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    Music

    Gig Gab – The Working Musician’s Podcast

    Welcome to Gig Gab—the podcast sanctuary for working musicians and anyone fascinated by the vibrant, often unseen world behind every note played on stage. Whether you’re a musician, a member of the crew, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain to discover the secrets of live performances, you’ve found your tribe.

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    Copyright: © BackBeat Media, LLC 2024

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    Latest Episodes:
    Laughs, Life, and Lessons with James "Diamond" Williams from The Ohio Players Oct 27, 2025
    Show notes Laughs, Life, and Lessons with James "Diamond" Williams from The Ohio Players – Gig Gab 505 episode image

    This week, you’re sitting down with funk legend James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players! From his jazz roots and early gigs at age 14 to shaping the groove of “Love Rollercoaster” and “Fire,” Diamond shares how precision, persistence, and passion built one of the most iconic sounds in funk. You’ll hear stories of wild recording schedules, late-night gigs, and the unforgettable moment Stevie Wonder first heard “Fire.” Through it all, Diamond reminds you that love—and music—is truly a rollercoaster.

    Diamond also talks about what it takes to keep a band together, why preparation is everything, and how to push your career forward when no one else will. His message? Stay seated, stay belted, and enjoy the ride. Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 505 – Monday, October 27th, 2025
      • October 27th: National Black Cat Day
      • Guest co-host: James “Diamond” Williams
    • 00:03:35 Syncopated grooves
      • Jazz labs with his Dad
      • Gigging with jazz standards at 14 years old
      • All-City orchestra
      • Miami University
      • Marching band
      • Drum and Bugle Corps
      • All those influences
    • 00:05:38 How did the drum fill intro for “I Want to Be Free” come together
    • 00:10:16 Love Rollercoaster was an intentional pop hit
      • BTO was the “hit” band with Mercury when Ohio Players signed
      • Ohio Players told Mercury: “We need nothing from you but your money.”
      • Came in with a gold 45 and left with a Platinum album
    • 00:14:08 Crazy recording schedule
      • Playing at the Red Onion in Buffalo, NY at night while recording in Chicago during the day
      • They set a goal: “Let’s write three platinum albums in a row.”
    • 00:16:01 Stevie Wonder hears “Fire” for the first time
    • Sponsors
      • 00:19:37 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today!
        • (and check out Gig Gab 482 with Mark Steiner from May, 2025, too!)
      • 00:21:12 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/giggab4 or use code giggab4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
    • 00:22:42 “I Want To Be Free” – Midnight Special viral clip on Instagram
      • Bands covering
      • Red Hot Chili Peppers cover Love Rollercoaster
      • D’Angelo
      • Tupac
    • 00:24:47 The Ohio Players and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
      • Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame induction
    • 00:28:42 Keep pushing for your career… you are your best advocate
    • 00:32:42 Balancing strong personalities within a band
      • Advice: Never stop!
        • Ohio Players were a band 24/7
        • Rehearsed five days a week
      • Hearing “Me & Mrs. Jones” everywhere when starting on tour
        • …and hearing “Skin Tight” the same way
    • 00:37:43 It comes back to preparation!
      • Diamond’s Father’s Lessons
    • 00:39:00 What transpired between Funky Worm (gold 45) and Skin Tight (Platinum album)?
      • The musicality Billy Beck and Diamond
      • Sugarfoot was always Sugarfoot: “he never came offstage”
    • 00:43:28 Touring with technology decades ago
    • 00:45:24 Diamonds life advice: love is actually a rollercoaster
      • Stay seated and belted, and enjoy the ride.
      • Stay diligent, faithful, and positive.
    • 00:47:16 Gig Gab 505 Outtro
      • Follow Diamond at The Ohio Players
        • Ohio Players Instagram
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Laughs, Life, and Lessons with James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players – Gig Gab 505 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    Beyond The Stage: How Band Summits Change Everything Oct 20, 2025
    Show notes Beyond The Stage: How Band Summits Change Everything – Gig Gab 504 episode image

    Mike Schulte returns to Gig Gab for a deep dive into the conversations that make bands stronger. You’ll explore how band summits—those intentional moments to step away from gigs and just talk—can reset your focus, rebuild trust, and make your group operate like a real team. From redefining what success looks like to refining how you plan your shows, this episode challenges you to look beyond the stage and invest in the relationships that keep your music alive.

