Gig Gab - The Working Musicians' 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 […] The post Reading The Red Flags — Gig Gab 391 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Surprise, You’re The Headliner — Gig Gab 390 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Keep The Sound Guy Stocked! — Gig Gab 389 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Attention is Performing – Gig Gab 388 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Billy Butler, Rock and Roll Cellist — Gig Gab 387 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post A Hairless Summer — Gig Gab 386 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Which Gigs are Most Enjoyable? – Gig Gab 385 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post It Doesn’t Work! – Gig Gab 384 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Listen To The Universe (and The Music) — Gig Gab 383 appeared first on 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 […] The post I Want More E-Mail! – Gig Gab 382 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Digging (Into) NAMM 2023 with Guest Dan East — Gig Gab 381 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Sharing The Tea Leaves — Gig Gab 380 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post The Sound of Progress – Gig Gab 379 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Ethical Gymnastics – Gig Gab 378 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Always Be Entertaining — Gig Gab 377 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Raise Your Damned Prices! — Gig Gab 376 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Hey, Leave Those Gains Alone — Gig Gab 375 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Eight Years of Bending Your Ears – Gig Gab 374 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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, […] The post What’s Your Band’s Fungibility? — Gig Gab 373 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post The Gmail Story — Gig Gab 372 appeared first on Gig Gab.