Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

When someone in your band says, “I’ve got this,” on stage or before a gig, what exactly does that mean? And can you trust that they’re actually prepared? What happens when YOU say it? Does it really mean you’ve got it, or are you sometimes just leading yourself to believe you’ve prepared enough when you haven’t? What are your trouble spots and how do you w...

This week Paul and Dave start with a discussion about promotion — how much falls on you with your band and how much falls on the venue? Then it’s on to managing sound at a gig, including a few pro-tips from your Weekend Warriors. Paul then surprises Dave with a pop-quiz about Memorial Day-themed songs. All that, plus a quick wrap-up about Merchandise and its true value to your band. Enjoy! D...

Have you ever taken — or been tempted to take — a non-paying gig? Paul and Dave certainly have and they tell their tales of woe in this week’s episode. Have some thoughts on this subject? Have a set of nineties-era tunes that you think will stand the test of time? Send ’em in to feedback@giggabpodcast.com and your two favorite weekend warriors will share them in a future episode! The p...

What happens if you’re the very best musician in your band? How about if you’re the worst? Paul and Dave talk through these scenarios, and (in their minds, anyway!) they’ve both been in both places. Hear some war stories that help illustrate what works and what doesn’t, too! As always, feedback@giggabpodcast.com is where to send your feedback and stories! The post Of Monste...

This episode is all about practice. How do you practice? What do you practice? Do you have a plan? What’s your plan? How often? And then… what’s the difference between practice and rehearsal? (and do you want to play with musicians that don’t yet know the answer to that question?). All of this and more, discussed by Paul and Dave this week on GigGab. Email feedback@giggabpo...

It took 11 episodes and a weekend chock full of (too many?) gigs to finally get your two working musician podcasters to let their guard down and enter the minefield that is discussing wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends. Whatever the label, it’s probably a bad idea to record this discussion. And then they released it, here for your listening pleasure. Send in your thoughts about this ep...

Your two favorite working musicians throw off their flak jackets and address two of the most opinionated topics possible: guitar tones and band politics. What could go wrong? Turns out, not too much. Paul and Dave navigate through these treacherous waters and dig out the nuggets just for you. Have an opinion of your own? Send it into feedback@giggabpodcast.com and the guys will address it! Stuff M...

Gear is fun, and most musicians spend more time thinking and talking about gear — and money spent paying for gear — than just about anything else related to their hobby. It’s high time your favorite Weekend Warriors dug into this conversation and this week’s episode digs into Dave’s drum gear and then into the mixing consoles that the guys each use for their gigs. Listen up! The...

Every musician goes through the on-stage train wreck at times, and Paul and Dave are no exception. They talk through their train wrecks and, more importantly, how they dealt with them. A great discussion, and one you can contribute to, as well. Send in your stories to feedback@giggabpodcast.com and join in the fun! The post The Trainwreck Discussion – Gig Gab 9 appeared first on Gig Gab .

Paul and Dave start with some listener feedback (their first!) and then it’s time to talk about attaining the perfect stage volume. Always a tough thing to get right, but Paul and Dave do their best to explain their processes and how they  try to get it right each time. It’s an ever-evolving process, for sure! The post The Holy Grail of Stage Volume – Gig Gab 8 appeared first on...

For a working cover band the subject of pay is always a touchy one. Paul and Dave talk through their thoughts and experiences when it comes to ensuring you’re doing the right gigs and getting paid properly. Then it’s on to the matter of subs. Are you sub? Do you want to hire a sub? In the end, how does it affect your band? All this and more! The post Pay Scales and The Subbing Dilemma...

Paul and Dave talk through their weekend gigs, including some tales about what it takes to get a crowd up and moving — and how to keep your head in the right place when that doesn’t happen right away. Then it segues to marketing talk. How do you market your band? Your gigging gabbers talk through how they do it – and what they should do better. The post There’s Always More You Can Do t...

Paul and Dave get together on this crazy Monday night and rehearsals are the topic. How do you rehearse with your band? What do you do to plan rehearsals? How does it all work out? These and other questions are answered. Download and enjoy! The post The Rehearsal Talk – Gig Gab 5 appeared first on Gig Gab .

Paul and Dave dive right into their stride with a discussion about whether or not one should “support live music.” That flows into a discussion about the true job of a working musician, a topic about which the guys have a lot to say! Then it migrates into Views From The Stage, a new (recurring?) segment about things musicians see from that side while playing. Finally it’s all abo...

Our third episode (though probably only our second public one) as we get our feet wet here, talking about what constitutes a great song to pick … and play. The post What Makes a Song Great When You Play It? – Gig Gab 3 appeared first on Gig Gab .

Our second attempt at an episode. I’ll have to update this blog post with its contents when I remember them. The post A First Second Attempt – Gig Gab 2 appeared first on Gig Gab .