Gab and Jam

Gab & Jam Episode 64 Underappreciated Musical Geniuses Video Description We have long been fascinated by artists who have, perhaps, been unassuming, but who done some spectacular work and don’t get the credit they deserve. In this episode, we look at a few noteworthy examples. Since this list is by no means comprehensive, we welcome any additions you can suggest. (If you would prefer to listen to...

Gab & Jam Episode 63 Musical artists who've had dramatic transformations Video Description We have long been fascinated by artists who have more than one life, figuratively; artists who have managed to grow with their audience and/or attract an audience willing to grow with them. In this episode, we look at a few noteworthy examples. Since this list is by no means comprehensive, we welcome any add...

Gab & Jam Episode 62 Hologram tours: yay or nay? People are filling up colosseums to see their favorite artists perform via holograms. With the passing of many of our greats, there seems to be an increase in the number of shows that feature hologram performers. We absolutely love the idea of celebrating the stage shows of those who have passed, so we discuss how this may be the way to keep their l...

Gab & Jam Episode 61: “Old Town Road” Number One for 8 Weeks?! This one is hot off the presses. Everywhere we look, we see folks sharing—and, more importantly, listening—to Lil Nas X’s hit, “Old Town Road.” No matter how you feel about it as a musician/songwriter/artist, it has caught on like wildfire. What does that mean for those of us who create—and consume—music from now on? Check out our disc...

Gab and Jam Episode 59 Waiting for inspiration is a sucker’s game Video Description “Waiting for inspiration is a sucker’s game.” -Todd Henry We used to believe in the idea that there were these magical moments, when a muse will gift us with kernels of creativity. However, the older we get and the more “life gets in the way,” the more we have come to realize that the longer we wait on inspiration,...

Gab & Jam Episode 60 Tapsongz.com Video Description This episode is in response to a series of questions sent to us by Eric Rustad from TapSongz @TapSongz www.tapsongz.com . We are going to be featured in his music blog and we thought we’d piggyback on that opportunity by sharing what we shared with him with you. (If you prefer to listen to the podcast, click here: ) Takeaways: • We are a machine....

This episode is dedicated to those creative individuals who are trying to find their voice and craft a brand. If you have already figured out who you are and what your message is, then this discussion will only confirm what you already know. If not, then maybe this discussion will spark something in you and help you on your path. (If you prefer to view to the podcast, click here: http://bit.ly/2He...

Gab & Jam Episode 57 What is retro? Episode Description This episode piggybacks on the last episode—Are genres important anymore? In this one, we discuss whether or not the idea of retro music is a misnomer. What does it even mean anymore? What decade does it indicate? Terms like “modern” and “old school” provides those same challenges. We try to explore the ideas around “retro” music. You be the...

Gab & Jam Episode 56 Are genres important anymore? Video Description In this episode, we discuss whether or not categorizing music by genres is possible and whether or not it is beneficial. (If you prefer to listen to the podcast, click here: ) Not only is this a topic that is near and dear to our hearts—because we write songs that genre-bend greatly (which has always proved difficult to classify)...

Gab & Jam Episode 55 Community Vs. Competition Video Description In this episode, we discuss why there seems to be a stronger tendency for musical artists to compete with each other than to work together. (If you prefer to listen to the podcast, click here: ) The traditional notion of folks vying for a spot at the table or for that one record deal was what we had grown accustomed to experiencing....

Gab & Jam Episode 54 Should artists be political? Art in the Age of Trump Video Description It seems that it is almost hip to be political, as an artist. At the same time, there are fans who from upon artists who express their politics openly. Which way is best? In this age of the Trump presidency, is it okay for artists to be political? You tell us. But listen in on this conversation in the meant...

Gab & Jam Episode 52 Have whites wrongly appropriated black music? In this episode, dare we ask the question, “Have whites wrongly appropriated black music?” Though it is a question that has recently re-surfaced with a controversy involving Bruno Mars (who has been accused of appropriating funk), it is a question that has plagued pop culture for at least half a century. From Elvis Presley being du...

Is South By Southwest Worth It? Video Description In this episode, we “unpack” our first South By Southwest experience by giving tips to new attendees. We also answer the question that we get asked most often is “Is SXSW worth the cost of admission?” 1. We answer the question “Is South By Southwest Worth It?” 2. Tips and tricks from newbies for a better newbie experience This follows up a blog pos...