    You’ll also dig into the systems that make the difference between chaos and consistency: smarter scheduling, simplified setups, and knowing when to say “no” so your band can keep saying “yes” to the right gigs. Whether you’re touring every weekend or just playing local spots, this is the blueprint for staying connected, staying efficient, and, above all, staying true to the Gig Gab mantra—Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 504 – Monday, October 20th, 2025
      • October 20th: World Statistics Day
      • Guest co-host: Mike Schulte
      • A moment of self-congratulations
        • Skylar’s on TikTok!
    • 00:05:19 Pork Tornadoes had a packed summer…again!
      • Averaged 8 gigs per month from May to September
      • 9 Shows in September, 11 in July
      • Started off as a bar band 18 years ago…now it’s a machine with employees
      • Each gig starts with $3,500 in fixed cost expenses and becomes a money machine
    • 00:07:34 Making the internal decisions to set yourself up for future success
      • Learning your limits (three shows in a row for Pork Tornadoes)
      • Taking your contracted set time down (from 4 hours to 2 hours)
      • Rotating your setlist for every show…”you didn’t hear your favorite song tonight, come to the next show”
      • Training your crew so that you can arrive 30 minutes before soundcheck, and leave right after the encore
      • No more sharing hotel rooms. Each band member gets their own room. Keeps people healthier…and happier!
      • Simplifying our rig so that we can show up and play
      • Using Ethernet-based snakes like CAT-SASS
    • 00:18:47 Building out your in-ears rack with intention
      • Gear Gab: Pork Tornadoes using the Midas DL251 Blue Box Rack
      • Mix with some drum overheads…you might find you like it!
    • 00:23:14 Schedule a band summit
      • Discuss your goals
      • Just hang out, let the discussions happen
      • Be together, no gigs, no soundchecks, just a band retreat. This is how you level up with intention.
    • 00:28:06 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab
    • 00:29:49 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab
    • 00:31:14 Gear Gab: Get the best kick drum sound you can with mics in the right place
      • May Turbo Kick
      • May Monorail
    • 00:36:08 What happens when your band is pivotal to an event that is bigger than you?
      • Canceling the band means no one attends, no one gets to sell food, no merch, the fans who bought hotel rooms, etc
    • 00:38:50 What are the options when a band member needs to cancel?
      • Have a deep roster of musicians (the Adam Moskowitz/VAM Band way)
      • Recording yourselves so you can bring in a missing member’s tracks
      • Canceling the entire gig (bad!)
    • 00:53:32 What’s worse? Lip syncing, or canceling a gig?
    • 00:54:32 What is the benefit of telling people about problems on stage?
      • When is it right to acknowledge it? When is it best to pretend everything is A-OK?
    • 00:58:07 Gig Gab 504 Outtro
      • Follow Mike Schulte
        • Confused Breakfast
        • The Pork Tornadoes
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Beyond The Stage: How Band Summits Change Everything – Gig Gab 504 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    The Power of the Page: Inside Cover Band Central’s Massive Reach with Steve Witschel Oct 13, 2025
    Show notes The Power of the Page: Inside Cover Band Central’s Massive Reach — Gig Gab 503 with Steve Witschel episode image

    You’re diving into the power of persistence and adaptability in this episode of Gig Gab with guest co-host Steve Witschel. From building and moderating a 132,000-member Cover Band Central group to navigating Facebook’s monetization chaos with the nearly-1,000,000-member Facebook page, Steve shares how he transformed challenges into content gold. You’ll learn how he separates community-driven interaction in the group from content curation on the page—and how both have become invaluable tools. If you’re not treating your Facebook group like an encyclopedia, you’re missing out.

    It’s not just about posts, it’s about presence. Steve walks you through using AI tools like Sora to streamline video creation and embraces the idea of turning everyday gig life into engaging fan-building content. Whether it’s filming someone lugging gear or crafting posts that stir emotions, your goal is to create superfans between shows.

    And yes, Rush is back on tour with Anika Nilles on drums—Steve’s take? She’s approaching it like a seasoned cover band pro. Dave’s take? You gotta listen to hear it straight from the source!

