that non-verbal communication 00:28:22 Bonding as harmony singers When you find that magic formula with someone, stick with it! 00:33:41 Putting the time in for continuous growth Maintaining beginner’s mind 00:34:07 Finding those right partners where it’s a good hang When your FOH Jim Roese, FOH with Fuel, Melissa Etheridge, and also Rotten Apple 00:37:44 Running a booking agency Working for both the venue and the performer Having a roster of musicians: solos, duos, trios, full bands Being in the performer’s shoes helps Demetri be a coach to bands AND venues to ensure smooth sailing 00:42:48 Reading the room goes a long 00:44:15 Demetri’s advice for making it work (or not work) To get on the roster: Have a good EPK and promo kit Once you’re on: responsiveness, being available, managing your schedule 00:46:24 Demetri’s biggest juggling act: adapting to last-minute changes The time Casual Gravity cancelled last minute! Reliability is huge 00:54:17 Venue feedback Draw isn’t always the most important thing Be a pro on the mic. Represent the venue. Play the right songs. Keeping the venues happy allows Demetri to book his roster of performers 00:57:43 Raising rates for the performer New rates for 2025 $230-$250 for solo (from $170-$200 three years ago) $450-$500 for duo $660-$700 for trio $700-$1,000 for bands (or more for A-List prices) Balancing rates between performers and venues, ensuring everyone is profitable 01:05:03 Carrying on Paul Costley’s legacy and tradition with Nosto Costley Productions Took a voluntary buyout package from Fidelity to make the time to acquire the agency 12/31/2021 was the day Demetri took over…and stopped cutting his hair 01:09:20 Gig Gab 512 Outtro Follow Demetri Papanicolau Notso Costley Productions On IG @DemetriPapanicolau Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Booking Smarter, Singing Harder: Demetri Papanicolau on Gig Life — Gig Gab 512 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Sean Monahan from Gale Bird joins Dave Hamilton to walk you through their path of being successful working musicians in an original band. You follow Gale Bird’s path from college songwriting to a 13-year hiatus and a full-tilt return that finally landed Gale Bird on a label. You hear how the band treats music as both passion and business, blending Sean’s production chops with Joshua’s marketing instincts to create songs that connect. You get reminded that “overnight success” takes decades, and that everyone who hires you is thinking in terms of return. Failure, lineup changes, stalled gigs… they’re not roadblocks, folks, they’re prep for the next shot. That’s where you lean into the mindset: Always Be Performing. You also learn how the label helps identify the songs that will land, how playlist strategy works, and how Gale Bird built a digital identity alongside their live-show firepower. You dig into their content engine, daily-posting experiments, AI reels, and the push to film everything. Collaboration becomes a skill, not an accident, and you see how respecting different strengths keeps the whole machine running. Gear Gab rounds it out with a bit of a wishlist: Kempers, custom Teles, splitter snakes, and the stress test of soundcheck when tech goes sideways. Press play and enjoy! 00:00:00 Gig Gab 511 – Monday, December 8th, 2025 December 8th: Pretend to be a Time Traveler day Guest co-host: Sean Monahan from Gale Bird 00:01:50 Went to two different schools together Met in college, started writing songs, doing some local touring Then a 13-year break after college while they started families And then, two years ago, you got the band back together! 00:03:19 Signed to a label 00:05:11 A Passion that’s also very much a business Producing art that is digested by as many people as possible Sean’s been a full-time musician since college Learned all the right production techniques Met all the right people Hiring the right engineer and session musicians for the album Joshua has been in sales and marketing as his career And also understands aesthetics and marketing… and is Sean’s co-songwriter 00:07:57 The label saw *people* they could invest in, and also liked their sound Holy City Music Overnight success takes twenty years 00:10:07 This is the entertainment business! Whomever hires you is thinking about dollar signs They need to see the return, and as a musician you have to understand that 00:13:21 Failure prepares you for what’s next Sometimes a gig ends 00:15:54 250,000 streams in one year! 00:16:56 The Label helps Staying in touch with Playlisters and other avenues like radio, too 00:19:38 Getting on Playlists Label says, “write 20 songs, we’ll pick one or two” when we analyze what will perform the best on the streamers One side of the business: live shows full of rock and feels and merch and all that The other side: the digital side. People need to have a representation of the band that’s unique to them. The label is the expert for the digital side, knowing how to identify the songs that will land on the streamers Turns out we land in the “country” genre, so we’ll add a banjo to a song (for example). Roses by Gale Bird is a perfect example 00:24:25 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/giggab #rulapod 00:26:12 Creating a social media system for your band An experiment: post every day for 2 months and see what happens Lesson learned: go heavy for a shorter period of time Always be thinking about future content. Film, film, film AI Reels A/B testing 00:33:31 Creating side businesses to funnel and fuel Gale Bird 00:35:00 Learning to collaborate on your own songs “The better a songwriter is at collaboration, the more successful they’ll be” 00:36:48 The Gale Bird formula Can play as a duo or a full band or anything in between. 00:38:39 Respecting skillsets Sean shines in the studio: plays all the instruments except drums Joshua shines on stage: sings, plays acoustic guitar, and has excellent stage presence 00:44:05 …and managing pride 00:44:27 Gear Gab 00:44:56 Fender and Guitar Center collaborated on a custom telecaster 00:46:32 Sean went to a Kemper rig Wishlist: Kemper Stage Hipshot B-Bender 00:48:25 Behringer Wing Rack Mackie DL32S PRORECK Splitter Snakes 00:54:12 The stress of tech issues at soundcheck 00:57:10 Gig Gab 511 Outtro Follow Gale Bird On IG @GaleBirdMusic Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From Hiatus to 250K Streams: The Gale Bird Story with Sean Monahan — Gig Gab 511 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look with Train’s drummer Matt Musty and host Dave Hamilton as they dive deep into gig wisdom, touring tips, and pro gear secrets. Learn why being on time, managing your role smartly, and balancing music, money, and the hang is essential for a successful music career. From handling days off and staying rested on the road to mastering in-ear monitors with creative mic setups, this episode is packed with actionable advice every touring musician needs. Always Be Performing with fresh insights that keep you inspired and ready for every show. Discover how Matt approaches touring with diplomacy, band dynamics, and staying connected to home life while on the road. Explore favorite microphones for perfect in-ear sound, how to avoid a sterile IEM mix, and the importance of scheduled fun time to keep social media engaging. Whether you’re a musician, live sound enthusiast, or fan of the tour life, this episode offers a masterclass in professionalism and passion to elevate your musical journey and keep your performance sharp night after night. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 510 – Monday, December 1st, 2025 December 1st: National Peppermint Bark Day Guest co-host: Matt Musty 00:02:22 Train continues to level up Train at Royal Albert Hall Train at Grand Ole Opry 00:03:40 Waking up the singer ten minutes before the gig! 00:06:10 Gig Advice from Musty: Be On Time 00:08:46 I’m not ever the guy who hangs around My job’s done 00:10:09 Managing your opinion 00:11:16 The long game of diplomacy is the key to a successful career The gig philosophy, 2 out of 3 aint bad: Music Money Hang 00:15:51 Days off are tough on the band and crew 00:18:26 The risk of hanging out with your road-hosts after the gig Prioritizing sleep on the road 00:23:42 The Zen of the connection between you and your gear The no-soundcheck days 00:28:48 PODCAST: Album Archives. Count down The Top 300 Albums of All Time — one record at a time — with Album Archives | The Vault of Music History. 