Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Perfect Your Harmonies and Elevate Your Band's Sound | 02 Sep 2024 | 01:07:14 | |
This week on Gig Gab, guest co-host Daniel East joins Dave Hamilton for a deep dive into the art of harmonies and the essentials of live sound. You’ll discover how to add harmonies to your band by honing in on the timbre of each singer and experimenting in real-time with just a guitar or piano. Whether you’re aiming for the Eagles’ perfection in a gymnasium or channeling the Bee Gees on a couch, nailing harmonies means knowing when to start and stop, as well as understanding if your lead singer naturally veers sharp or flat. Always Be Performing by ensuring your harmonies elevate the lead, not overshadow it. When it comes to miking and mixing drums in small to medium clubs, balance is key. Start with a well-balanced stage sound and tweak from there—pulling out some midrange from the toms can prevent them from overpowering the mix. The gear talk doesn’t stop there; from the Stage Ninja MIC-12-CB Gooseneck Mic Clamp to the Yamaha TF-Rack, and even the Zoom H1 XLR Portable Digital Recorder, Dave and Dan cover the tools that keep your setup sharp. Whether you’re fine-tuning your instruments or your sound, remember: Always Be Performing.
The post How to Perfect Your Harmonies and Elevate Your Band’s Sound — Gig Gab 445 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| How Music Heals: Daniel Levitin on the Neuroscience of Sound | 26 Aug 2024 | 00:52:46 | |
Dive into the world of music and neuroscience with Daniel Levitin on this week’s Gig Gab! Join him and Dave Hamilton as they unpack Dan’s upcoming book, “I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine”, releasing August 27th. Discover the intricacies of the Default Mode Network, and how music impacts everything from opioid release to temporary cognitive effects. Uncover the neurological roots of our musical preferences, balancing expectation with surprise, and hear Dan’s insights on the fascinating “Levitin Effect” where we inherently remember songs in their correct key. As they chat, you’ll hear stories of Dan playing with legends like Victor Wooten and Bobby McFerrin, and insights on grabbing gigs through connections, like the time David Byrne invited him to play Brian Eno’s guitar parts. From the festival stages of Helsinki to intimate venues in Los Angeles, Dan’s musical journey is a testament to the show’s catchphrase, “Always Be Performing.” Tune in for a masterclass in blending science and music, and get inspired to keep performing no matter where your musical path takes you.
The post How Music Heals: Daniel Levitin on the Neuroscience of Sound — Gig Gab 444 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Staying Awake with Music, Mixers, and Motivation | 24 Jun 2024 | 01:06:18 | |
Dive into Gig Gab 435 where Dave Hamilton teams up with guest co-host Adam Johnson from Cover Band Confidential for an electrifying episode. They kick things off with recent gig adventures, including the thrill of corporate live band karaoke and the indispensable value of rehearsals when subbing. Adam and Dave share insights on transitioning from analog to digital mixers, highlighting gear like Behringer XR and Mackie DL-series, and emphasizing the benefits of built-in compressors and parametric EQs for your weekend warrior band. As always, remember to “Always Be Performing.” The conversation doesn’t stop there. Adam introduces his B.A.N.D. system, a treasure trove of inspiration to keep you moving forward without fear of failure. They explore the allure of new gear like baritone guitars and share tips for staying awake on long drives home from gigs, with sunflower seeds and Diet Mountain Dew as trusty companions. The episode wraps up with shoutouts to must-listen podcasts like Disgraceland, Strong Songs, and Adam’s Cover Band Confidential. Don’t miss this jam-packed session—share the show and keep the performance spirit alive!
The post Staying Awake with Music, Mixers, and Motivation — Gig Gab 435 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Mixing From The Stage | 09 May 2022 | 00:59:08 | |
How do you approach mixing your band from the stage when there is no FOH sound engineer? It’s Q&A time with Paul and Dave. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors share their thoughts on putting together the right stage setup to get a good mix for your audiences…every time. That’s not all though! A recent experience leads to a conversation about venue staff and how they can significantly influence the flow of the night…and whether or not your audience wants to return! Press play and enjoy all of this, and remember: Always Be Performing!