    Through it all, you’re reminded: embrace failure, evolve with tech, and above all… Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 503 – Monday, October 13th, 2025
      • October 13th: International Day for Failure
      • Guest co-host: Steve Witschel
    • 00:03:59 Growing Cover Band Central
      • Dave’s Business Brain podcast
      • Handling the group differently than the page
      • The group has the audience provide the comment.
      • The page is Steve provide the content
    • 00:05:49 Moderating the Cover Band Central group of 132,000 members
      • Setting the group private and setting post approval
    • 00:10:48 Searching the group is an encyclopedia of information
    • 00:12:09 Publishing the Cover Band Central page
      • Meta invited the page to a bonus program – Steve decided it was time to publish original content
      • Drummer jokes!
    • 00:14:26 Rehearsing Thriller…and Human Nature, especially
    • 00:18:34 Locking in with other musicians
      • Steve, the bass player: “I am the drums”
      • Learning about being locked-in from watching Dio and Dokken in 1988
      • Monetizing the group or page?
    • 00:23:53 SPONSOR: Mechanical Licensing Collective – Are you a songwriter, music publisher, or administrator? Every month, The MLC collects the streaming data and royalties from Spotify and Apple Music, matches the money to the creator who has earned it, and then pays out the royalties due. Visit TheMLC.com today to sign up!
    • 00:25:58 Making money from the Facebook group
      • The Facebook BreakthroughBonus program
      • Getting dinged for Facebook’s community standards (with no information)
      • Facebook’s Content Monetization Program
    • 00:29:33 Time to Make Videos
    • 00:30:25 Getting clients to advertise on Facebook
      • Selling an ad, and then buying Facebook ads to serve that on his page
    • 00:35:08 Using AI as a work Assistant
      • Technology advances, and you have to roll with it!
      • Embrace change, folks.
      • AI is a reliable assistant (with questionable accuracy!)
      • Using AI like Sora to Create Videos
    • 00:40:05 Using AI to Generate Content
      • Spotify’s popular AI generated band: The Velvet Sundown
    • 00:42:31 Steve Witschel’s book, Get ‘Em to the Show: How to Beat the Facebook Algorithm and Successfully Promote Your Gigs Online
      • Debunking some myths
      • Overposting is good!
        • Using Buffer to post on your page
        • Jack Mccarthy says “It’s not a movie, it’s a parade. Not everyone sees every post.”
      • Cater to people’s emotions
        • Could be sad, mad, happy, funny, but it has to be SOMETHING.
      • Celebrate your failures in public, for example.
        • Create your own holiday!
      • Create superfans by sharing content in between your gigs
      • The Internet is easier than Postcards and Flyers!
      • Film someone carrying gear into the gig
      • Film some minutiae back stage
    • 00:53:45 Rush is touring in 2026. What are your thoughts?
      • Rush Fifty Something Tour
      • Neil Peart passed in 2020
      • Anika Nilles is joining Rush for their 2026 tour
      • Celebrating the music of Rush with the fans
      • Steve’s take: Anika is coming in and playing the parts like she’s in a cover band
      • Dave might go to most of the shows. For Dave’s midlife crisis: “I don’t want a Ferrari, I want a Red Barchetta.”
      • Steve might go to Madison Square Garden
    • 01:12:55 Gig Gab 503 Outtro
      • Follow Steve Witschel
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post The Power of the Page: Inside Cover Band Central’s Massive Reach — Gig Gab 503 with Steve Witschel appeared first on Gig Gab.

    From Load-In to Bus Call: A Tech’s Life on the Big Time Rush Tour with Stephen Kramer Glickman Oct 06, 2025
    Show notes From Load-In to Bus Call: A Tech’s Life on the Big Time Rush Tour with Stephen Kramer Glickman — Gig Gab 502 with Justin Scheidling episode image

    Justin Scheidling takes us inside a day in the life of a touring tech, supporting the bands of Stephen Kramer Glickman and Katelyn Tarver on the Big Time Rush tour, from load-in to bus call. From labeling every cable and packing “JustInCase” bags to handling the curveballs of show days, you get the raw look at how a pro keeps the gig rolling. You’ll hear how gear obsession became the gateway to teching, what it’s like to set up drums straight off the truck, and why even a $3,000 gig has the same headaches as a $300 one. And yes, rain still finds its way to the PA. Through it all, Justin proves that the secret to surviving the road is simple: Always Be Performing.