00:29:46 IEM Talk! Sometimes a broken seal Ideas for avoiding a sterile IEM mix Matt put a “crotch mic in place: a Beyer M160 underneath the snare to grab the sound of the kit and put it through some reverb with compression AFTER the reverb Audience Mics Adding reverb to the drums and vocal mics Play every song like it’s the first time. Be inspired! 00:41:39 Finding the right microphones to capture your instrument for your in-ears Transparent mics like the Earthworks ETHOS on guitar amps or the Earthworks SR20-Gen2 on drum overheads 00:44:37 Favorite snare drum mics Beyerdynamic M201 Telefunken M80 Earthworks DM17 00:49:31 The short version of the Earthworks story 00:51:15 Keeping a connection to home while on the road 00:52:30 Enjoying the spoils of a high-level tour 00:56:42 Being recognized for your job 00:59:10 A quick social media discussion Scheduled Fun Time Gaby from Crush Management 01:02:48 Gig Gab 510 Outtro Find Matt Musty On IG @MattMusty Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Gig Wisdom & Scheduled Fun Time with Matt Musty of Train — Gig Gab 510 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You drop into this episode walking side-by-side with David Leaf as he revisits the moments that shaped his life around Brian Wilson’s genius. You hear how Brian needed unconditional connection to create, how Leaf found himself driving tour vans, sitting in private Sinatra rehearsals, and realizing he had to earn his place in those rooms. From LA trips with legends to the spark that made him pack up, move west, and chase Brian’s story head-on, you feel the lesson hit hard: keep moving forward and Always Be Performing. You also get a front-row view into the musical engine behind Brian Wilson’s world. Leaf breaks down the jazz-rooted harmonies, the devotion of Brian’s touring band, and the emotional work that helped Brian reclaim his confidence. You learn how Pet Sounds floored Lennon and McCartney, why Paul might be the biggest Beatles fan alive, and why Leaf argues Brian deserves solo induction into the Rock Hall. Along the way, you’re guided through The Reel Beatles class, the making of Smile, and the books that document it all, leaving you with the sense that loving music isn’t passive… it’s a craft you show up for every day. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 509 – Monday, November 24th, 2025 November 24th: Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day Guest co-host: David Leaf 00:02:16 Brian Wilson calls… I need “friends” in the room. Brian Wilson needed to be loved unconditionally David drove for the tour The Beach Boys and The California Myth (re-released as God Only Knows) 00:07:20 First Trip to LA…with Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra And there’s a Sinatra classic right in front of him David Leaf and the Twigs Getting a private concert from Frank Sinatra and had the thought: “this is where I want to be. What do I need to do to earn my spot in this room?” The BeeGees Jimmy Webb Herb Alpert The Reel Beatles Docs that Rock class by David Leaf 00:11:04 In college he became obsessed with Brian Wilson 00:11:50 The band for Brian’s 1999-2000 tour, Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE The band was devoted to recreating the moments 00:12:24 If you’re obsessed with Brian Wilson, why dont you do something about it Why don’t I move to California, meet Brian Wilson, and write a book about him and help him finish SMiLE My parents told me I was special, and I believed them. 00:13:58 Walked up to Dennis Wilson and told him he was going to write a book about his brother Lesson: Keep moving forward! 00:15:37 Brian and I were friends 00:16:33 Brian loved to do casual singing Singing along to the oldies with Brian Wilson Going to the Church of Brian Wilson 00:19:08 His musicians gave him the unconditional love he needed to play this music …and eventually release Smile Brian Wilson saw Wild Honey… “If I had this group back in the 1960s, I could have taken Smile on the road!” 00:22:47 The technical complexities of Brian Wilson’s harmonies Brian came from jazz 00:25:42 Brian Wilson’s relationship with Sir Paul McCartney When Pet Sounds came out, John and Paul told him how much they loved the album Recording Artists were Song Monkeys in the old days 00:29:08 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/giggab4 or use code giggab at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 00:31:29 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/giggab #rulapod 00:33:29 Brian Wilson singing Brian Wilson 00:38:45 Brian Wilson had initial confidence, and then it was beaten out of him 00:39:44 Managing The Pressure of First Fame Finally, Brian: “I have emotional security” Tips for Avoiding Internal Pressure 00:46:03 Meet The Reel Beatles, a 10-week class Guests: Peter Asher, Michael Lyndsay-Hogg, Peter Jackson 00:51:39 Paul McCartney is the world’s biggest Beatles Fan 00:53:36 Brian Wilson Brian Wilson And the Story of SMiLE David Leaf posits that Brian Wilson should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist 00:56:32 David’s Books SMiLE: The Rise fall and Ressurection of Brian Wilson The Beach Boys and the California Myth 00:57:58 The candor captured Brian Wilson, Live at The Roxy 01:00:59 Gig Gab 509 Outtro Find David Leaf At LeafProd.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Inside Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles with David Leaf — Gig Gab 509 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You know that moment when a gig just clicks — when everyone on stage suddenly realizes it’s more than just a show? That’s where this episode starts. You’ll hear how saying “yes” to new gigs can lead to unexpected magic, how the right players bring out the best in each other, and why being open to unfamiliar styles can change everything. Then the conversation gets gloriously geeky as Dave Hamilton and guest co-host Daniel East dive into using Waves plugins live, connecting your Mac to a console via Dante, and why automixing is almost—but not quite—ready for primetime. From heart to hardware, it’s all about finding balance between feel and finesse. Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 508 – Monday, November 17th, 2025 November 17th: Odd Socks Day Guest co-host: Daniel East 00:01:24 Playing with Brit Drozda Had lunch with a guitar player friend, and the gig came together! First gig, three songs in, and everyone knew it was more-than-just-a-gig 00:07:08 Lesson: take gigs even if it’s not your style Don’t say no because you don’t think it’s your style Don’t say no because you don’t (yet!) know the material You could be the missing piece of the puzzle that brings it to a completely different level 00:11:15 The magic that can just happen when the right people come together 00:14:24 Nerding out about drumsticks. Of course! Dan is now endorsing Headhunters Sticks Vic Firth 5B Double Glaze 00:23:02 Pitch Slap Percussion Cajons 00:26:03 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today! (and check out Gig Gab 482 with Mark Steiner from May, 2025, too!) 00:28:12 Waves plugins on any size gig…if you NEED it. Using a console with Dante, you can link via Ethernet to your MacBook Pro and use plugins Dan’s new favorite console: Yamaha DM3D ($2,000) console Waves Plugins to use when mixing live audio Waves SuperRack Performer ($99) Waves TRACT System Calibration ($399) Waves Feedback Hunter ($99.99) Waves Silk LIVE ($29.99) Waves F6 Dynamic EQ Waves L4 Maximizer ($49.99) Waves Primary Source Expander ($39.99) Waves Tune Real-Time ($49.99) Waves Clarix LB (what Dave SHOULD have tested in GG 508!) 01:10:06 Automixing is coming, folks! 01:11:16 Years ago, Robert Scovill taught Dan: pay attention. 