The post Mixing From The Stage — Gig Gab 345 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| The Rehearsal-Less Band | 02 May 2022 | 00:46:28 | |
How often does your band rehearse? Would you consider yourselves a “rehearsing” band, or a “rehearsal-less” band? Either way, what are the costs of that on your band’s show? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their experiences with both sides of this…and then listen as Gear Gab accidentally creeps into an answer to a question. Your two favorite weekend warriors talk through all KINDS of gear related to a speaker-free stage. Press play and enjoy, and remember…Always Be Performing!
The post The Rehearsal-Less Band — Gig Gab 344 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Navigating The Resurgence | 25 Apr 2022 | 00:50:24 | |
As the world of live music sees more and more of a resurgence, what are the important things to consider? Listen as Paul and Dave chat through things like managing your health, negotiating your way with sound engineers, navigating the contract process, and preserving your worth as an Entertainer. Press play and enjoy…and then send in your thoughts: feedback@giggabpodcast.com
The post Navigating The Resurgence – Gig Gab 343 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Managing Your Musical Calendar | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:44:29 | |
Keeping everyone on the same page in your band can be a trick, and Paul shares the method he used for his band this year, managing and then meeting those expectations so everyone could plan their lives. That’s not the only thing he and Dave discussed this week, though! Setlists are again a topic, this time from the angle of whether or not you should use the same one gig-after-gig. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors share their thoughts and then send in a comment with your own. How do you manage your bandmates’ schedules? How do you manage your setlist? Let us know at feedback@giggabpodcast.com, and remember, Always Be Performing!
The post Managing Your Musical Calendar — Gig Gab 342 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Watch Him As He Goes... | 28 Mar 2022 | 01:05:59 | |
With a week off and SXSW happening in between, Paul and Dave have lots to talk about today, including the sad news of the passing of Taylor Hawkins. Dave saw some more great bands and music-related movies at SXSW, and he shares a few of his highlights, including how your band might be able to leverage the Blockchain for yourselves and your fans. On top of that, your two favorite weekend warriors discuss the competitive nature of being in the business of being in a band, and how they each approach it a little differently. Press play, and always be performing.
The post Watch Him As He Goes… — Gig Gab 341 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| SXSW, Movies, & Knowing Your Audience | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:49:24 | |
Paul’s got an idea about audience fatigue, Dave’s attending SXSW (remotely today, then in-person tomorrow), and there are some new music documentaries coming out. This is the hodge-podge upon which this week’s Gig Gab is built. Of course, your two favorite weekend warriors played some gigs from which they must debrief, and that’s what Gig Gab is all about. Press play, and always be performing!
The post SXSW 2022, Movies, & Knowing Your Audience — Gig Gab 340 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| The Care and Feeding of Your Band | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:47:40 | |
Sure, we rehearse, we practice (there’s a difference!), we craft setlists, and we gig…but what do you do to take care of your band as a unit? Paul asks Dave this pointed question and launches your two favorite weekend warriors into a discussion which digs deep into what it takes to make a band. Dave had some interesting “friction points” at his gig on Saturday night, and shares a few of them here with everyone, and Paul talks about the success of his 100%-of-the-door gig, too, asking yet another pointed question, this time of all of you. Listen, press play, email feedback@giggabpodast.com with your answers, and yes, always be performing!
The post The Care and Feeding of Your Band — Gig Gab 339 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Mailbag Time! | 21 Feb 2022 | 00:44:40 | |
Y’all filled up the mailbag, so Paul and Dave dig in and share your thoughts, questions, reactions, and more! Topics include mics to record gigs, covering rap songs, and managing your reputation. Join in the conversation with your two favorite weekend warriors and let’s have some fun together. And remember: Always Be Performing!