    But this isn’t just about tech work! It’s about career lessons you can steal borrow for your own gigs. You’ll learn why making yourself known by being helpful pays off, how meeting everyone opens doors, and how DJ percussion gigs and Blue Man Group tricks turned into a show-stopping side hustle. From backstage at Meadowbrook’s rock-star pool party to 3am bus calls, Justin makes it clear that every step of the grind adds to the craft. No matter the role—tech, player, or bandleader—you’re building skills that take you further on stage and off.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 502 – Monday, October 6th, 2025
      • October 6th: National Mad Hatter Day
      • Guest co-hosts: Justin Scheidling
    • 00:02:50 First time nationwide drum tech!
      • Gear Acquisition Syndrome is real… and it helps set you up to become a drum tech!
      • Buddy Gibbons says.. “So… I need a tech!”
      • The job expands: Can you also work on guitars…and pianos?
    • 00:05:40 Remembering the view of an outsider
      • Player first…but I run my own bands
    • 00:07:53 What’s in your “JustInCase”
      • Labeling is important!
      • MakeItStay Bag
      • MakeItMove Bag
    • 00:11:21 I want everyone on this tour to know who I am.
      • Do that by being helpful
    • 00:13:00 Are my toolboxes going to make it on the plane?
    • 00:14:33 Gig Anxiety
      • Fueled by experiences
      • Don’t plug the PA in with the refrigerator
      • A little bit extra…with Justin!
    • 00:18:38 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today!
      • (and check out Gig Gab 482 with Mark Steiner from May, 2025, too!)
    • 00:20:00 Show day as a drum tech
      • Walk the stage
      • Drums are still in “the attic”
      • The day could go one of two ways:
      • If room at the venue, we could set up the drums behind the stage and roll them out (and back)
      • Otherwise we’d have to build on stage
      • “We wanna help break down!”
    • 00:27:50 “No matter what your gig is, every gig has bullshit.” — Syndee Winters
      • A $300 gig has its level of BS
      • A $3000 gig has its level of BS
      • The multi-million-dollar production of Hamilton ALSO has it’s multi-million dollar production of Bullshit.
      • A new Gig Gab adage: When there’s rain…the water always hits the PA.
      • Beware water and power…they don’t mix!
    • 00:33:52 No matter what the gig is, learn everything you can learn
      • What can I apply to my show at home?
      • How can I further my career?
      • What redundancies can I learn to apply to my gigs?
    • 00:34:44 Advice to Justin from Trevor Lawrence, Jr., Drummer with Herbie Hancock
      • “Talk to everyone!”
      • “Find your favorite musicians and talk to them.”
      • Justin immediately reached out to: Kenny Aronoff & Buddy Giggons
    • 00:41:57 You never know who you’re gonna meet
      • And make sure you meet everyone.
    • 00:43:03 Back to the day of touring…
      • Soundcheck happens and it’s tweaking and troubleshooting time
      • Then mealbreak
    • 00:48:13 Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH, the Ultimate Venue
      • Gilford is the backstage party that people think it is.
      • Couches and TVs, heated pool, open bar, and video monitors to watch
      • Pedal bikes and merch!
      • “I would vacation there every day if I could!”
      • Recover kits with Advil and Liquid IV
      • LAUNDRY!
      • RJ & Bridget Harding really have created a wonderful thing
    • 00:51:29 Ten minutes to showtime
      • Last-minute checks
    • 00:54:32 Teardown
      • This needs to happen fast
      • “If I think I have some time, it’s never gonna make it.”
      • Changing drumheads post-show
    • 00:57:50 Then bus call… at 3am
      • On the road by 4am
      • Bunks on the bus
    • 00:59:59 Downtime is Unpredictable Deadtime
    • 01:01:59 Justin’s Gigging Schedule
      • Go Rogue is Justin’s new band
      • The Current is Justin’s backing band that he created to backup other
      • Justin does DJ Percussion (formerly “Party Percussion”)
      • DJs are also musician
      • “Herbie Hancock invented hip hop with scratching” — Justin Scheidling
    • 01:06:23 Learning to be a Party/DJ Percussionist
      • Adapted Blue Man Group stuff, stick twirls, standing drums, percussion…all making the show!
    • 01:08:53 It’s always a show!
      • Every little thing comes from a lesson learned!
      • I have the best job ever!
    • 01:11:30 Gig Gab 502 Outtro
      • Follow Justin Scheidling
        • JustinScheidling.com
        • @JustinScheidling on IG
    • Follow and Contact Gig Gab!
      • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
      • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
      • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post From Load-In to Bus Call: A Tech’s Life on the Big Time Rush Tour with Stephen Kramer Glickman — Gig Gab 502 with Justin Scheidling appeared first on Gig Gab.

