Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Dave Hamilton and Paul Kent start by exploring the delicate balance between maintaining a song’s recorded tempo while injecting additional energy into live performances. They argue that speeding up a tune can give it an edge and serve as a potent device to amplify its vitality, as long as the decision is intentional and not a product of lost control. This allows the band to keep the adrenali...

In this week’s Gig Gab, Paul Kent and Dave Hamilton discuss the highs and lows of recent gigs, emphasizing the importance of delivering top-notch performances. They recount a canceled gig due to rain, revealing the strict cancellation policy that left them unpaid, despite perfect weather. Another Saturday gig faced multiple challenges, including a last-minute replacement bass player due to a...

In this week’s Gig Gab podcast, hosts Paul Kent and Dave Hamilton delve into the intricacies of leading a band and securing lucrative gigs. The dynamic duo underscore the necessity for unified band goals and shared values, defying the notion that leadership rests solely on the shoulders of the band leader. They stress the importance of effective communication to maintain a harmonious group d...

In this Gig Gab episode Dave & Paul discuss their recent gigs and the differences in sound quality from stage-to-stage. They then touch on the importance of communication and awareness among band members while performing. Your two favorite weekend warriors delve into the dynamics of being a musician in different areas and the struggle for fair compensation. Plus, they announce an upcoming inte...

In this week’s show, Dave and Paul welcome Billy Butler, a multi-instrumentalist who plays a variety of instruments including the piano, guitar, and cello. Oh, and Billy is Dave’s bandmate in Bitter Pill, too! Your three favorite weekend warriors dive right in, sharing insights on the process of memorizing music and lyrics, emphasizing the role of repetition, muscle memory, and physica...

Your two favorite weekend warriors did DEEP this week, both into the past and into the philosophical. Listen as Paul and Dave chat through recent gigs — and those from long ago, including some history on Bitter Pill and Dave’s tour with Hypnotic Clambake. Gear gab is more about how you use the gear than it is the gear itself, but both iPads and mixers make appearances throughout. And then it...

How much weight do you assign to the enjoyment factor when deciding whether or not to take — and how much to charge for — a gig you’re offered? One of Paul’s bands has been leveraging this, and one of his bandmates has an amazing quote about it that you’re going to want to hear! Listen as Dave and Paul dig into pristine rehearsal sound, in-ear management, the importance of playin...

In this week’s episode, Dave and Paul dive deep into the challenges musicians face when putting a substitute musician on stage, delving into the nuances of finding a reliable sub for extended periods.. The hosts also explore the concept of truly “knowing” a song, highlighting the dedication and depth of understanding required to deliver a truly exceptional performance. Respect in...

In this episode, Dave and Paul explore a diverse range of topics, from loud crowds to reminiscing about the COVID era. They also delve into the fascinating realm of band dynamics and take an exclusive peek behind the scenes of Natalie Merchant’s current tour. Additionally, discover some exceptional gear recommendations that can enhance your musical journey. So, let’s dive into Gig Gab&...

Welcome to the Gig Gab podcast, hosted by Dave Hamilton and Paul Kent. In this episode, they discuss vocal warm-ups, email marketing, and microphone reviews. Let’s dive into the details. Vocal Warm-Ups At the beginning of the podcast, Dave and Paul talk about the importance of vocal warm-ups before a performance. Paul recommends the straw training technique, which uses negative air pressure...

The NAMM conference is the ultimate destination for music enthusiasts and professionals alike. In this week’s episode of GigGab Podcast, hosts Dave Hamilton and Paul Kent are joined by guest Dan East to discuss his recent experience at NAMM 2023. The hosts begin the show by acknowledging that NAMM is simply NAMM, and yet, it always manages to bring a sense of excitement and anticipation. The...

When was the last time you just hung out as a band? When bands are touring, this happens all the time. Wedding bands often find themselves spending more time hanging out than playing, just because of the way the schedules often work at those kinds of events. But most bands will get together to rehearse and play gigs…what about spending some downtime together? Listen as Dave and Paul talk abo...