The post Mailbag Time! — Gig Gab 338 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Open Your Heart to Music | 14 Feb 2022 | 00:42:18 | |
Join Paul and Dave as they share Valentine’s Day together, Gig Gab-style! They talk about some gear they’re loving (and some they aren’t), some music they’re loving (there’s nothing they aren’t), and the bands they love, too… and your two favorite weekend warriors also dive into the value of opening your heart and not being too jaded about your musical endeavors, even if history might suggest otherwise!
The post Open Your Heart to Music — Gig Gab 337 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Managing Multiple Projects | 07 Feb 2022 | 00:45:53 | |
It seems almost everyone is involved in multiple musical projects these days, and there’s a lot of good which can result from that. It can also create some headaches, both logistical and emotional. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their experiences with all of this, including sharing a service created by one of your fellow listeners that helps to solve this…at least the logistical part! That’s not all, though. Your two favorite weekend warriors share some stories about gigs this weekend, including one about having difficulty holding drumsticks. You’ll have to listen to figure out which of the guys was plagued by that! And, discussing new gear… Dave finally got to test out that new Mackie DL32S he’s been sitting on during a Covid winter. Press play and enjoy, folks! And always be performing!
The post Managing Multiple Projects — Gig Gab 336 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| The Band to Business Evolution with Crisco | 17 Jun 2024 | 00:54:31 | |
In this week’s Gig Gab podcast, Dave Hamilton teams up with guest co-host Crisco to dive into the dynamic world of keeping a band on the road. They kick things off with some fun banter about “Take Your Cat To Work Day” before jumping into the nitty-gritty of band management. From the chaos of uncoordinated coordination to the crucial role of spreadsheets, they explore the transition from musician to manager. You’ll get practical tips like taking contract screenshots for those times when you’re off the grid and gain insights into making music in the ever-evolving post-pandemic scene. As the discussion heats up, they talk about tools like Artist Growth Workspace and Master Tour that streamline the touring process. Discover how bands like Bella’s Bartok and Mama’s Marmalade navigate their journeys from band to business, and how adding live drums can transform a band’s sound, as seen with Bitter Pill. Live music is more than just sound—it’s a visual art, and your best role might be yet to be discovered. With anecdotes from playing three bands in one night to must-listen recommendations like the Strong Songs Podcast and Questlove Supreme, you’ll leave inspired to Always Be Performing.
The post The Band to Business Evolution with Crisco — Gig Gab 434 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Always Be Insuring...and Collaborating | 01 Feb 2022 | 00:58:12 | |
It’s another jam session, folks, this one with themes of collaboration, limberness, and insurance. Some Gear Gab enters the fold, too, along with a cool new service for collaborating with other folks recording in their homes! Listen as Paul and Dave, your two favorite weekend warriors, talk you through all this and more. Press play and… always be performing, too!
The post Always Be Insuring…and Collaborating — Gig Gab 335 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Getting Past "Good Enough" | 24 Jan 2022 | 00:56:06 | |
As musicians — as humans — we’re constantly choosing our balance point between perfection and production. Paul and Dave dig into that today with regards to being “gig ready” with songs and your show. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors share their tips and tricks for getting over the “good enough” hump in efficient ways. That’s not all, though! Topics evolve into discussing pricing and negotiating with club owners in ways that are mutually beneficial for all involved… true partnerships. After all, the goal is to always be performing, right?
The post Getting Past “Good Enough” — Gig Gab 334 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Viva La Sum Of Your Band's Parts | 17 Jan 2022 | 00:43:18 | |
Is your band special? A better question: do you know what it is that makes your band special? Does everyone in your band know? These are important questions to answer, and your two favorite weekend warriors discuss in this week’s episode. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through each of their scenarios and how and why it all works. That, plus a Covid update because, hey, why not? Press play, enjoy, and always be performing!
