Are you someone who’s trying to break into the music scene? Maybe you took some time off from playing or maybe you’ve never played out. What can you do to get going? Your two favorite weekend warriors were asked this question by a fellow listener and they spend some time exploring all the different ways you can make this transition.

But first, it’s time to talk gigs. It is Gig Gab, after all. Dave played a gig on Christmas night(!), and Paul’s exploring the coffee house scene in his area to see what kinds of experiences he can create.

All this and more on the final Gig Gab episode of 2017!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 146 – Monday, December 27, 2017
• 00:01:34 Christmas night Rocky Horror
• 00:05:16 Holiday Gigs
• 00:08:25 Taking the gigs that come in
• 00:10:38 Acoustic Gigs that are truly acoustic
• 00:13:32 Coffee House gigs
• 00:16:17 How to get people to quiet down and listen?
• 00:20:44 Music rooms vs. Restaurants vs. Other venues
• 00:22:40 Ross-How to go about starting from scratch?
• 00:25:36 Jam Nights vs. Gig Nights
• 00:28:04 Hiring your way into the scene
• 00:30:01 The hidden gems
• 00:31:59 A-list cliques
• 00:34:06 Be discerning
• 00:37:08 Craigslist – go audition and get yourself hired
• 00:39:08 Facebook Groups, too
• 00:45:10 GG Outtro

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Sometimes that person in the crowd that wants to sit-in can be awesome… sometimes they can be awFUL. How do you tell which it’s going to be? Listen to Paul and Dave share some war stories and advice. Then it’s on to answering a question about Facebook and marketing and more. And, in the middle, Dave talks about a new toy for drummers who want to add some sounds and feels to their acoustic kits. Press play, download, and enjoy! Always be performing!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 145 – Monday, December 18, 2017
• 00:01:03 Christmas Eve Gigs… and Christmas Gigs!
• 00:03:29 Full drums in a duo!
• 00:05:59 Sound guy in the crowd
• 00:07:42 Letting someone else on stage
• 00:09:25 The style of a sit-in
• 00:13:20 Two musicians connecting
• 00:14:54 Don’t change out the drummer mid-gig
• 00:17:26 “Never ‘Eff’ With a Winning Streak”
• 00:18:25 Sit-ins are a social construct
• 00:21:37 Yamaha EAD10 & DT50S
• 00:28:11 Lewis-The value of Facebook vs Mailing Lists
  • “Marketing is all about getting impressions in front of people’s eyes”
  • Mailchimp
• 00:37:33 Coasters with your band name
• 00:40:49 Learn to focus your marketing
• 00:47:25 Controlling your marketing destiny
• 00:57:37 GG 145 Outtro

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New sound for your band, new thoughts from your band members, even new sound for the show. Yep, the theme for this episode is, most undoubtedly, Listen and Learn.

First we share a comment about getting sound on stage just right and – no surprise here – it’s all about listening. Then we talk through Paul’s drummer replacement process. There was a message loud and clear there, too. Dave shares a lesson about listening to his fellow band members, and realizing that you’re not always hearing what you think you’re hearing!

Lastly, but not leastly, there’s new sound for the podcast itself, too… and some mid-show tweaks are necessary to dial it in. It’s ALL about listening, including Paul’s dog who has something to say, as well.

Download, press play and – you guessed it – Listen and Learn!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 144 – Monday, December 11, 2017
• 00:01:37 Andy-Gig Gab 142-Regarding Volume
• 00:07:40 The goal of good sound is to be able to have instrument
• 00:14:18 Bryan-Have the drummer auditions happened?
• 00:18:04 The audition prep process from the band’s perspective
  • “Somewhere between pissed and frustrated”
• 00:23:10 “Am I the right guy?”
• 00:27:52 Learning how to listen to your fellow bandmates
• 00:32:37 Exercises in communication
• 00:37:54 What do you love?
• 00:38:44 Paul’s Local Musicians Hangout!
• 00:40:57 GG Outtro

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When it comes to being a singer, pitch is fundamental to doing it right. But that’s not all there is, and your two Weekend Warriors (and still-working-at-it-every-day singers!) talk through their respective journeys of gaining confidence and functionality in front of the microphone. But first, it’s time to talk about making music your life. It’s like two episodes in one, and Paul and Dave share their thoughts about making a living primarily through music. Could you bring yourself to do it? Listen in and cogitate while your two music geeks talk, then share your thoughts in the comments below or send an email to feedback@giggabpodcast.com – Always be performing, folks!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 143 – Monday, December 4, 2017
• 00:02:46 Market Minimums
  • Tommy Castro’s “Nasty Habits”
• 00:06:40 Willie K
• 00:09:17 What can a fulltime musician make?
  • Willie K’s Contact Page
  • Mountain Winery
  • Kenny Aronoff Gig Gab Interview
• 00:16:54 Making Music Your Life
• 00:20:13 Roger McNmee
  • Flying Other Brothers
  • MoonAlice
  • Robert Berry GigGab Interview
• 00:24:44 The Semi-Professional Vocalist
• 00:28:21 It’s not fun to look at yourself in the mirror
  • Vocal mechanics
• 00:30:28 Copy-cat singers
• 00:32:13 The path to becoming a proficient vocalist
• 00:34:10 Learning Pitch
• 00:37:00 Taking Lessons
• 00:40:43 Focus on the mechanics…but at the right time!
• 00:42:41 Good harmonies taste good!
• 00:43:30 Expression matters
  • Pitch is non-negotiable
• 00:46:17 GG 143 Outtro

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