    Indie Music Mastery: Marketing, Email, and AI with Jack McCarthy Sep 29, 2025
    Show notes Indie Music Mastery: Marketing, Email, and AI with Jack McCarthy — Gig Gab 501 episode image

    Jack McCarthy joins you on Gig Gab to dig into the real business of music, how to grow attention, capture it, and convert it into lasting fan relationships. You’ll learn why the right material works, how to transform inspiration into your own content, and why audio quality matters less than energy when you’re trying to make fans say, “who is this band?” It’s about creating cultural moments, fueling FOMO, and turning one-time listeners into repeat buyers. This is where “Always Be Performing” extends beyond the stage into every piece of marketing you share.

    From building email and SMS lists to flattening the revenue rollercoaster with calendars and consistent outreach, you’ll see how indie artists can move from surviving to thriving. Jack and Dave walk through practical strategies like dissecting viral hits, harnessing UGC, and even using AI to smash blank page syndrome. You’ll hear why you’re probably not being “salesy” enough, and how treating your marketing as another form of performance makes it feel authentic, not forced. If you’re ready to stand out in a noisy world, this episode shows you how.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 501 – Monday, September 29th, 2025
      • September 29th: National Silent Movie Day
    • Guest co-host: Jack McCarthy from Indepreneur & their Creative Juice Podcast
    • 00:02:35 Let’s talk Business of music
    • 00:03:04 Indepreneur – Music Marketing Education
      • Monetizing a fanbase
      • Coaching artists
      • IndieX – an agency working 1-on-1 with artists
    • 00:04:42 Start gathering attention
      • You need to start growing a critical mass
    • 00:05:51 Once you have attention you need to capture that in a number of different ways
    • 00:06:40 Converting attention into a next step
      • Audience into an email or SMS list
      • Or getting someone to buy from you the first time (tickets, merch)
      • Buying from you again (Patreon)
    • 00:08:09 To gain attention: pay attention to the types of videos that capture your attention
      • Clickbait is effective for a reason!
      • Apply the same ideas to the stuff that you make
      • Emulate and morph it into something
    • 00:10:15 Learn other peoples stuff… then learn FROM other people’s stuff
      • Eventually you have something that is yours
    • 00:12:25 Coaching people through creating their first posts
      • So much of it involves working to “get the suck out of it”
      • Learn what makes you… you!
      • “I would love to make a video like that”
      • Story of when Dave almost got crushed by a monitor tower
    • 00:15:44 Should we always be filming?
      • Capture as much as you can while you’re working (performing, songwriting)
    • 00:17:33 Audio quality is better than video quality
      • But there is the definition of “good enough”
      • Energy matters most. Make people ask, “who is this band?”
      • Create FOMO for people to come to your SHOW
    • 00:20:06 Creating cultural moments
      • Make people ask, “what is that?” “who is that?” “how can I be there next time?”
    • 00:22:52 Creating User Generated Content-style channels for your own band
    • 00:25:29 Dissecting Oasis’s creation of cultural moments
    • 00:27:33 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab
    • 00:28:51 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab
    • 00:30:46 Jack McCarthy, the musician
      • Creatives struggle the idea of marketing themselves. Am I being too salesy or cheesy? What am I sacrificing?
      • Answer: you’re not being salesy enough!
      • Always be performing means you can perform with your marketing, too
    • 00:36:19 Digging into the Billboard Hot 100’s Email Marketing
      • You probably aren’t sending enough email to your list.
      • Creative Juice Podcast about the Email Marketing of the Billboard Hot 100
    • 00:41:04 You are not competing against your competitors, you’re competing with everything else in the lives of your fans (family, job, etc)
      • People get distracted by life
    • 00:42:20 Posting one time is not enough – no one sees and digests everything you post
      • Gig Gab with Jan Hammer goes viral every time
    • 00:44:45 Get the content right first, THEN plug it into the advertising machine
      • Small Town Titans cover of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” went viral… every time.
      • Then advertise your viral content!
      • Be content first, then you have an asset that you can use on different platforms and different places
    • 00:48:32 Start selling to your fans
      • Give them something for free in exchange for their contact information
    • 00:49:30 Flatten the Revenue Rollercoaster
      • Build a content calendar
      • Build a sales promotion calendar
    • 00:51:46 Using AI to come up with ideas…and more?
      • Building internal workflows with agentic AI with tools like N8N
      • Copywriting
      • Brainstorming partner
      • Using it as a sounding board
      • AI greatly diminishes blank page syndrome
    • 00:55:09 Using Suno to write songs
      • Creative Juice episode on the legal concerns with Suno and
      • Coding with AI is a game-changers
    • 00:59:20 Look to the videos that inspire you, take cues from them, and then use that to pull your potential fans in
      • If you’ve already got an audience and wants to create sticky fans, come up with something to offer them (something you can sell, a record, early access, anything that lets them go a little bit deeper into your world)
    • 01:01:09 Gig Gab 501 Outtro
      • Follow Jack McCarthy
        • Indepreneur.io and IndeX
        • Follow Creative Juice Podcast
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Indie Music Mastery: Marketing, Email, and AI with Jack McCarthy — Gig Gab 501 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    Calories, Controversies, and Connections — 500 Episodes Later Sep 22, 2025
    Show notes Calories, Controversies, and Connections — 500 Episodes Later — Gig Gab 500 episode image

