All posts by Dave.

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

(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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

What is Your Band's Purpose? – Gig Gab Podcast 223

What is Your Band’s Purpose? – Gig Gab Podcast 223

If you were starting all over again with your band, what would you do and how would you do it? That’s the question Paul poses to Dave – and, by proxy, all of us – today. Listen as your two favorite weekend warriors talk through all of this and a LOT more.

The LOT? Well, there’s a conversation about how best to handle people behaving badly (yep, time to revisit that one!). And then there’s a discussion about the attitude to take as you walk on stage, based on something Dave learned (again!) this past week.

Press play and enjoy, Gig Gabbers!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 223 – Friday, August 23, 2019
  • 00:01:47 We’ll wake her up… or not!
  • 00:04:44 Handling people behaving badly
  • 00:11:16 The crowd was small, but mighty
  • 00:17:10 If you had your druthers, what would you?
  • 00:27:10 The corporate band is the easy route
  • 00:34:57 What rejuvinates a cover band scene?
  • Bonamassa Cover Mainline Florida
  • 00:37:34 Create a scene
  • 00:41:18 Next episode: September 3rd!
  • 00:41:54 Make your band a purpose
  • Gig Gab Podcast Facebook Group
  • 00:44:50 Today we’re using the RØDECaster Pro
  • 00:46:29 GG 222 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:59 — 32.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

The Final 45 – Gig Gab Podcast 222

The Final 45 – Gig Gab Podcast 222

How do you introduce new songs to your band’s setlist? This is a pretty loaded question, it turns out, and your two favorite weekend warriors chat through this. Seems it might even need some kind of intentional process, especially if you want new songs to enter your band’s top 10.

Mothballs might be involved. And you’ll need to learn about The Final 45. Dave certainly did, and thankfully Paul was there to help! Press play and enjoy!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 222 – Tuesday, August 13, 2019
  • 00:01:57 Podcast Movement and Dave’s Steve Jobs Story
  • 00:05:36 Adding New Songs
    • The Dangling Participle
  • 00:10:24 The creativity of a cover band
  • 00:11:51 Bringing a song into your A-List
    • Break Glass in Case of Emergency
  • 00:16:56 SPONSOR: Mint Mobile. Cut your wireless bill to just $15 per month at MintMobile.com/GigGab
  • 00:19:09 What do you look for in a tune?
  • 00:26:00 There are so many great songs
  • 00:31:26 Giving a song a fair shake
  • 00:37:04 What works for your band
  • 00:46:04 The Final 45
  • 00:51:51 GG 222 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:01 — 36.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

Eff That – Gig Gab Podcast 221

Eff That – Gig Gab Podcast 221

Are you in for a rollicking good time? Enjoying your summer, either playing in the streets or watching bands playing in the streets? That’s fun! Got a player who can’t stay in the pocket? What about when the bandleader isn’t up to snuff? How about when a festival doesn’t wanna pay local bands? Uh huh. And what do you do when someone spends too much time looking at your pedal board?

Paul and Dave have answers… and not only the titular one. That’s right. We said titular. Enjoy!

Chapters/Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 221 – Tuesday, August 6, 2019
  • 00:01:03 Stones played Harlem Shuffle
    • The Stones are an Impossible Band to Cover
  • 00:03:50 Two gigs, one night
  • 00:08:30 Playing In the Street!
  • 00:13:50 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.
  • 00:17:46 Martin-Pocket-less Players
    • “Eff That!”
  • 00:29:00 When the bandleader isn’t up to snuff
  • 00:35:51 Eff That: Santa Cruz Music Festival Not Paying Local Performers
  • 00:44:38 CJ’s Pedal Board Sign
  • 00:46:35 Gig Gab 221 Outtro
    • Hats off to Kevin Bryson!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:16 — 33.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More