All posts by Dave.

Keeping it Fresh – Gig Gab 233

Keeping it Fresh – Gig Gab 233

What do you do to keep things fresh for your band and your audience? What more could you do?

As much as we love the music, it’s not just about the music. There’s more we can all do – especially in today’s attention-distracted world – to ensure our fans are interested in coming to the next show. Heck, there’s more we can do to ensure we are interested in playing our next show. What is it? Paul and Dave talk through this.

Also, what’s the magic that makes your band special? Getting some perspective on this can be helpful, at times, and your two favorite weekend warriors talk through this, as well. Press play, and always be performing!

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 233 – Monday, November 11, 2019 (recorded on Friday, November 8th)
  • 00:01:07 The Mix of your Band
  • 00:10:39 SPONSOR: Bandzoogle. Built by musicians for musicians, Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music. Try for free for 30 days, then use promo code “giggab” to get 15% off your first year.
  • 00:13:20 What do you do to keep things fresh?
  • 00:45:41 Tribute to Jim Manganello
  • 00:47:21 GG 233 Outtro

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AD(vertising) INFINITUM – Gig Gab 232

What’s it take to get you to put your pants and shoes on and leave the couch? That’s the question to ask your would-be audience when deciding how to advertise to them. You want them to get up off the couch and come to your show, so make ’em an offer they don’t want to refuse.

Paul and Dave spend the second half of today’s episode talking through all this stuff ad-related, after starting with stories from some fun Halloween/Halloweekend gigs. Press play and enjoy hearing your two favorite Weekend Warriors!

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 232- Monday, November 4, 2019
  • 00:01:54 Outdoor New Years’ Gig
  • 00:04:07 Halloween/Halloweekend Gigs
  • 00:18:47 SPONSOR: Circle Home Plus makes it easy to take childhood offline when needed, so they can focus on homework, chores, or bedtime.
  • 00:21:14 SPONSOR: CHAUVET DJ. Don’t just rock…rock in the spotlight with CHAUVET DJ!
  • 00:23:35 John-Ad(vertising) Infinitum
  • 00:46:44 GG 232 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:26 — 32.9MB) | Embed

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Selling Your Band: First Contact – Gig Gab 231

Listener Sean brings us back to the marketing table asking how best to make that very first contact with a potential club to play. Paul’s the experienced one here, and he leads us all through a great lesson on how best to make that work.

It seems we’re all now members of the blackout generation, at least in terms of generating power during blackouts. Dave shares some of his tips about powering your band through a power outage, as both he and Paul have needed to do lately!

And, of course, there are all of your favorite gig-related stories. It’s amazing how much stuff happens at “normal” shows, isn’t it? We love it. After all, that’s what makes Gig Gab exist!

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 231- Monday, October 28, 2019
  • 00:01:04 Holiday Gigs
  • 00:04:24 “Do you think we’d be good for that venue?”
  • 00:10:56 Member of the Blackout Generation
  • 00:13:19 Paul Simon Tribute
  • 00:18:41 Little Feat Listeners!
  • 00:24:11 Standers vs. Sitters
  • 00:25:57 Generation Revisited
  • 00:28:49 Adding Songs on-the-fly
  • 00:34:26 Client vs. Venue vs. Band
  • 00:40:43 Sean-Making initial contact with a club?
  • 00:56:48 GG 231 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:17 — 39.9MB) | Embed

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The Rule of Three – Gig Gab Podcast 230

Does your band have a new song approach policy? Maybe you need to adopt the rule of three. Maybe you need to tweak the wireless frequencies of your devices. Maybe it’s good to have a conversation about trust between your bandmates. Listen, there’s a lot of maybes in the world, and your two favorite weekend warriors can only tackle a few each week. Listen as Paul and Dave address these topics (and maybe another!). Press play and enjoy!

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 230 – Monday, October 21, 2019
  • 00:01:26 Musical Nomadic Life
  • 00:02:19 Collecting guitars is more fun than moving guitars
  • 00:05:40 SPONSOR: Bandzoogle. Built by musicians for musicians, Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music. Try for free for 30 days, then use promo code “giggab” to get 15% off your first year.
  • 00:08:49 GG229 – Trust and Communication amongst bandmembers
  • 00:18:15 Band members vs. Band leaders
  • 00:21:12 Kevin-Rule of 3 for New Songs
  • 00:38:17 SPONSOR: Mint Mobile. Cut your wireless bill to just $15 per month at MintMobile.com/GigGab
  • 00:40:41 Kevin-IEM Frequencies
  • 00:49:51 Little Feat with a Sub!
  • 00:53:25 GG 230

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:07 — 37.8MB) | Embed

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Comfy Slippers – Gig Gab 229

Comfy Slippers – Gig Gab 229

There’s a point you can get to with a band where playing together feels like putting on your favorite comfy slippers. Things are happy, things are smooth, and you have room and confidence to conquer the stage.

But what happens when the slippers aren’t comfortable anymore? Or aren’t even there? Well, your two favorite weekend warriors talk through all of this. Listener Tom even has a scenario brewing that requires an extended conversation jam between Paul and Dave, trading fours back-and-forth like two guys with something to say and listen to. It’s all yours right now, just press play!

And if you have a question, send it in to feedback@giggabpodcast.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:13:36 — 51.2MB) | Embed

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Finding (and leaving) Your Comfort Zone – Gig Gab 228

It’s great to get your band to a place where you can just get setup and play without any issues. That’s not always easy, mind you, but it’s great. Paul and Dave both have a few stories – and a few tips – about how to make this happen… and what happens when it doesn’t!