    Celebrating 500 episodes, you’re right in the middle of a musician’s playground with Dave, Mike Schulte, and Skylar Hamilton. You’ll hear how Skylar picked up the sticks to ace a school audition, why guitar lessons with Dad flopped, and what it takes to manage intensity behind the kit, especially as the decades wear on. From Clem Burke’s calorie-burning groove to the strange question of why drums wear covers, you’re reminded that rhythm is equal parts sweat, curiosity, and craft. Always Be Performing, whether it’s a practice room breakthrough or chasing the perfect sound on stage.

    The crew also dives into their favorite past episodes—Jan Hammer, Kenny Aronoff, and the time Dave encountered the perfect microphone in the middle of the woods. They break down the stats of 500 shows, debate cable-wrapping controversies, and swap dream guest lists ranging from Geddy Lee to Joe Jonas. It’s a candid look at what keeps Gig Gab thriving: learning from everyone, laughing at quirks, and spotlighting the passion that fuels musicians (and drummers!) alike.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 500 – Monday, September 22nd, 2025
      • September 22nd: National Family Day
      • Guest co-hosts: Mike Schulte, and Skylar Hamilton
    • 00:05:00 How did Skylar come to play drums?
      • Dad, I need you to teach me how to play the drums so I can pass an audition for the school band
      • “I knew my dad was cool.”
      • Daddy/daughter guitar lessons were a spectacular failure, but we approached drums differently…and succeeded!
    • 00:14:30 Daddy, why is there a cover on your drums?
    • 00:15:41 Re-learning our intensity levels as drummers
      • Keeping
      • Clem Burke burned 800 calories per hour drumming
    • 00:19:02 What are your favorite episodes?
      • Jan Hammer on Gig Gab
      • Kenny Aronoff on Gig Gab
      • Propofol Airlines on Gig Gab
    • 25:00 Four Chords and The Truth Tom Petty Tribute on Gig Gab
      • Pork Tornadoes Viral Video with Tennesee Whiskey
    • 00:31:55 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab
    • 00:33:24 PODCAST: Takin’ a Walk with Buzz Knight explores the insights from guests about musicians, bands, and the music they create.
    • 00:34:47 500 Episodes…The STATS!
      • 420 hours, 2 minutes, 27 seconds (through ep499)
        • Longest confirmed: Gig Gab 498 from September 8, 2025– “Always Be Recording…with Brad Madix” at 1:33:05
        • Shortest confirmed: Gig Gab 312 from July 12, 2021 – “The Ever Elusive “Great Sound”” at 24:42
    • 00:36:37 …and Dave Friesema listened to all of it!
      • Earthworks SV33…and then the Earthworks ETHOS
    • 00:42:36 Gig Gab Controversy: WRAP YOUR CABLES LIKE FOLDING SHEETS
      • Lowell Cross OG Recording Studio Engineers
    • 00:49:32 Interviewing people is about the interviewER, too.
    • 00:53:03 What are Skylar’s favorite episodes
      • Chinner Winstead on Gig Gab
      • Bakithi Kumalo on Gig Gab
    • 00:55:59 Dream Guest Co-Hosts
      • Geddy Lee
      • Alex Lifeson
      • Noel Gallagher
      • Liam Gallagher
      • Joe Jonas
    • 01:04:08 Trying not to fangirl
    • 01:05:55 Gig Gab 500 Outtro
      • Follow Mike Schulte
        • Confused Breakfast
        • The Pork Tornadoes
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Calories, Controversies, and Connections — 500 Episodes Later — Gig Gab 500 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    Stu Dias and The Ephemeral Sea Turtles Sep 15, 2025
    Show notes Stu Dias...and The Ephemeral Sea Turtles — Gig Gab 499 episode image