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| Embracing and Tweaking Your Sales Process | 10 Jan 2022 | 00:45:28 | |
Haha, yeah, we know “sales process” isn’t a sexy term, but the gigs that result from it sure are! And if you don’t have a sales process, well, perhaps your two favorite weekend warriors can help you begin to create one. Listen as Paul and Dave share some things they’ve learned in their lives as musicians and elsewhere…and always be performing!
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| Evolving Your Band | 03 Jan 2022 | 00:50:19 | |
The rollover of the calendar is often a time where folks take stock of where they are and where they’re going. This year’s pull-back on gigs opens that opportunity up even more, and your two favorite weekend warriors talk through what it means to evolve your band. Listen as Paul and Dave talk about the direction of their various musical projects, and where things are going for them. Song choices, indoor gigs, children of drummers, and more round out this episode. Press play and please remember: always be performing! 00:00:00 Gig Gab 331 – Monday, January 3, 2022 The post Evolving Your Band – Gig Gab 331 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| The Perspective of a Year | 28 Dec 2021 | 00:38:10 | |
Your two favorite weekend warriors slip one last episode in before the ball drops to share their thoughts about gigs, the New Year, recordings, album releases, nazis, bass players, and pick-up gigs. Yep, you read that right. But you’ll have to listen to learn more. Press play and Always Be Performing with Paul and Dave! Oh, and happy new year, too!
The post The Perspective of a Year — Gig Gab 330 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Of Clicks and Cliques | 13 Dec 2021 | 00:51:28 | |
As musicians we need to learn how to play with clicks and cliques! Metronomes are super-helpful, especially in the studio, and even to help get your live playing together. Cliques of people, well, can be a double-edged sword, can’t they? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their uses of (and feelings about!) each of these things. Press play and Always your two favorite weekend warriors!
The post Of Clicks and Cliques – Gig Gab 329 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Musical Mind Melding | 06 Dec 2021 | 00:55:42 | |
One of the best parts about music is the non-verbal communication of it all. But there’s more mind-melding than just that, isn’t there? How about when you find yourself in lockstep with your band, with the groove, with the direction, with the harmonies, with the desires? Music can really make things magical, and your two favorite weekend warriors share stories this week that highlight this in at least three different ways. Listen as Paul tells of his five-gig road-trip weekend, Dave shares his experience in the studio with Bitter Pill, and you hear about the successful evolution of The Houserockers. Press play and enjoy… oh, and Always Be Performing!
The post Musical Mind Melding — Gig Gab 328 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Songwriting, The Beatles, and You | 30 Nov 2021 | 00:53:42 | |
Have you ever written a song? Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk through the songwriting process, including the inspiration for getting involved in that scene in your local area. Of course, The Beatles are part of this conversation, especially with the peek into their songwriting process that the new Get Back movie gives us all. Listen as Paul and Dave share their own “What got me into The Beatles?” stories, too. Press play, and always be performing!
The post Songwriting, The Beatles, and You – Gig Gab Podcast 327 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Slowing Down The Music | 15 Nov 2021 | 00:51:15 | |
Sometimes you slow down the music, and sometimes the music slows down. Listen as Paul and Dave muse upon both tempos and gig frequency, especially as we head into the colder, slower months here. How does your band manage tempo on stage? How does your band plan to manage the winter lull? Your two favorite weekend warriors talk through how they do this in their bands and invite you to do the same! Press play, send email to feedback@giggabpodcast.com…and always be performing!