01:12:35 Gig Gab 508 Outtro Find Daniel East DanielEast.net @eastd and @themixdoctor Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Live Music, Live Mix: The Magic and the Math — Gig Gab 508 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In this episode, you’ll join Dave and returning guest co-host Adam Moskowitz, Chief Groove Officer of VAM Band, as they dive headfirst into the world of nanny tracks, first-gig chaos, and future-proofing your sound. From building tracks in Reaper to rehearsing smarter—not longer—you’ll learn how technology can help you bring your band’s best show to the stage fast. Then, it’s all about mindset: dealing with last-minute cancellations, navigating new players, and keeping your cool when the curveballs fly. Whether you’re warming up your voice with R.E.M. or re-negotiating pay on a sub gig, this episode reminds you that gigging is equal parts art, attitude, and adaptability. Keep your groove steady and—Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 507 – Monday, November 10th, 2025 November 10th: International Accounting Day Guest co-host: Adam Moskowitz, Chief Groove Officer of VAM Band 00:01:46 The Benefits of Nanny Tracks and Invisible Conductors Arrangement and Lyrics are the two big hurdles Nanny tracks can get you out of the rehearsal room FAST We play new songs at every show! 25 new songs in 2025 00:06:03 Playing a new song for the first time in front of a crowd 00:10:41 Building the backing tracks Download from Karaoke-Version and load into Reaper (Adam’s DAW of choice) Snap the audio to the “grid” using the click provided by Karaoke Version. Then set stretch markers at the beginning of each measure, so then I can stretch the tempo and everything stays in tune and in time 00:13:42 Filling in … with a blind drummer! A sub from six months ago called and asked Adam to sub in HIS band Negotiating the right pay to ensure you don’t lose money “The band didn’t provide a setlist…so I built one!” When subbing: check the band’s YouTube to see what keys they play in 00:20:40 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/giggab4 or use code giggab4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 00:22:49 What’s your vocal warmup routine? Dave sings: R.E.M.’s Finest Worksong (twice) Optional: Spin Doctors “A Pocket Full Of Kryptonite” Adam does scales: “Men’s Vocal Warmup – 5 Minutes” 00:28:01 Create a pre-show ritual Warm up your brain, your body, and set your intentions Leave your baggage behind, focus on bringing joy and having fun 00:29:49 Avoiding Cancellations with a System Cover bands that operate like original bands: rare, and coveted! Not all bands can do that. 00:34:02 What happens with 24-hour notice when your singer cancels…and you have a brand-new drummer? Be like water…go with the flow! Using tracks as a supporting layer. 00:41:30 What are you trying to do with your band? Define your band’s intention. For Adam and VAM Band: create something that’s future-proof In VAM Band, you need to understand the value of playing the spaces 00:43:58 Learn what is best in an off-stage conversation (versus on-stage) The singer who said, “I hate playing this song” on stage doesn’t get re-hired Curating positive energy on stage 00:50:33 Setting the expectation with your bandmates up front gives you scalability If you tell people that not everyone is on every gig, then it’s easy! 00:57:00 Future-proofing like a Broadway show 00:58:56 Are we in the golden age of music Suno now allows you to upload audio and then create a cover version of the audio 01:08:14 Adam’s sound engineer gig tomorrow: six microphones, five hours, $900 Adam gets the sound gig by doing sound for his band 01:08:56 How to communicate your band’s sound to a FOH engineer How can I help you know our band? FOH engineers can drastically alter the way your band sounds Put band/sound crib notes on the stage plot 01:18:05 Gig Gab 507 Outtro Follow Adam Moskowitz @adammoskowitzmusic Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Tangents, Tracks, and Tenacity — Gig Gab 507 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In this solo hang, you dig into the real tools that keep your sound clean and your gigs tight. You’ll learn how to tame noisy tracks with the Accusonus ERA bundle, Waves Clarity Vx, and iZotope RX, plus a few quick tricks from SoundDesk to make your mixes shine. Then it’s time to talk ears—Huberman-style—with magnesium and NAC tips for keeping your hearing sharp long-term. Because if you can’t hear it, you can’t play it. Listener questions hit everything from cleaning your old Ultimate Ears to handling last-minute gig cancellations, balancing bar shows with private gigs, and keeping your band’s calendar under control. You’ll even pick up some practical gig wisdom—like the right way to tie up cables and hoses. Finally, gear gets its due with reviews of the Alesis Turbo Max electronic kit and Dark Matter DMA6 custom IEMs, plus hot takes on the Roland DrumLink, D’Addario Backline backpack, Zoom Q2n-4K, and microphone troubleshooting. It’s all about sharpening your setup, your sound, and your mindset—because you know the rule: Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 506 – Monday, November 3rd, 2025 November 3rd: National Sandwich Day Guest co-host: You! 00:02:29 Cleaning Up Audio Accusonus ERA Bundle V6.2 – https://matthiasott.com/notes/free-audio-plugins-accusonus-era-6-bundle Waves Clarity Vx – https://waves.alzt.net/OePdWK iZotope RX11 Voice De-noise – https://www.izotope.com/en/products/rx/features/voice-de-noise Waves NS1 – https://waves.alzt.net/4G4nqL SoundDesk 00:09:49 Hearing Health Huberman Hearing Health episode = Magnesium Glycinate + NAC for Dave. Sponsors 00:16:06 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab Listener Questions 00:19:08 Paul-How do I get my older pair of Ultimate Ears cleaned up? 00:21:28 Terry-A club canceled on me, where can I find a boilerplate booking contract to use? 00:24:51 Brian-Managing Band Member Availability 00:27:10 John-How do I balance bar gigs and private bookings? 00:32:49 Bill-Can you fold-tie extension cords or garden hoses, too? Gear Gab 00:36:09 Review: Alesis Turbo Max — All-In-One Beginner Electronic Drum Kit Launches Today 00:40:00 Review: Dave’s new Dark Matter DMA6 BA 6 Custom IEMs Gear Gab (and tech help) 00:48:41 Lane-CSF-D’Addario Backline Gig Backpacks – https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0821Q4BT3/giggab-20 00:50:54 Roland DrumLink Wireless System – https://www.roland.com/global/promos/drumlink/ 00:52:13 Pat-CSF-Zoom Q2n-4K video recorder – https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B07K114TFB/giggab-20 00:53:44 Andy-492-Telefunken M80 Troubleshooting for that low-volume singer 00:57:41 Gig Gab 506 Outtro Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Sound Better, Gig Smarter: Tools, Tips, and Gear That Work — Gig Gab 506 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week, you’re sitting down with funk legend James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players! From his jazz roots and early gigs at age 14 to shaping the groove of “Love Rollercoaster” and “Fire,” Diamond shares how precision, persistence, and passion built one of the most iconic sounds in funk. You’ll hear stories of wild recording schedules, late-night gigs, and the unforgettable moment Stevie Wonder first heard “Fire.” Through it all, Diamond reminds you that love—and music—is truly a rollercoaster. Diamond also talks about what it takes to keep a band together, why preparation is everything, and how to push your career forward when no one else will. His message? Stay seated, stay belted, and enjoy the ride. Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 505 – Monday, October 27th, 2025 October 27th: National Black Cat Day Guest co-host: James “Diamond” Williams 00:03:35 Syncopated grooves Jazz labs with his Dad Gigging with jazz standards at 14 years old All-City orchestra Miami University Marching band Drum and Bugle Corps All those influences 00:05:38 How did the drum fill intro for “I Want to Be Free” come together 00:10:16 Love Rollercoaster was an intentional pop hit BTO was the “hit” band with Mercury when Ohio Players signed Ohio Players told Mercury: “We need nothing from you but your money.” Came in with a gold 45 and left with a Platinum album 00:14:08 Crazy recording schedule Playing at the Red Onion in Buffalo, NY at night while recording in Chicago during the day They set a goal: “Let’s write three platinum albums in a row.” 00:16:01 Stevie Wonder hears “Fire” for the first time Sponsors 00:19:37 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today! (and check out Gig Gab 482 with Mark Steiner from May, 2025, too!) 00:21:12 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/giggab4 or use code giggab4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 00:22:42 “I Want To Be Free” – Midnight Special viral clip on Instagram Bands covering Red Hot Chili Peppers cover Love Rollercoaster D’Angelo Tupac 00:24:47 The Ohio Players and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame induction 00:28:42 Keep pushing for your career… you are your best advocate 00:32:42 Balancing strong personalities within a band Advice: Never stop! Ohio Players were a band 24/7 Rehearsed five days a week Hearing “Me & Mrs. Jones” everywhere when starting on tour …and hearing “Skin Tight” the same way 00:37:43 It comes back to preparation! Diamond’s Father’s Lessons 00:39:00 What transpired between Funky Worm (gold 45) and Skin Tight (Platinum album)? The musicality Billy Beck and Diamond Sugarfoot was always Sugarfoot: “he never came offstage” 00:43:28 Touring with technology decades ago 00:45:24 Diamonds life advice: love is actually a rollercoaster Stay seated and belted, and enjoy the ride. Stay diligent, faithful, and positive. 00:47:16 Gig Gab 505 Outtro Follow Diamond at The Ohio Players Ohio Players Instagram Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Laughs, Life, and Lessons with James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players – Gig Gab 505 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Mike Schulte returns to Gig Gab for a deep dive into the conversations that make bands stronger. You’ll explore how band summits—those intentional moments to step away from gigs and just talk—can reset your focus, rebuild trust, and make your group operate like a real team. From redefining what success looks like to refining how you plan your shows, this episode challenges you to look beyond the stage and invest in the relationships that keep your music alive. You’ll also dig into the systems that make the difference between chaos and consistency: smarter scheduling, simplified setups, and knowing when to say “no” so your band can keep saying “yes” to the right gigs. Whether you’re touring every weekend or just playing local spots, this is the blueprint for staying connected, staying efficient, and, above all, staying true to the Gig Gab mantra—Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 504 – Monday, October 20th, 2025 October 20th: World Statistics Day Guest co-host: Mike Schulte A moment of self-congratulations Skylar’s on TikTok! 00:05:19 Pork Tornadoes had a packed summer…again! Averaged 8 gigs per month from May to September 9 Shows in September, 11 in July Started off as a bar band 18 years ago…now it’s a machine with employees Each gig starts with $3,500 in fixed cost expenses and becomes a money machine 00:07:34 Making the internal decisions to set yourself up for future success Learning your limits (three shows in a row for Pork Tornadoes) Taking your contracted set time down (from 4 hours to 2 hours) Rotating your setlist for every show…”you didn’t hear your favorite song tonight, come to the next show” Training your crew so that you can arrive 30 minutes before soundcheck, and leave right after the encore No more sharing hotel rooms. Each band member gets their own room. Keeps people healthier…and happier! Simplifying our rig so that we can show up and play Using Ethernet-based snakes like CAT-SASS 00:18:47 Building out your in-ears rack with intention Gear Gab: Pork Tornadoes using the Midas DL251 Blue Box Rack Mix with some drum overheads…you might find you like it! 00:23:14 Schedule a band summit Discuss your goals Just hang out, let the discussions happen Be together, no gigs, no soundchecks, just a band retreat. This is how you level up with intention. 00:28:06 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab 00:29:49 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab 00:31:14 Gear Gab: Get the best kick drum sound you can with mics in the right place May Turbo Kick May Monorail 00:36:08 What happens when your band is pivotal to an event that is bigger than you? Canceling the band means no one attends, no one gets to sell food, no merch, the fans who bought hotel rooms, etc 00:38:50 What are the options when a band member needs to cancel? Have a deep roster of musicians (the Adam Moskowitz/VAM Band way) Recording yourselves so you can bring in a missing member’s tracks Canceling the entire gig (bad!) 00:53:32 What’s worse? Lip syncing, or canceling a gig? 00:54:32 What is the benefit of telling people about problems on stage? When is it right to acknowledge it? When is it best to pretend everything is A-OK? 00:58:07 Gig Gab 504 Outtro Follow Mike Schulte Confused Breakfast The Pork Tornadoes Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Beyond The Stage: How Band Summits Change Everything – Gig Gab 504 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You’re diving into the power of persistence and adaptability in this episode of Gig Gab with guest co-host Steve Witschel. From building and moderating a 132,000-member Cover Band Central group to navigating Facebook’s monetization chaos with the nearly-1,000,000-member Facebook page, Steve shares how he transformed challenges into content gold. You’ll learn how he separates community-driven interaction in the group from content curation on the page—and how both have become invaluable tools. If you’re not treating your Facebook group like an encyclopedia, you’re missing out. It’s not just about posts, it’s about presence. Steve walks you through using AI tools like Sora to streamline video creation and embraces the idea of turning everyday gig life into engaging fan-building content. Whether it’s filming someone lugging gear or crafting posts that stir emotions, your goal is to create superfans between shows. And yes, Rush is back on tour with Anika Nilles on drums—Steve’s take? She’s approaching it like a seasoned cover band pro. Dave’s take? You gotta listen to hear it straight from the source! Through it all, you’re reminded: embrace failure, evolve with tech, and above all… Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 503 – Monday, October 13th, 2025 October 13th: International Day for Failure Guest co-host: Steve Witschel 00:03:59 Growing Cover Band Central Dave’s Business Brain podcast Handling the group differently than the page The group has the audience provide the comment. The page is Steve provide the content 00:05:49 Moderating the Cover Band Central group of 132,000 members Setting the group private and setting post approval 00:10:48 Searching the group is an encyclopedia of information 00:12:09 Publishing the Cover Band Central page Meta invited the page to a bonus program – Steve decided it was time to publish original content Drummer jokes! 00:14:26 Rehearsing Thriller…and Human Nature, especially 00:18:34 Locking in with other musicians Steve, the bass player: “I am the drums” Learning about being locked-in from watching Dio and Dokken in 1988 Monetizing the group or page? 00:23:53 SPONSOR: Mechanical Licensing Collective – Are you a songwriter, music publisher, or administrator? Every month, The MLC collects the streaming data and royalties from Spotify and Apple Music, matches the money to the creator who has earned it, and then pays out the royalties due. Visit TheMLC.com today to sign up! 00:25:58 Making money from the Facebook group The Facebook BreakthroughBonus program Getting dinged for Facebook’s community standards (with no information) Facebook’s Content Monetization Program 00:29:33 Time to Make Videos 00:30:25 Getting clients to advertise on Facebook Selling an ad, and then buying Facebook ads to serve that on his page 00:35:08 Using AI as a work Assistant Technology advances, and you have to roll with it! Embrace change, folks. AI is a reliable assistant (with questionable accuracy!) Using AI like Sora to Create Videos 00:40:05 Using AI to Generate Content Spotify’s popular AI generated band: The Velvet Sundown 00:42:31 Steve Witschel’s book, Get ‘Em to the Show: How to Beat the Facebook Algorithm and Successfully Promote Your Gigs Online Debunking some myths Overposting is good! Using Buffer to post on your page Jack Mccarthy says “It’s not a movie, it’s a parade. Not everyone sees every post.” Cater to people’s emotions Could be sad, mad, happy, funny, but it has to be SOMETHING. Celebrate your failures in public, for example. Create your own holiday! Create superfans by sharing content in between your gigs The Internet is easier than Postcards and Flyers! Film someone carrying gear into the gig Film some minutiae back stage 00:53:45 Rush is touring in 2026. What are your thoughts? Rush Fifty Something Tour Neil Peart passed in 2020 Anika Nilles is joining Rush for their 2026 tour Celebrating the music of Rush with the fans Steve’s take: Anika is coming in and playing the parts like she’s in a cover band Dave might go to most of the shows. For Dave’s midlife crisis: “I don’t want a Ferrari, I want a Red Barchetta.” Steve might go to Madison Square Garden 01:12:55 Gig Gab 503 Outtro Follow Steve Witschel Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Power of the Page: Inside Cover Band Central’s Massive Reach — Gig Gab 503 with Steve Witschel appeared first on Gig Gab.

