Monthly Archives for January 2019

Always Be Performing…With Semaphore – Gig Gab Podcast 198

This week, your two favorite working musicians dig into the now-overflowing mailbag and share your thoughts and questions with the audience. Hear Kevin’s thoughts about having your own, band-specific, portable monitor rack, DK’s thoughts about the Soundcraft Ui24R, and Martin’s question about mixing politics and music.

Paul and Dave talk through all of these with you, of course, and then share some of their own thoughts as well. Have you had band photos taken recently? What image do you think they convey? What image do they actually convey? Be honest… you know everyone else will!

Listen for more. Press play and enjoy. And remember… A.B.P.!

Chapters/Timestamps:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:48 — 37.9MB) | Embed

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Dan Meblin from Pop Fiction – Gig Gab 197

Dan Meblin, leader of San Francisco Bay Area band “Pop Fiction” joins Paul and Dave this week to talk through running a successful cover/party/function band. Dan and his bandmates created Pop Fiction after playing together in a band catering to a similar market, and Dan’s history includes both playing in original bands and working in the Silicon Valley technology world.

Dan talks us through creating and marketing Pop Fiction, of course, but also some of the particulars. An on-the-fly segment, “Dan’s Tips for How to Treat a Venue Well” includes a great detour into setting up your own in-ears rack so that you can have perfect stage sound everywhere with very little adjustments needed at each venue.

Dan’s got a lot to share, and share he does. You’re gonna love this one. Press play, listen, and enjoy. Thanks, Dan!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 197 – Monday, January 21, 2019
  • 00:00:45 The snow policy… was enacted!
  • 00:02:14 Dan Meblin from Pop Fiction
  • 00:03:06 Eric Martin Band and Dan’s history
  • 00:05:57 “You Have to Learn To Love Those Cover Songs”
  • 00:08:20 Running your own band
  • 00:10:37 How did you know what you’re doing?
  • 00:11:40 “This Band Sounds Really Good”
  • 00:13:02 Gotta play Public Shows
  • 00:13:38 Follow-ups are key
  • 00:16:12 Venue managers are also your agents
  • 00:17:50 SPONSOR: ExpressVPN – ExpressVPN.com/GIGGAB gets you 3 months free with your 1-year subscription
  • 00:20:01 Dan’s Tips for How to Treat a Venue Well
    • Don’t leave garbage with your name on it!
    • Do a Site Check (size, parking, load-in, electricity, schmoozing)
    • Know and Follow The Rules (avoid the bar!)
    • Manage Your Volume
  • 00:25:07 Make in-ears a band-wide priority
  • 00:32:51 Presentation matters: “Dressy Flashy”
    • “You Want to Look Expensive”
    • “Don’t look like a waiter”
  • 00:36:33 Expanding your business options
  • 00:41:19 Intellistage to the rescue
  • 00:44:50 Managing Rehearsals for a Working Band
  • 00:46:39 jamLink for distant rehearsals (2010!!)
  • 00:51:26 GG 197 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:47 — 36.1MB) | Embed

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Controlling Your Outward Vibe – Gig Gab Podcast 196

We often talk about stage presence, but what about off-stage presence? And how much is too much? And what happens when a fan reads more into your vibe than you intended?

How do you remain appropriately distant without appearing to be aloof?

Then it’s on to some Cool Stuff Found that Dave encountered at CES. Definitely something here you’ll want to learn about.

Finally, Paul and Dave talk through upcoming shows and how they’re approaching everything. Press play, listen, and enjoy!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 196 – Wednesday, January 16, 2019
  • 00:02:45 Time is the time
  • 00:05:18 Lost some fans
  • 00:15:38 Controlling Your Outward Vibe
  • 00:21:43 New Segment: Cool Stuff Found! feedback@giggabpodcast.com
  • 00:22:46 CSF at CES-Soundcraft Ui24R Mixer – $999
  • 00:28:48 CSF at CES-Jammy Portable Guitar – $399 pre-order
  • 00:30:59 CSF at CES-Loop Earplugs – $29.95
  • 00:33:08 Foo Fighters live at CES
  • 00:38:18 Paul’s Tributes: Petty Show, Bruce/Lynda/John Show
  • 00:43:30 New Houserockers Tunes
  • 00:52:51 GG 196 Outtro
    • Next week: Dan Meblin from Pop Fiction

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:53 — 37.5MB) | Embed

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