The post Slowing Down The Music — Gig Gab 326 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| From Sit-In to Album Release: Heather Smith's Musical Journey | 10 Jun 2024 | 00:41:28 | |
In this episode of Gig Gab, Dave Hamilton is joined by Heather Smith and Paul Giovine, diving into the serendipity of musical connections. Heather shares how a chance meeting led to her cautiously getting on stage for the first time when Dave played with Simon Santiago five years ago. Last month, Heather released an record of her original tunes! From her first time on stage with a band to releasing her own album, Heather’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence. She recounts how a Craigslist ad for a bass player unexpectedly turned her into a backup singer and then eventually into a lead singer…as a sub at first! Heather also reveals the struggle of starting her own band, Glitter & Camo, and the internal battle of convincing herself not to give up. Heather, Paul, and Dave discuss the evolution of EPs and the importance of taking small, manageable steps to handle uncomfortable situations. They emphasize the idea that success often finds you when you least expect it, rather than the other way around. The episode highlights practical tips for cueing a band and the dynamics of playing covers in an original band. Throughout, the message is clear: Always Be Performing, and don’t let self-doubt hold you back from your musical ambitions. Cover image from 2019, when Dave, Simon, and Heather played together (Heather’s first time on stage!)
The post From Sit-In to Album Release: Heather Smith’s Musical Journey — Gig Gab 433 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Musical Work Ethic | 08 Nov 2021 | 00:53:01 | |
How would you rate your musical work ethic? How about your band’s? Are you all in sync? Listen as Paul and Dave tackle this question and more within the framework of their current projects…and some past ones! If there ever was an episode which epitomized your two favorite weekend warriors catch-phrase of “Always Be Performing”, this is it!
The post Musical Work Ethic — Gig Gab 325 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Dissecting Difficult Music | 01 Nov 2021 | 00:50:43 | |
How does your band approach rehearsing difficult music? We all know the difference between practice and rehearsal, but some rehearsal is (way) harder than others. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their thoughts — and examples — of getting through the tough stuff. That’s not all, though! Conversations around bookings, rate negotiations, and snare sounds abound. Press play and always be performing!
The post Dissecting Difficult Music — Gig Gab 324 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Always Be Performing…Uniquely | 26 Oct 2021 | 00:41:12 | |
Recent years have brought about opportunities for reinvention in a lot of ways, including musical! Have you done anything different since you’ve been able to get back out there and start playing? Listen as Paul and Dave answer that question this week. Then listen as your two favorite weekend warriors evolve that into a conversation about differentiating our projects for our audiences… and ourselves!
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| Focus and Discipline | 19 Oct 2021 | 00:47:54 | |
Productivity is often the result of well-applied focus and discipline. How do you make this work for your band? And… what about a lack of either or both of those? Listen as Paul and Dave talk about — and show a shining example of — both of these things (or is it a lack thereof?!?). On top of that discussions ensue about refreshing your song list, the Velvet Underground, tribute bands, and your two favorite weekend warriors favorite Beatles songs! Press play and always be performing!
The post Focus and Discipline — Gig Gab 322 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Band Leadership Styles | 04 Oct 2021 | 00:46:48 | |
Much has been said over the years about keeping a band together, and this week your two favorite weekend warriors say even more. Is it helpful? Only you can decide! That’s not all, though, Dave played two gigs this weekend with some significant anomalies, and he talks through making this all work. Paul played a wedding and talks about the (broken?) flow of these things. All this and more on Gig Gab, folks. Press play and remember…always be performing!
The post Band Leadership Styles — Gig Gab 321 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Gear Gab, Rehearsal Structure, and More | 27 Sep 2021 | 00:52:44 | |
When your band rehearses, what’s the expectation of everyone coming in? Is there a minimum bar to hit, or a high bar to beat? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their experiences with band rehearsals over the years. But that’s not all… Gear Gab is never far away, and this week we talk microphones and pick-up patterns and monitors and more. Make sure you choose the right mic for you, and make sure you understand its pick-up pattern so you know where to place monitor wedges and other instruments. Lastly, your two favorite weekend warriors have been navigating around Covid just like everyone else, and it turns out that “everyone else” also includes A-level touring acts… some of whom are having trouble this fall. Listen to some anecdotes gleaned from some of the top touring artists about what they’re doing and how it’s working. Press play and please remember: Always Be Performing!