Justin Scheidling takes us inside a day in the life of a touring tech, supporting the bands of Stephen Kramer Glickman and Katelyn Tarver on the Big Time Rush tour, from load-in to bus call. From labeling every cable and packing “JustInCase” bags to handling the curveballs of show days, you get the raw look at how a pro keeps the gig rolling. You’ll hear how gear obsession became the gateway to teching, what it’s like to set up drums straight off the truck, and why even a $3,000 gig has the same headaches as a $300 one. And yes, rain still finds its way to the PA. Through it all, Justin proves that the secret to surviving the road is simple: Always Be Performing. But this isn’t just about tech work! It’s about career lessons you can steal borrow for your own gigs. You’ll learn why making yourself known by being helpful pays off, how meeting everyone opens doors, and how DJ percussion gigs and Blue Man Group tricks turned into a show-stopping side hustle. From backstage at Meadowbrook’s rock-star pool party to 3am bus calls, Justin makes it clear that every step of the grind adds to the craft. No matter the role—tech, player, or bandleader—you’re building skills that take you further on stage and off. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 502 – Monday, October 6th, 2025 October 6th: National Mad Hatter Day Guest co-hosts: Justin Scheidling 00:02:50 First time nationwide drum tech! Gear Acquisition Syndrome is real… and it helps set you up to become a drum tech! Buddy Gibbons says.. “So… I need a tech!” The job expands: Can you also work on guitars…and pianos? 00:05:40 Remembering the view of an outsider Player first…but I run my own bands 00:07:53 What’s in your “JustInCase” Labeling is important! MakeItStay Bag MakeItMove Bag 00:11:21 I want everyone on this tour to know who I am. Do that by being helpful 00:13:00 Are my toolboxes going to make it on the plane? 00:14:33 Gig Anxiety Fueled by experiences Don’t plug the PA in with the refrigerator A little bit extra…with Justin! 00:18:38 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today! (and check out Gig Gab 482 with Mark Steiner from May, 2025, too!) 00:20:00 Show day as a drum tech Walk the stage Drums are still in “the attic” The day could go one of two ways: If room at the venue, we could set up the drums behind the stage and roll them out (and back) Otherwise we’d have to build on stage “We wanna help break down!” 00:27:50 “No matter what your gig is, every gig has bullshit.” — Syndee Winters  A $300 gig has its level of BS A $3000 gig has its level of BS The multi-million-dollar production of Hamilton ALSO has it’s multi-million dollar production of Bullshit. A new Gig Gab adage: When there’s rain…the water always hits the PA. Beware water and power…they don’t mix! 00:33:52 No matter what the gig is, learn everything you can learn What can I apply to my show at home? How can I further my career? What redundancies can I learn to apply to my gigs? 00:34:44 Advice to Justin from Trevor Lawrence, Jr., Drummer with Herbie Hancock “Talk to everyone!” “Find your favorite musicians and talk to them.” Justin immediately reached out to: Kenny Aronoff & Buddy Giggons 00:41:57 You never know who you’re gonna meet And make sure you meet everyone. 00:43:03 Back to the day of touring… Soundcheck happens and it’s tweaking and troubleshooting time Then mealbreak 00:48:13 Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH, the Ultimate Venue Gilford is the backstage party that people think it is. Couches and TVs, heated pool, open bar, and video monitors to watch Pedal bikes and merch! “I would vacation there every day if I could!” Recover kits with Advil and Liquid IV LAUNDRY! RJ & Bridget Harding really have created a wonderful thing 00:51:29 Ten minutes to showtime Last-minute checks 00:54:32 Teardown This needs to happen fast “If I think I have some time, it’s never gonna make it.” Changing drumheads post-show 00:57:50 Then bus call… at 3am On the road by 4am Bunks on the bus 00:59:59 Downtime is Unpredictable Deadtime 01:01:59 Justin’s Gigging Schedule Go Rogue is Justin’s new band The Current is Justin’s backing band that he created to backup other Justin does DJ Percussion (formerly “Party Percussion”) DJs are also musician “Herbie Hancock invented hip hop with scratching” — Justin Scheidling 01:06:23 Learning to be a Party/DJ Percussionist Adapted Blue Man Group stuff, stick twirls, standing drums, percussion…all making the show! 01:08:53 It’s always a show! Every little thing comes from a lesson learned! I have the best job ever! 01:11:30 Gig Gab 502 Outtro Follow Justin Scheidling JustinScheidling.com @JustinScheidling on IG Follow and Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post From Load-In to Bus Call: A Tech’s Life on the Big Time Rush Tour with Stephen Kramer Glickman — Gig Gab 502 with Justin Scheidling appeared first on Gig Gab.

Jack McCarthy joins you on Gig Gab to dig into the real business of music, how to grow attention, capture it, and convert it into lasting fan relationships. You’ll learn why the right material works, how to transform inspiration into your own content, and why audio quality matters less than energy when you’re trying to make fans say, “who is this band?” It’s about creating cultural moments, fueling FOMO, and turning one-time listeners into repeat buyers. This is where “Always Be Performing” extends beyond the stage into every piece of marketing you share. From building email and SMS lists to flattening the revenue rollercoaster with calendars and consistent outreach, you’ll see how indie artists can move from surviving to thriving. Jack and Dave walk through practical strategies like dissecting viral hits, harnessing UGC, and even using AI to smash blank page syndrome. You’ll hear why you’re probably not being “salesy” enough, and how treating your marketing as another form of performance makes it feel authentic, not forced. If you’re ready to stand out in a noisy world, this episode shows you how. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 501 – Monday, September 29th, 2025 September 29th: National Silent Movie Day Guest co-host: Jack McCarthy from Indepreneur & their Creative Juice Podcast 00:02:35 Let’s talk Business of music 00:03:04 Indepreneur – Music Marketing Education Monetizing a fanbase Coaching artists IndieX – an agency working 1-on-1 with artists 00:04:42 Start gathering attention You need to start growing a critical mass 00:05:51 Once you have attention you need to capture that in a number of different ways 00:06:40 Converting attention into a next step Audience into an email or SMS list Or getting someone to buy from you the first time (tickets, merch) Buying from you again (Patreon) 00:08:09 To gain attention: pay attention to the types of videos that capture your attention Clickbait is effective for a reason! Apply the same ideas to the stuff that you make Emulate and morph it into something 00:10:15 Learn other peoples stuff… then learn FROM other people’s stuff Eventually you have something that is yours 00:12:25 Coaching people through creating their first posts So much of it involves working to “get the suck out of it” Learn what makes you… you! “I would love to make a video like that” Story of when Dave