Gab & Jam Episode 51 Can you separate the art from the artist? This is a highly topical issue, as entertainers, like Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, and Michael Jackson, to name a few, are involved in some way in sexually illegal activities. There is a public outcry to cut all ties between them and the public, as well as their ability to make a living. So, we challenged ourselves to answer the question of w...

Gab & Jam Episode 50 Insights from a Music Blogger We have our first ever in-studio guest, Lori Stratton, founder of the Stratton Setlist blog. She is a concert and album reviewer, who has traveled locally, as well as internationally just to catch a good concert. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrattonsetlist/ Blog: https://strattonsetlist.com/ Email: strattonsetlist@yahoo.com Cell: 734.945...

Gab & Jam Episode 49 Are albums irrelevant? Video Description In this day and age, artists are releasing songs with more of a singles mindset and the formal structure of an album is not something that is subscribed to. Artists want hits and that doesn’t rely on an album. However, the album, as a concept, helps convey a unified message of an artist and sometimes transmits you into another world of...

Gab & Jam Episode 48 How much of a song should an artist be allowed to sample? This episode piggybacks on Episode 45 Music of Today: Worse Than Ever? (https://youtu.be/FvB8G9ATj_A ) and episode 46 Steal my Stuff (https://youtu.be/O6ZIAuSbz7w ). If you’d like show notes and to find out about other former and upcoming topics, be sure to go to http://www.bloomingprejippie.com/subscribe , so that you...

Gab & Jam Ep 47 Do you need to write your own songs to be considered an artist? This episode asks an age-old question that has plagued musicologists from decade to decade. What does it mean for an act to be considered an “artist”? Let’s look at some examples and decide together. Rather watch than listen? Here's the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Ns50xTfdBAA WANT MORE? • In the mood for discoverin...

A look at intellectual property (it's copyrighted the minute it is fixed), finding your tribe, ideas are not copyrightable, stealing is the best form of flattery, if someone else makes it a hit (they have to come back for more to keep it going), life's too short to worry, snd there's no bad attention. A great benefit to freely sharing is that not only do you get to share your gift with people, but...

Gab & Jam Episode 45 Is the music of today worse than ever before? This episode asks an age-old question that has plagued musicologists from decade to decade. In a recent Twitter poll, a music journalist asked his followers. That’s when I knew it was the perfect topic for us to discuss. Our answer might surprise you…. Here's the video: http://bit.ly/2Wbvplh WANT MORE? • In the mood for discovering...

Gab & Jam Episode 43 Musical Discoveries V2.0 Description This episode is a follow-up to our first Gab & Jam episode (https://youtu.be/pqObIeyy5FA ), which nearly a year and a half ago. As we worked on the “research” for this episode, I noticed a common thread with at least half of the artists represented here and that’s they represent some sort of cultural, ethnic, or racial mixture, and for the...

Gab & Jam Episode 42 Musical Discoveries V2.0 Part 1 This episode is a follow-up to our first Gab & Jam episode (https://youtu.be/pqObIeyy5FA ), which nearly a year and a half ago. As we worked on the “research” for this episode, I noticed a common thread with at least half of the artists represented here and that’s they represent some sort of cultural, ethnic, or racial mixture, and for the ones...

Gab & Jam Episode 44 19 Goals for 2019 This episode is a direct response to a practice that I learned about by listening to the “Happier” podcast, hosted by Gretchen Rubin. Rubin co-hosted the episode with her sister, Elizabeth. It was so fun and inspiring that it seemed like a less intimidating way to set goals for the new year. So, I decided to try this with my buddy/my pal/my hubby, since many...

Gab & Jam Episode 41 Who “deserves” to be on the Grammy list? This video is actually a reaction to an article more than anything else, but it’s toward a topic that we’ve been discussing for years. It’s just that this particular article sparked that debate again. The topic is who actually “deserves” to be on the Grammy nomination list? I’m going to warn you in advance that this topic takes us down...

Day 30 Blog-vember 30 Questions Video Gab & Jam Lite Episode 40 Gab & Jam Lite (Episode 40): We thought we’d do something fun for Blog-Vember by randomly choosing from a bag a question for us both to answer. There is a question for each day and the rub of it is that Bruce does not know what the questions are before the recording of episode. This made the answers spontaneous and the experience more...