Welcome back, Gig Gab listeners! In this week’s episode, your two favorite weekend warriors, Dave Hamilton and Paul Kent, dive into a musical journey that spans centuries and explores the exciting innovations shaping the future of the music industry. Happy 400th Birthday, Zildjian! We kick off the episode by celebrating a monumental milestone: Zildjian’s 400th birthday. The company, re...

Have you ever wondered why the stage holds such a special place in the hearts of musicians? Join two of the most passionate weekend warriors around as they delve into this topic and explore ways to protect this hallowed ground. But that’s not all! Dave found himself in a sticky ethical situation recently, and he and Paul share their thoughts on the best way to handle these kinds of challenge...

What do you do to ensure you’re always able to entertain an audience? Performing is great, but entertaining is the goal. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk through this from a few different angles, both as performers and as audience members. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about the songs you select! Then Dave shares a few aspects of his recent SXSW experience with Paul and...

Sometimes Paul says, “Always Be Performing.” Ok, he always says that. This time, though, Paul says, “Raise Your Damned Prices!” As working musicians, we need to figure out how to raise our baseline pay. Sure, some of us have figured it out for our specific gigs, and obviously the touring industry has figured it out. But the club gigs are still paying what they used to pay a...

Last episode, your two favorite weekend warriors talked about the bliss that is a good monitor mix. This time, they might have stumbled upon a secret to repeating that! Listen as Paul Kent and Dave Hamilton talk through not just monitor mixes, but song choices, musical evolution, Ticketmaster, and much more. Press play and, hey, remember? Leave that gain alone, yes, but also…Always Be Perfor...

How much leverage does your band have? Do you check your Messenger? Does your band reserve dates months in advance? More importantly, how are these questions related? Well, your two favorite weekend warriors cover all three of them this week on Gig Gab! Listen as Paul and Dave share their thoughts about gigs, rehearsals, cancelations, fill-ins, and quitting band members that have all happened in t...

Of course you’ve had to cancel gigs, and of course you’ve had gigs canceled. But did you feel the same about each of those scenarios? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their feelings on cancellations, and how they affect reputations, in general. Dave had a last-minute gig come up, which led to a rehearsal, which led to a 3-hour drive where he listened to all three of Fling’s E...

There’s no greater compliment for a musician than having someone catch the subtle things that happen on stage, and the bartender at The Midway Cafe caught all that and more this weekend. Listen as Dave shares his tales about the gig, and yes, that includes the follow-up to Gig Gab 371’s shared backline saga. That’s not all, though… Paul and Dave talk about vanity cover band...

How competitive are you when it comes to booking gigs? When another band gets a gig you want (or used to have), how does that land for you? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their thoughts on this. Traveling around the country (and the world) as your two favorite weekend warriors recently have, it’s interesting to notice how music is different — and the same — everywhere else. Ain’t...

If you could go back in time and give advice to your band, what would it be? Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk through a lot of your thoughts and answers to this question, and they share some of their own, too. But first, Dave saw a band (Def Leppard!) and a movie (If These Walls Could Sing) and he and Paul talk through some of the lessons—and trivia tidbits—learned from both of th...

It’s winter…how is your band’s momentum doing? Are you making yourself seem active even if you aren’t? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through this concept and share some ideas they have about keeping your band active even if you aren’t playing quite as many gigs as usual. Then your two favorite weekend warriors dissect the different rehearsal styles of different bands....

How do you figure out what each harmony line (or guitar line, or drum part) is in songs you’re learning? Listen as Paul and Dave share their processes — and a new app! — for doing exactly this. First, though, your two favorite weekend warriors go through their recent gigs — and cancelations — and discuss how they deal with all of life’s unexpected twists and turns. And then it’s...

“If you’re going to do something that affects other people, be a good dude and talk to them about it.” These wise words from Paul Kent shape today’s discussion. Listen as he and Dave talk through various forms of musician etiquette, both on-stage and off. Plus, some tips about both promoting your band AND protecting yourself against clubs with crappy Wi-Fi scenarios. Press...