Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Gigging musicians always have stories, some of them fantastic, some tales of woe. Today your two favorite Weekend Warriors dive into the pool and pull out a few of their favorites. Listen as Paul and Dave celebrate and commiserate together, then share your stories with them, too! The post People Behaving Badly – Stories From the Stage Vol. 1 – GigGab 67 appeared first on Gig Gab .

It’s time for the therapy couch today, but don’t worry, it ends with dance songs, we promise! First, Paul and Dave answer some of your questions. What does it mean to be a generous musician? How much gigging is too much gigging (or is there such a concept)? These are your questions and Paul and Dave have answers. Then your two favorite weekend warriors pull back the curtain a bit and d...

Paul’s been doing a lot of vocal rehearsals lately as The Houserockers prep for their summer season, so he and Dave spend some quality time dissecting what makes a vocal rehearsal successful, including the main goal of doing such a thing. In addition, discussing that summer season prep leads your two favorite weekend warriors into a discussion about the tolls that performing takes, physicall...

Do you ever take requests? Do you ever post to Facebook to promote your band? Do you ever send out an email about your gigs? Do you think that’s even close to being enough to truly curate your audience? Paul and Dave have a very revealing chat about what they do – and what they used to do – to promote their musical endeavors. What do YOU do? The post Putting Time and Effort Into Audience Cur...

It’s time to open up the mailbag, folks, and with questions about convincing your band to embrace technology and learning more about hearing protection, this one is guaranteed to inform  and entertain! That plus some thoughts about being led… and leading leaders. Press play and enjoy! The post Hearing Protection, Leading Leaders and More – GigGab 63 appeared first on Gig Gab .

How often do you take a step back and evaluate your band, both musically and visually? It’s easy for unwanted elements to creep into your songs and shows over time and, once there, they’re hard to notice without taking a step out of your own shoes and looking back. Paul and Dave talk about how they do (and don’t do) that in their own lives. Email gets a hard look by the guys toda...

When you’re doing something that sits between hobby and job, how do you define success? Paul and Dave take some time out this week to explore this topic… but not before wrapping up last week’s conversation about The Disagreement . Enjoy! The post Defining Success – GigGab 61 appeared first on Gig Gab .

When you’re in a band, there are some things you can polish quickly and some things that take time. Focus is one of the former, and Paul and Dave talk through just how important it is to them. Then it’s on to the talk about both commitment and playing in multiple bands. Let’s just say there are some subjects in this episode upon which Paul and Dave agree … and some where th...

Today your two favorite weekend warriors warm up with warming up! It’s all about what you do to prepare for a gig and how you get ready for that first downbeat. Then it’s on to a conversation about how you land that downbeat in the first place by differentiating – and selling – yourself. And, as a bonus, you’ll get to hear why GigGab is the  premier   podcast for working musician...

Playing on stage means (at least occasionally) playing in a rehearsal room. But how sacred is that room? Do your experiences there need to be as special as they are on stage? Do you work to make it feel and sound good in that space, or does it just serve a purpose, like a rusty hammer? Listen as Dave and Paul talk through their differing opinions here. Then Paul digs into Dave’s drummer mind...

After delaying a day Paul and Dave take to the mics and let their headcold-infused minds loop their way through the topics for this week’s show. Paul’s excited about some new tunes that he’s doing with The Houserockers and, well, heck, he’s excited about everything today! Hear him and Dave talk through those tunes plus visit subjects like using a click live, singing without...

Well, folks, it took over a year but we all knew it had to happen sooner or later… Dave brought up the subject of this band Paul saw last night and the episode never turned back. Yep, you guessed it… Bruce Springsteen was the topic of conversation during the second-half of this week’s episode, and that led to a few interesting tangents. Ahead of that, though, was a discussion abo...