almost got crushed by a monitor tower 00:15:44 Should we always be filming? Capture as much as you can while you’re working (performing, songwriting) 00:17:33 Audio quality is better than video quality But there is the definition of “good enough” Energy matters most. Make people ask, “who is this band?” Create FOMO for people to come to your SHOW 00:20:06 Creating cultural moments Make people ask, “what is that?” “who is that?” “how can I be there next time?” 00:22:52 Creating User Generated Content-style channels for your own band 00:25:29 Dissecting Oasis’s creation of cultural moments 00:27:33 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab 00:28:51 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab 00:30:46 Jack McCarthy, the musician Creatives struggle the idea of marketing themselves. Am I being too salesy or cheesy? What am I sacrificing? Answer: you’re not being salesy enough! Always be performing means you can perform with your marketing, too 00:36:19 Digging into the Billboard Hot 100’s Email Marketing You probably aren’t sending enough email to your list. Creative Juice Podcast about the Email Marketing of the Billboard Hot 100 00:41:04 You are not competing against your competitors, you’re competing with everything else in the lives of your fans (family, job, etc) People get distracted by life 00:42:20 Posting one time is not enough – no one sees and digests everything you post Gig Gab with Jan Hammer goes viral every time 00:44:45 Get the content right first, THEN plug it into the advertising machine Small Town Titans cover of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” went viral… every time. Then advertise your viral content! Be content first, then you have an asset that you can use on different platforms and different places 00:48:32 Start selling to your fans Give them something for free in exchange for their contact information 00:49:30 Flatten the Revenue Rollercoaster Build a content calendar Build a sales promotion calendar 00:51:46 Using AI to come up with ideas…and more? Building internal workflows with agentic AI with tools like N8N Copywriting Brainstorming partner Using it as a sounding board AI greatly diminishes blank page syndrome 00:55:09 Using Suno to write songs Creative Juice episode on the legal concerns with Suno and Coding with AI is a game-changers 00:59:20 Look to the videos that inspire you, take cues from them, and then use that to pull your potential fans in If you’ve already got an audience and wants to create sticky fans, come up with something to offer them (something you can sell, a record, early access, anything that lets them go a little bit deeper into your world) 01:01:09 Gig Gab 501 Outtro Follow Jack McCarthy Indepreneur.io and IndeX Follow Creative Juice Podcast Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post Indie Music Mastery: Marketing, Email, and AI with Jack McCarthy — Gig Gab 501 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Celebrating 500 episodes, you’re right in the middle of a musician’s playground with Dave, Mike Schulte, and Skylar Hamilton. You’ll hear how Skylar picked up the sticks to ace a school audition, why guitar lessons with Dad flopped, and what it takes to manage intensity behind the kit, especially as the decades wear on. From Clem Burke’s calorie-burning groove to the strange question of why drums wear covers, you’re reminded that rhythm is equal parts sweat, curiosity, and craft. Always Be Performing, whether it’s a practice room breakthrough or chasing the perfect sound on stage. The crew also dives into their favorite past episodes—Jan Hammer, Kenny Aronoff, and the time Dave encountered the perfect microphone in the middle of the woods. They break down the stats of 500 shows, debate cable-wrapping controversies, and swap dream guest lists ranging from Geddy Lee to Joe Jonas. It’s a candid look at what keeps Gig Gab thriving: learning from everyone, laughing at quirks, and spotlighting the passion that fuels musicians (and drummers!) alike. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 500 – Monday, September 22nd, 2025 September 22nd: National Family Day Guest co-hosts: Mike Schulte, and Skylar Hamilton 00:05:00 How did Skylar come to play drums? Dad, I need you to teach me how to play the drums so I can pass an audition for the school band “I knew my dad was cool.” Daddy/daughter guitar lessons were a spectacular failure, but we approached drums differently…and succeeded! 00:14:30 Daddy, why is there a cover on your drums? 00:15:41 Re-learning our intensity levels as drummers Keeping Clem Burke burned 800 calories per hour drumming 00:19:02 What are your favorite episodes? Jan Hammer on Gig Gab Kenny Aronoff on Gig Gab Propofol Airlines on Gig Gab 25:00 Four Chords and The Truth Tom Petty Tribute on Gig Gab Pork Tornadoes Viral Video with Tennesee Whiskey 00:31:55 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab 00:33:24 PODCAST: Takin’ a Walk with Buzz Knight explores the insights from guests about musicians, bands, and the music they create. 00:34:47 500 Episodes…The STATS! 420 hours, 2 minutes, 27 seconds (through ep499) Longest confirmed: Gig Gab 498 from September 8, 2025– “Always Be Recording…with Brad Madix” at 1:33:05 Shortest confirmed: Gig Gab 312 from July 12, 2021 – “The Ever Elusive “Great Sound”” at 24:42 00:36:37 …and Dave Friesema listened to all of it! Earthworks SV33…and then the Earthworks ETHOS 00:42:36 Gig Gab Controversy: WRAP YOUR CABLES LIKE FOLDING SHEETS Lowell Cross OG Recording Studio Engineers 00:49:32 Interviewing people is about the interviewER, too. 00:53:03 What are Skylar’s favorite episodes Chinner Winstead on Gig Gab Bakithi Kumalo on Gig Gab 00:55:59 Dream Guest Co-Hosts Geddy Lee Alex Lifeson Noel Gallagher Liam Gallagher Joe Jonas 01:04:08 Trying not to fangirl 01:05:55 Gig Gab 500 Outtro Follow Mike Schulte Confused Breakfast The Pork Tornadoes Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List   The post Calories, Controversies, and Connections — 500 Episodes Later — Gig Gab 500 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week on Gig Gab, you’ll dive into the wild, creative energy of Stu Dias, creator of Diaspora Radio, co-founder of Soggy Po Boys, and more, sitting in with Dave Hamilton. You’ll hear how albums, once carefully crafted statements, inspired Stu’s pandemic-born project to breathe new life into full-length records on stage. From Taylor Swift’s track order to Pink Floyd’s legendary flow, the talk turns to interpretation: should songs always evolve, or do they need their “rockin’ version” first, like Layla? Add in some debate over encores, the Sea Turtle attitude toward music scenes, and whether musicians actually want to see more bands on their night off, and you’ve got a ride that feels as lively as a late-night set. The conversation moves into the grit of band dynamics…knowing when you’re the engine and when you’re the fuel, handling GB gigs without losing your soul, and making sure new people feel welcome in the scene. Stu and Dave dig into rhythm, habit, and the beauty of live art that’s gone the second it happens; ephemeral, like sea turtles drifting by. You’ll explore the 80% Rule, the risks of saying no too often, and what it really means to keep people calling. Along the way: George Clinton, Funkadelic, and the reminder that what you play matters far less than how you make people feel. Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 499 – Monday, September 15th, 2025 September 8th: National Linguine Day Guest co-host: Stu Dias from Diaspora Radio, Soggy Po Boys, and More 00:03:35 Diaspora Radio came from Pandemic Thoughts Sitting in the car with a buddy listening to albums… why not play them live? People used to put a lot of time and care and passion into construction an album Does that still happen? Does Taylor Swift care about running order? Pink Floyd did. And so did other artists. And such… Diaspora Radio was born 00:09:19 No encores… Except Lovelight with American Beauty 00:10:54 Band negotiations over songs Should you do a different interpretation? Layla’s second life as an acoustic version…but would it have happened without the original, rockin’ version first? 