The post Gear Gab, Rehearsal Structure, and More — Gig Gab 320 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Turning Up Your Band's Efficiency | 21 Sep 2021 | 00:55:47 | |
Today your two favorite weekend warriors turn their attention to efficiency and how you can make your band’s setup process happen faster, and with more consistent results. Paul had a recent gig which highlighted this for him, but I’m sure we’ve all been there, right? Do you remember? Ba Dee Ya. Then it’s on to how to approach replacing a long-time member of your band. Dave’s going through it with Fling, Paul’s going through it with The Houserockers, and they’re not alone. What’s that thing we say at the end of each episode? Do you remember? Ba Dee Ya. Also, Always Be Performing!
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| What is a Successful Gig? | 13 Sep 2021 | 00:49:53 | |
While you’re playing…how do you define success? Is it seeing people dancing? singing? paying you money? What are the metrics you use? Hear your two favorite weekend warriors share some of their own success stories from this weekend’s gigs. Then it’s time to talk about a few logistical issues with gigging… getting setup, balancing your monitors (in-ears!), getting in touch with bandmates last-minute, and more. Plus, a few gear tips for drummers. All this and more when you press play with Paul Kent and Dave Hamilton. Remember: Always be performing!
The post What is a Successful Gig? — Gig Gab 318 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Do You Instruct Your Audience? | 06 Sep 2021 | 00:59:00 | |
Do you ever instruct your audience on how to enjoy your music? Do you instruct them to do anything else? The reality is that we all instruct our audiences in some ways, but the question is… how do we do it? Listen to Paul and Dave discuss a few scenarios, including whether or not to require your audience be vaccinated. That’s not all, though! Listener questions drive the bus, including one about a departing band member. And, of course, your two favorite weekend warriors share a few thoughts about the late Charlie Watts. Press play and enjoy!
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| Your Band Needs a Brown M&M Clause | 23 Aug 2021 | 00:47:41 | |
Working with different sound teams can always be a struggle, even when they’re the best in the business. How do you communicate with them? How do you know they’re listening? How do you convey your point without being annoying? These are just some of the questions that come up as Paul and Dave talk through their more recent gigs. Then it’s on to setups and getting your band — and your individual instruments — to sound good in the rooms you play. How much thought are you putting into that, and how are you addressing it on the fly? All this and more here on Gig Gab… press play and, don’t forget: Always Be Performing!
The post Your Band Needs a Brown M&M Clause — Gig Gab 316 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Cleaning Up Your In-Ears Mix...And Your Ears | 03 Jun 2024 | 01:14:50 | |
In this week’s Gig Gab, with guest cohost Daniel East returning to join Dave Hamilton, you dive into the essentials of managing your hearing and gear during and after gigs. Amanda’s question about affordable in-ear monitors (IEMs) leads to recommendations including the Sennheiser IE100 Pro and Juicy Earz, highlighting the importance of investing in quality gear without breaking the bank. Remember, the goal is to “Always Be Performing” at your best, and that includes protecting your most valuable asset – your hearing. The discussion then moves to the finer points of creating the perfect IEM mix. They emphasize starting from zero, building your levels up gradually, and ensuring no two instruments occupy the same stereo space. Trust both your ears and eyes when adjusting your mix, and keep it simple by taking as little as possible from the main mix. Wrapping up, they provide practical tips on ear care, such as using ear bulb syringes and avoiding ear candling. Stay sharp, stay safe, and keep performing at your peak!
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| What's Your Band's Image? | 16 Aug 2021 | 00:55:35 | |
Have you ever stopped to think about how “the crowd” perceives your band’s image vs. how you perceive yourselves? It’s an interesting exercise, and sometimes it’s thrust upon you. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their experiences with this. Dave had to dig into the backup-bin while his IEMs were in the shop, and had an interesting revelation about just what can work for a gig! And Paul had an all-too-familiar experience with a club trying to add live music to their “talent stack”, with mixed results. Listen for the warning signs, folks! Oh, and always be performing, too!