Crowd interaction is a critical tentpole of our “Always Be Performing” motto here at Gig Gab, and Dave had some interesting experiences with that this past weekend. Sometimes the crowd is too easy to engage, and that can present its own set of problems to be solved. Never fear, Paul is there to help solve them.

Lastly, a tech question about the right kind of mix for your in-ear monitors. Really, it’s a question that applies to any monitor mixes, so you’ll want to hear your favorite Weekend Warriors’ thoughts about that, too! Press play to get it all right now.

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 228 – Monday, September 30, 2019 <https://giggabpodcast.com/>
  • 00:00:57 Paul’s relocating
  • 00:02:52 Dave’s Three outdoor gig weekend
  • 00:11:18 Charlie Farren
  • 00:13:34 But we don’t want to be drunk
  • 00:15:23 No Power Porchfest!
    • “The band is so hot we blew out the power!”
  • 00:21:01 Props to the leaders!
  • 00:26:53 Asking Strange Questions From the Stage
  • 00:28:09 When you have a good sub!
  • 00:35:40 Find the Comfort Zone
  • 00:43:04 Adam-Should IEM mixes be pre- or post-fader?
  • 00:49:13 GG 228 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:39 — 34.4MB) | Embed

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Confidence, Inclusivity, and Nightlife Crowds vs. Music Lovers – Gig Gab 227

Confidence, Inclusivity, and Nightlife Crowds vs. Music Lovers – Gig Gab 227

If your band can successfully employ the concept of intentional inclusivity with your crowd, you are destined for success. Listen as Paul and Dave open up this topic, and then send in your own thoughts to feedback@giggabpodcast.com.

First, though, a conversation about subbing percolates to the importance of confidence. No matter where you are, you’ve gotta be able to rock when it’s time to rock. Your favorite weekend warriors have some experience with this on both sides of the coin, and they’re happy to share.

Press play, listen, enjoy, and then share your thoughts, too!

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 227 – Monday, September 23, 2019
  • 00:01:00 Festival Switchovers
  • 00:06:51 Paul-Sub Drummer
  • 00:09:31 Know Your Bare Monitor Minimums
  • 00:17:47 E-Dan-Gig Gab in Stereo Sounds Great!
  • 00:21:24 FB-Chip-226-Comedians and Acoustic Volume Levels
  • 00:26:50 Coaching leads to Confidence
  • 00:44:54 Nightlife Crowd vs. Music Lovers
  • 00:51:41 Intentional Inclusivity
    • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
  • 01:01:11 GG 227 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:00 — 43.8MB) | Embed

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(Re-)Creating Your Base of Club Gigs – Gig Gab 226

Have you ever had it where all the clubs you’re playing suddenly no longer want bands anymore? If you haven’t, you will. Thankfully, Paul and Dave have each been through it, and have some words of wisdom to share on the subject.

First though, let’s talk about a few scenarios for hired guns out there, and how the right approach and mindset can make all the difference in the world.

Press play and enjoy, and always be performing!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:28 — 33.6MB) | Embed

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Does Your Band Have Buy-In? – Gig Gab Podcast 225

When someone brings a new song in for your band to learn, what’s the process? What does it take for it to be a success? What does it take for your whole band to buy-in to the process?

Listen as Paul and Dave share their successes–and failures–in this regard. They’ll share some of the tricks they’ve learned, and some that they haven’t.

All this and more, on this week’s Gig Gab. Press play and enjoy!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 225 – Monday, September 9, 2019 <https://giggabpodcast.com/>
  • 00:01:22 The vibe of acoustic gigs
  • 00:15:13 Market Minimum
  • 00:21:00 SPONSOR: Bandzoogle – Built by musicians for musicians, Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music. Try for free for 30 days, then use promo code “giggab” to get 15% off your first year.
  • 00:23:51 Is this a song by your favorite band?
  • 00:32:47 Poo-pooing tunes
  • 00:38:16 The Wedding Three!
  • 00:45:03 Buy-in matters!
  • 00:48:00 Next week: Chops!
  • 00:49:07 GG 225 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:35 — 34.3MB) | Embed

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What’s in Your Rider? – Gig Gab 224

Contract riders have the stigma of being reserved for only the über-elite – and über-pompous – bands. The reality is, though, that riders can be very useful and helpful devices in ensuring not only a great performance, but a smoother gig-day experience for everyone. Listen as Paul and Dave talk through their favorite rider items, and why they have them.

There’s more, including the legendary Fling Eagle story, but you’ll have to listen to find out more about that!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 224 – Tuesday, September 3, 2019
  • 00:01:06 Los Gatos Park Dance
  • 00:10:17 The Importance of On-Stage Visual Contact
  • 00:19:16 SPONSOR: CHAUVET DJ. Don’t just rock…rock in the spotlight with CHAUVET DJ!
  • 00:23:21 What should be in Your Rider?
    • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
    • Price and Terms (Prepayment, Post-payment, deposit)
    • Water (24 bottles)
    • Stage, size, electrical requirements (how many 20A circuits do you need?)
    • Is the stage covered?
    • Meals (enough for band and crew!)
    • Extra stagehands (loading help)
    • Green room
    • Cards Against Humanity
    • Parking
    • Bar privileges
    • Find out about stairs/floors
    • Lights (stagewash)
    • SIR Equipment Rental
  • 00:39:44 Bohemian Rhapsody – The Movie
  • 00:48:43 GG224 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:25 — 34.8MB) | Embed

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