00:15:36 When you gig and have a night off… do you want to go see another band in another club? 00:16:08 Having a Sea Turtle attitude to approaching music Every scene is different 00:21:45 Forming different bands for different projects Each group of people have different strengths 00:23:54 Comparing New Hampshire seacoast to the New Orleans traditional jazz scene The word “band” means a different thing Sponsors 00:25:40 SPONSOR: Gig Performer is a plugin host, an audio mixer, a backing tracks player, and more that gives you real-time control…live. Visit GigPerformer.com/GigGab for 10% off. 00:27:40 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today! 00:29:02 The shame of playing cover music in the wrong scene Playing GB (aka General Business) gigs Don’t break up the band! 00:41:48 Taking a good scenario for granted 00:44:46 Understanding when you’re the engine and when you’re the fuel Dave Bang Drum Learning to be the fuel to serve the engines of your band 00:50:19 Bringing new people into the scene And supporting those new people! 00:53:30 The 80% Rule from Business Brain 00:58:11 What happens when you say “no” too many times in a row? People stop calling. And then you get in your head. Did I upset them? 01:02:23 On Stu leaving the Soggy Po’ Boys Being a creature of habit in rhythm 01:05:01 Don’t Think, Just Concentrate 01:06:34 The ephemeral beauty of live art “What are you gonna do? Go Back In time and change it? You’re in the future, man.” Ephemeral Sea Turtles 01:10:43 What drummer influenced Dave the most? 01:13:57 What musician would Dave want to see if he could go back in time? 01:17:45 Check out George Clinton’s work today Stu: favorite band is Funkadelic 01:18:16 What made Stu wanna play guitar? What you play doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what you make people feel. 01:23:43 What artist would Stu wanna see? 01:26:06 Gig Gab 499 Outtro Follow Stu Dias DiasporaRadio.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Stu Dias and The Ephemeral Sea Turtles — Gig Gab 499 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You’re revolutionizing live audio in ways that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Brad Madix joins Dave Hamilton to break down how you can now mix a 186-channel concert in ATMOS from thousands of miles away with only 125ms latency, using nothing more than the public internet and cloud services. Whether you’re handling a seven-minute festival changeover with 256 live channels or capturing audience ambiance with DPA 5100 surround mics, the technology exists to stream professional-quality audio anywhere. The game-changer? REMI (Remote Integration Model) eliminates the need for massive OB trucks by letting you send a simple box that plugs into the internet and streams everything to your remote mixing suite. Your mixing philosophy matters as much as your technical setup, thought, so remember to Always Be Performing by keeping your eyes up and watching the actual show instead of staying glued to your console. When someone complains “it’s too loud,” they usually mean the vocals aren’t cutting through the mix—a psychoacoustic principle that separates amateur from professional engineers. Document everything your band does, mix the first song in your mind before showtime, and understand that live music’s ephemeral nature means some magical moments will never be captured again. As AI tools like Suno emerge for songwriting, they’ll likely serve as assistants rather than replacements, but the human touch remains essential for reading the room and adapting to those unexpected MIDI malfunctions that can threaten to derail even legendary acts like Rush. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 498 – Monday, September 8th, 2025 September 8th: National Ampersand Day Guest co-host: Brad Madix 00:02:10 Mixing FOH this for Florence and The Machine Festival NAPA Valley 00:03:18 Recorded the Ozzy / Sabbath concert in Birmingham First, rehearsals in Redditch – Fly By Nite MADI from Bands Elgato Stream Deck 00:07:23 Doing a Seven Minute Changeover Total of 256 live channels of inputs 3 sets of 64 channels of analog inputs 32 audience mics, plus presenters mics, plus a DJ, etc And then the band on stage 00:10:44 What is MADI? Most live consoles allow a MADI output (some via add-on connector) The Rival Suns at Ozzy / Sabbath in Birmingham sent pre-mixed drums, etc Using DPA 5100 Mobile Surround 5.1 microphones for audience capture Brad and team were submixing the live audience mics 00:22:29 Live Music is Ephemeral Some things don’t get recorded Robert Scovill’s Back Lounge 00:26:38 Document everything your band does 00:28:44 Rush felt like it was important to have something “in the can” 00:30:56 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab 00:32:53 SPONSOR: Mechanical Licensing Collective – Are you a songwriter, music publisher, or administrator? Every month, The MLC collects the streaming data and royalties from Spotify and Apple Music, matches the money to the creator who has earned it, and then pays out the royalties due. Visit TheMLC.com today to sign up! 00:34:20 Time for REMI – Remote Integration Model for Live Broadcast Normal/big money broadcast would roll an OB Truck – 53 foot long trailer with a video switching system, producer calling the shots, audio mixing suite, everything. REMI uses the internet to stream signal to a remote suite IMAG for video. 00:41:42 New model: Send a box, plug it into the internet, done. Why can’t you stream a live concert the same way you stream live sports? Swatch Internet Time 00:45:18 Time for some testing A new year’s eve show as a proof of concept 186 channels of 48kHz remotely from Atlanta to Philadelphia and mixed the show in ATMOS Only 125ms of latency. 4K Video 00:48:22 Avoiding sync-based digital distortion/clicking RX 11 Voice De-Noise 00:52:53 Delay by Distance… an explanation 00:54:31 Mixing Remotely Hamilton (in New York) was mixed from Australia Clair Global Audio Done on the public internet using Amazon Web Services 01:01:06 Mixing live remotely? 01:02:52 Could AI mix a show? Suno AI for writing songs 01:09:32 AI as an assistant engineer, not a replacement? 01:11:48 As a live engineer, make sure you watch the show. Get your eyes up. Step away from the desk. It sounds different. 01:15:04 Before the show, mix the first song in your mind 01:18:56 Rush Story: Subdivisions… first song of the show. MIDI malfunctions, keyboard stops. 01:24:20 Dissecting Psychoacoustics “It’s Too Loud” often means “vocals aren’t loud enough” 01:25:29 Story time with (Brad and Dave) You’ll have to listen to hear these! 01:30:35 Gig Gab 498 Outtro Follow Brad Madix Diablo Digital Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Always Be Recording…with Brad Madix — Gig Gab 498 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Keith Murray from We Are Scientists joins you this week for a sharp, hilarious, and revealing ride. From joking about being background extras in cult films to the story of meeting Chris Cain at a Dawson’s Creek viewing party, you’re reminded that sometimes saying yes to everything really can lead to magic. Keith reflects on 20 years of With Love and Squalor, the way nostalgia feels different than expected, and how the band has thrived through bullheaded persistence and genuine friendship. Along the way, you’ll hear about balancing rock with comedy, learning when to bail, and embracing the butterfly-of-chaos moments that turn near-disaster into beauty. You’ll also get insights into the We Are Scientists ethos and how building fan connection went far beyond music, from early multimedia websites to zines and weird videos that built a “true fans” culture before it was cool. Touring is still about competing with people’s couches, but the band’s vibe keeps fans engaged like they’re part of the hang. The big takeaway? Whether you’re on stage, creating content, or just navigating the chaos, the key is to Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 497 – Monday, September 1st, 2025 Guest co-host: Keith Murray from We Are Scientists 00:01:18 It’s It’s Qualifying Miles…not Qualifying Minds 00:02:20 September 1st: National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day 00:03:36 Wanting to be a background player in a Final Destination film, or the Anaconda series Butterfly of Chaos 00:06:51 Seeing Oasis in Toronto…Separately! Deciding Not To Find Things Objectionable 00:13:18 We Are Scientists at Emo’s with Bill Murray in 2010 00:20:18 Qualifying Miles, the new album It’s more about wondering why I’m not more nostalgic? It’s been 20 years since With Love and Squalor came out Revisiting those moments from the past…but noticing that they matter less than we anticipated 00:25:00 Chris Cain and Keith met at a 1997 Dawson’s Creek viewing party Pomona College in California Say yes to everything 00:29:14 On being part rock band, part comedy act 00:35:56 Is the crowd rooting for you, or scrutinizing you? 00:39:46 At the Precipice of Disaster but Delivering Beauty like a Butterfly of Chaos 00:42:45 Knowing when to bail 00:44:04 Why is We Are Scientists successful after 20 years (and counting)? One reason…Bullheaded persistence: we still want to be doing this! We are still best friends. We still would be hanging out regardless of the band. Another… the vibe of WAS is pretty good. Our fans feel like they’re doing things with friends. 