The post What’s Your Band’s Image? – Gig Gab 315 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Jan Hammer Talks Mahavishnu, Emerson, Hendrix, Jaco … and Getting the JuJu Happening! — Gig Gab 68 Redux | 09 Aug 2021 | 00:46:12 | |
Let’s go back five years together, shall we? Gig Gab was just a year old, and we all were just finding our footing here together. We had the pleasure of having Jan Hammer join us for a conversation in Gig Gab 68, and with both Paul and Dave out for a two week stretch, we figured this was a perfect time to revisit that interview, certainly our most downloaded episode ever. From his start in Prague, the stories flow, including tales about Jan’s experiences with Jeff Beck, Keith Emerson, Jaco Pastorius, Neal Schon, Mahavishnu Orchestra and even Jimi Hendrix. As we wrote in the show notes five years ago: there’s so much packed into these 43 minutes you’ll probably want to listen twice. For some of you, we’ve made that second listening even easier today! Enjoy! This episode has no official sponsors, but we wanted to remind you of our two active deals. The Ultimate Ears one expires this week!
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| Firing On All Musical Cylinders | 27 Jul 2021 | 00:56:11 | |
One of the reasons we all take the stage is in search of those moments where the band is just firing on all cylinders and the energy is flowing perfectly. At least that’s what Paul tells Dave this week, and Dave agrees! Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk about the components of a “perfect” gig, then listen as they explore topics of theater as it relates to rock-and-roll, getting the whole band on in-ears, and two new shows you need to watch. All this and more, and the only price of admission? Always Be Performing!
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| People Behaving Like People | 19 Jul 2021 | 00:44:47 | |
Being a performer often means you get to be an invisible spectator… of the crowd who is watching you! Listen as Paul and Dave share some stories (new and old!) about what they’ve watched people do from the Working Musicians’ side of the fourth wall. Then it’s time to negotiate. How do you ask for money? How do you know why someone said, “no”? Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors share their trials, tribulations, and advice. And remember: Always Be Performing!
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| The Ever-Elusive "Great Sound" | 12 Jul 2021 | 00:24:42 | |
There’s always at least a bit of a gamble in taking the stage. More often it comes up pretty standard, sometimes you get the Stage of Dread, but occasionally … every now and then … things are just perfect. Despite being a country apart, your two favorite weekend warriors each experienced that perfect stage with great sound this weekend, and they share their stories. That’s not all, though, listen as Paul and Dave talk through Dave’s magic word: Costume. Listen and then send in your thoughts to feedback@giggabpodcast.com All that and more… press play, and always be performing.
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| More Microphones Than Cents | 07 Jul 2021 | 00:48:20 | |
Your favorite weekend warriors had a revelation: It’s easy to have a lot of microphones! Listen as Paul and Dave answer your questions about gear, including in-ears, mixers, and PA speakers (the microphones were their idea!). Also on the docket: the sacred space that is band rehearsal. Listen, learn, and enjoy. Oh, and send in your feedback, too! feedback@giggabpodcast.com is where you wanna be…and where we want you to be. Always Be Performing!
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| Bands and Connections | 30 Jun 2021 | 00:47:44 | |
Music connects us all, but how do you define the connection between you and your audience? You and your bandmates? Listen as Paul and Dave discuss, dissect, and even debate a few aspects of all this. Press play, enjoy, and please remember: always be performing!
The post Bands and Connections – Gig Gab 310 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Chasing The Perfect Gig | 22 Jun 2021 | 00:46:37 | |
What’s the definition of the perfect gig? Would you know it if you played it? If so, how will that impact the next gig? Listen as Dave and Paul talk through their recent performances and relate them to what the future will look like. Just remember, folks, even when you’re making it up as you go, you can still always be performing!