This week Paul and Dave have a verbal jam session, riffing off each others’ ideas and discussing whatever comes to mind. Topics include subbing, some recently-tested gear, working with masters of their craft and playing music for music’s sake. The show follows more of a flow than you might think reading these topics, though, so just press play and start listening! Stuff mentioned: Mack...

If a musician plays and no one is there to hear him or her, does it still matter? You bet it does, and Paul and Dave talk about why. Then it’s on to why recording yourself when you’re all alone matters, too… you’ll learn a lot from this episode, we promise! You’ll also learn about whether or not it’s important to be true to who you are and, finally, whether or n...

FLING has begun recording some of their originals and Dave talks about the process of not only getting the recording started but also just how they go about picking which tunes to record. This, of course, opens up a discussion that relates to all types of bands, including those who play only covers. Paul and Dave discuss the nuances of recording and share their favorite tips, as well. Paul makes a...

Paul’s been tasked with forming (another) All-Star band, this time made up of Bay Area musicians, and he and Dave discuss the options and obstacles involved with putting that together. Then it’s time to answer listener Kevin’s question about money. Always a big topic amongst weekend warriors, the Money Talk gets your two favorite working musicians all worked up about the right –...

A weekend warrior turned full-time warrior, Steve Witschel went from working real jobs and just playing weekend gigs to playing full-time in New Orleans. He likes to say he’s a worldwide musician that gets to stay in one place because of the variety of people he sees, and he’s got the stories to prove it. Steve started his Cover Band Central Facebook page which is now followed by almos...

This week it’s all about Yacht Rock and golf. No, not really, mostly it’s about what’s the right way to present yourself on stage as Paul and Dave talk through the Seven Deadly Performance Sins … and how NOT to commit them. But there’s a little bit about Yacht Rock and golf. Enjoy! Stuff mentioned: Mustache Harbor (and their “Yacht Rock”  song list ) &#822...

Paul and Dave take some time today to discuss acoustic gigs and how they can be quite beneficial to your more rocked-up playing, too. Acoustic gigs can provide opportunity to hone your crowd-interaction chops, improve your harmonies and give you a completely different perspective on live performance. Listen to your two favorite weekend warriors talk about all this plus some of their favorite gear...

This week Paul​ and Dave​ take on a full load of topics including introducing a new friend of the show, they talk about a new project Paul is working on and then spend a good bit of time answering a listener’s question about how to bring your band to the next level. Plus, Dave gets geeky teaching everyone how to count the intro to The Eagles’ “Take It Easy.” All this and mo...

Today your two favorite weekend warriors let their geek flags fly as they talk about (some of) their favorite gear to use at gigs and on stage. They surprised each other with some inclusions and will likely surprise you, as well. First, though, a few words about not only David Bowie, but the honest fact that artists pass away while their art lives on. Listen to hear what Paul and Dave have to say...

Kellen and Jamie Coffis – The Coffis Brothers – came and joined your two favorite weekend warriors to talk about what it takes to run a successful original band in today’s world. Between recording albums, touring, crafting their own events, singing harmonies, writing songs and managing band members, the Coffis Brothers have found the magic mix… and share their secrets with you on this...

Tonight Paul and Dave’s (fictitious) Aunt has left them some money and they’re opening a club targeted at live music. Hear what these two Weekend Warriors have to say as they Monday-morning quarterback their way through drafting a business plan for a live music venue. All manner of topics are discussed and some of them might even hold water! Have some fun with the guys and come along f...

Going to see live music is something every musician enjoys at some level, but depending upon who is playing there might be other emotions involved. How do you feel watching your friends play? Is it different if they’re doing great versus if they’re having a bad night? Paul and Dave talk candidly about these things… it’s not always easy for us musicians to watch other folks...

San Francisco Bay Area musician Steve Siacotos has been cultivating scenes and perfecting his craft while catering to audiences for decades. In addition to learning some of Steve’s favorite “aha!” tunes, you can hear the context around some great quotes like, “the audience is as important to the music as the band is,” “be friendly to other musicians,” and...