00:48:05 How do you engage with your fans between shows? Even in 2002, the website was not all about music. It had fiction writing, weird videos The website was a media concern built to be serving their “true fans” 00:52:34 The Twin Town Gazette: Chris and Keith Dave Eggers – MacSweeney’s We Are Scientists have always been a multimedia concern…even before the band was formed 00:57:52 Getting meta: discussing interview styles 01:02:12 We Are Scientists on Tour in US, Canada, and UK this fall Competing with the couch! 01:05:41 Gig Gab 497 Outtro Follow We Are Scientists IG: @wearescientists Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Keith Murray on The Chaos, Comedy, and Heart Behind We Are Scientists — Gig Gab 497 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week, you’ll hear how Paul Kent is clocking an impressive 160 gigs this year while navigating the realities of new bands, new towns, and the politics of live music scenes. From the sting of finding out your band might replace you, to turning that around with a “sub for a sub” mindset, Paul shares what it’s like to balance loyalty, opportunity, and staying sharp on stage. You’ll get a peek into the 27-year run of The Houserockers, tackling shows without a co-lead singer, and the ever-present “it’s my calendar” problem every working musician knows too well. Dave and Paul dig into why a full band creates better music, the importance of subs in keeping the show alive, and even prepping for difficult productions. This sparks a deep dive into the question every musician should answer: what is your brand? Whether you’re juggling hundreds of gigs or building your scene from scratch, the takeaway is clear: Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 496 – Monday, August 25th, 2025 August 25th: International Banana Split Day (also Gene Simmons and Billy Ray Cyrus’s Birthdays!) Guest co-host: Paul Kent 00:02:40 160 Gigs this year for Paul! 00:05:06 Wait…who is Paul Kent? 00:09:00 Starting anew with a new band in a new place is… tough! Scenes are a thing…and there’s regionality to it! What happens when your band wants to replace you…some of the time? It’s never fun to find out that your band is plotting without you. Effectively: “If you’re going to sub me out, I have to sub you out, too.” 00:19:32 Paul’s band, The Houserockers, are in their 27th year! 00:20:19 Doing gigs without your co-leadsinger Stinkfoot Orchestra, Nick’s Zappa tribute 00:25:55 The “it’s my calendar” problem 00:29:00 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today! 00:30:25 SPONSOR: Gig Performer is a plugin host, an audio mixer, a backing tracks player, and more that gives you real-time control…live. Visit GigPerformer.com/GigGab for 10% off. 00:32:16 A Band Makes For Better Music Adam Moskowitz on Gig Gab 00:43:53 Prepping for Taylor Swift 00:46:15 Subs are important to making the show happen 00:47:14 Dave Friesema listened to … every episode of Gig Gab ever… and had some thoughts! 00:49:06 What is your brand? 00:50:40 Gig Gab 494 Outtro Follow Paul Kent Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post When Your Band Replaces You… and How to Replace Them Back — Gig Gab 496 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You’re in the room with The Coffis Brothers this week as Jamie and Kellen sit down with Dave to unpack the art of keeping a band tight—musically, emotionally, and logistically. From maintaining long-term chemistry with the same players to writing songs that leave space for bandmates to shape the vibe, you’ll hear how collaboration fuels creativity. Drummers, take note: the groove is the feel, and every quirky idea deserves a spin. The secret? Try everything, trust each other, and Always Be Performing. Whether you’re wrangling song credits or managing egos, this episode dives into what makes a band work. You’ll get insights on touring tech tips (hello, splitter snake), surviving soundchecks with new FOH engineers, and the power of being kind to everyone—from the club staff to the crowd. The three guys share thoughts on navigating click tracks, choosing covers as an originals band, and how AI might fit into it all (or…not?). It’s a masterclass in band dynamics—fun, honest, and full of stories that’ll stick with you, just like those hooks The Coffis Brothers write! 00:00:00 Gig Gab 495 – Monday, August 18th, 2025 August 18th: National Ice Cream Pie Day Guest co-hosts: Jamie & Kellen Coffis, The Coffis Brothers! Originally on Gig Gab 46! 00:03:23 Maintaining the same band for as long as you can The comfort level of having the same people in the band 00:05:52 Writing songs and bringing them into the band You write a song and bring the skeleton to the band You’re writing for a band The band very much informs my sensibilities in how I write, even when they’re not in the room 00:10:14 Navigating the drum parts as a songwriter The drums are the thing that can define the feel of the song 00:13:08 As a drummer, do you experiment with simplicity … or complexity? The drummer winds up trying everyone else’s crazy ideas…and sometimes they work 00:18:40 In the songwriting process, you’ve gotta try every idea and do it with conviction! Getting confirmation bias out of it “Everyone needs to be empowered to get to the place where they’re playing with that shared joy” 00:21:12 A band is a team You gotta make a few passes before you take that big shot Wait for the opportunity, don’t force it 00:23:47 Balancing credit so the public doesn’t pull you apart Bands who famously publicly-shared credit to avoid battles: Beatles, REM, Rush, more? It needs to be fun for everyone! Let everyone have their voice. 00:25:48 Someone needs to be in charge, but… a benevolent dictator is best. But you want your record to sound like five guys in a room having fun 00:27:24 When it’s fun… vs. when it’s not fun If you’re not having fun, ask yourself what you can change (hint: you can always change yourself) 00:31:56 Sometimes letting go is best 00:33:16 Managing your expectations When it comes to sound, travel with a splitter snake 00:40:00 Considering the move to In Ear Monitors 00:42:11 Traveling with the same FOH engineer for every gig Playing with John Craigie (and his FOH engineer) Negotiating a new relationship with Every. Single. Engineer. 00:47:28 Even if just for a few hours, we’re all on the same team 00:49:41 Developing camaraderie with everyone, even the waitstaff Curate a fun environment “Say please and thank you, a lot. And take responsibility for mistakes, even if they aren’t yours.” 00:53:44 Playing with nanny tracks, a click, and a guide “Kimmy” became our guide through a Taylor Swift Tribute Those songs are particular! 01:00:34 That first “Stumble Through” rehearsal Are we learning the song note-for-note, or are we taking liberties? And where’s the line to blend those two? 01:04:25 Playing an Abbey Road tribute Joined by Holly Bowling 01:06:16 Picking covers…in an original band No matter what you choose, it’s about the people performing AND the people listening 01:09:15 What do you think about AI? 01:10:22 Gig Gab 495 Outtro Follow The Coffis Brothers Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Band Chemistry and Collaboration: Lessons with The Coffis Brothers — Gig Gab 495 appeared first on Gig Gab.