The post Chasing The Perfect Gig — Gig Gab 309 appeared first on Gig Gab. | |||
| Savor The Moment | 16 Jun 2021 | 00:54:45 | |
Remember all the great gigs you’ve played? Guess what… your next gig could be one of those! Your favorite weekend warriors talk about creating those new memories by fueling your tank with the old ones. Dave watched “What Drives Us”, Paul saw Springsteen in the Killers’ new video, they’ve both been experimenting with Facebook to promote things, and they share their stories, successes, failures, and thoughts. Plus a new piece of gear is on the scene! Press play to hear it all…and remember, always be performing. You might just be playing your next favorite gig!
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| Basement Shows and New Faces | 08 Jun 2021 | 00:47:29 | |
Gigs are coming back, for sure, but as what? Has your scene changed as a result of the pandemic reset? Are the same bands still out there doing there thing? Are new bands emerging? Listen as Paul and Dave talk through all this and more. Plus, Dave played a basement gig and Paul’s considering songwriting. Press play, enjoy, and always be performing!
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| Gems, Gear, & Gigs! | 27 May 2024 | 01:01:04 | |
Welcome to another exciting episode of Gig Gab! This week, Dave Hamilton dives into the whirlwind of recent and upcoming gigs, tackling six gigs with five different bands in June alone. He also discusses the challenges of playing a gig without in-ear monitors and the invaluable lessons from recent guests. From Robert Scovill’s advice on delaying mains in any size room to Mike Schulte’s insights on using a splitter snake for easier setups, and Chris Breen’s reminder to read the stage as well as the room, there’s plenty to learn. Remember, “Always Be Performing” as you take these tips to your own gigs. In the Gear Gab segment, Dave highlights the Earthworks SR117 microphone and explores the latest tools of the trade, including Adam’s suggestion to use Suno’s AI for creating theme songs for your band. Dave also shares how you can use Spotify URLs to enhance your playlists when prepping for gigs. Listener Mike shares one his recent favorite podcasts, Strong Songs’ “Limb By Limb” episode for nerding out on song dissections. As always, Dave is eager for your feedback about the show and what projects you’re involved in. Keep innovating, and never forget to “Always Be Good to Hang With!”
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| Inexpensive Gear, In-Ear Tricks, and a little Frank! | 01 Jun 2021 | 00:44:42 | |
When can you buy off-brand gear and still get the quality you need without breaking the bank? Paul and Dave talk about a few experiments they’ve recently performed and their results with not-the-name-brand stuff. Paul added a little Frank to his set recently, and it opens up a conversation about how to approach collaboration, in general. As Paul says, “a band is an exercise in compromise.” Lastly, Dave’s played a few gigs recently which have expanded his thinking about approaching your in-ear monitor mix, and he shares those tips with Paul and all of you. Have your own tips? Share ’em with your two favorite weekend warriors at feedback@giggabpodcast.com and they’ll read ’em on the next episode!
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| Brian Geller from The Atomic Punks and Ultimate Ears: In-Ear Monitors, Tribute Bands, and More! | 24 May 2021 | 01:00:28 | |
Brian Geller, singer with Van Halen tribute The Atomic Punks (oh, and with a day job at Ultimate Ears) joins the show today to talk in-ears, tribute bands, and oh so much more. Listen as Brian shares his tips with Paul and Dave about getting a good in-ear mix, selecting the right in-ears, how to keep your voice strong throughout a gig and more. Your three favorite weekend warriors really have a lot to say this week, and Brian leads the charge. Press play, and don’t forget: Always Be Performing!
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| What is a Wedding Band? | 20 May 2021 | 00:48:45 | |
What is a Wedding Band? While there are many answers to this question, there is one which takes precedence over all others. Do you know which that is? Listen as Paul and Dave chat through this interesting topic, including hearing them share a lot of your thoughts about the transition from club band to wedding band. In addition, of course, your two favorite weekend warriors love gear, and they’ve got some ideas to share with y’all about that, too! Press play…and always be performing!
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