Sometimes you’ve gotta replace a bandmate… and sometimes it’s the drummer. Your two favorite band geeks talk through this process in-depth today, exploring both how you find someone (yes, including Craigslist!) and then how you might go about auditioning them. But it’s more than that… how do you get to know Read more…
Whether it’s you or someone you play with, you’ve almost certainly got to deal with the juggling act of playing in multiple bands. How do you handle schedule conflicts? What’s the best policy for you to have? Then it’s on to how you choose and learn songs in your band. Read more…
Paul’s experience with the Los Gatos Music in the Park series over the past 10 weeks has given him a lot to think. What’s the secret to making a band successful? What even defines success? This is the backdrop today as he and Dave talk through all of this… and more. Read more…
When you’re picking songs to play, how much attention to you pay to the studio arrangement versus finding a live track? Which have you found works better for you? How do you distill that down in your band’s formula? These are the answers Paul and Dave share in today’s episode. Read more…
Both Paul and Dave had their third gigs with replacement drummers in their respective bands… and they both found that’s the gig when a little bit of magic begins to happen. Hear them tell their tales and dig into the nuts and bolts of it all. Dave also had an Read more…
Listener Timothy shares a story that rings true with us and our motto: Always Be Performing! Before we get to that, though, there’s a conversation about another ABP motto: Always Be Prepared. And that doesn’t just apply to equipment – though it’s important there, too – it applies to people. Read more…
Every local band shares at least one concern: keeping your show fresh for your audience. The real question is, how do you do it? Do you take requests? Do you mix up your setlist? Do you ask the audience to become part of your show? There’s no right or wrong Read more…
Sometimes you have to cancel a gig. It happens. How do you deal with it? Your two favorite weekend warriors talk through the realities associated with it. Then it’s time to talk about renegotiating an existing gig. How can you do it? What’s the protocol? Is it OK? Paul and Read more…
As a musician, there are always so many things to learn and not all of them are music-related. How much camaraderie do you think you have as a band? How much do you help each other out? Paul and Dave wade into those waters here today and then surf over Read more…
One of the best things that can happen to your band – original or cover – is to gain devoted fans. They’re there at every gig, they are your best form of word-of-mouth promotion, and they make you feel like the rock star you are. But there’s a downside to Read more…