    This week on Gig Gab, you’ll dive into the wild, creative energy of Stu Dias, creator of Diaspora Radio, co-founder of Soggy Po Boys, and more, sitting in with Dave Hamilton. You’ll hear how albums, once carefully crafted statements, inspired Stu’s pandemic-born project to breathe new life into full-length records on stage. From Taylor Swift’s track order to Pink Floyd’s legendary flow, the talk turns to interpretation: should songs always evolve, or do they need their “rockin’ version” first, like Layla? Add in some debate over encores, the Sea Turtle attitude toward music scenes, and whether musicians actually want to see more bands on their night off, and you’ve got a ride that feels as lively as a late-night set.

    The conversation moves into the grit of band dynamics…knowing when you’re the engine and when you’re the fuel, handling GB gigs without losing your soul, and making sure new people feel welcome in the scene. Stu and Dave dig into rhythm, habit, and the beauty of live art that’s gone the second it happens; ephemeral, like sea turtles drifting by. You’ll explore the 80% Rule, the risks of saying no too often, and what it really means to keep people calling. Along the way: George Clinton, Funkadelic, and the reminder that what you play matters far less than how you make people feel. Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 499 – Monday, September 15th, 2025
      • September 8th: National Linguine Day
      • Guest co-host: Stu Dias from Diaspora Radio, Soggy Po Boys, and More
    • 00:03:35 Diaspora Radio came from Pandemic Thoughts
      • Sitting in the car with a buddy listening to albums… why not play them live?
      • People used to put a lot of time and care and passion into construction an album
      • Does that still happen? Does Taylor Swift care about running order?
      • Pink Floyd did. And so did other artists. And such… Diaspora Radio was born
    • 00:09:19 No encores…
      • Except Lovelight with American Beauty
    • 00:10:54 Band negotiations over songs
      • Should you do a different interpretation?
      • Layla’s second life as an acoustic version…but would it have happened without the original, rockin’ version first?
    • 00:15:36 When you gig and have a night off… do you want to go see another band in another club?
    • 00:16:08 Having a Sea Turtle attitude to approaching music
      • Every scene is different
    • 00:21:45 Forming different bands for different projects
      • Each group of people have different strengths
    • 00:23:54 Comparing New Hampshire seacoast to the New Orleans traditional jazz scene
      • The word “band” means a different thing
    • Sponsors
      • 00:25:40 SPONSOR: Gig Performer is a plugin host, an audio mixer, a backing tracks player, and more that gives you real-time control…live. Visit GigPerformer.com/GigGab for 10% off.
      • 00:27:40 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today!
    • 00:29:02 The shame of playing cover music in the wrong scene
      • Playing GB (aka General Business) gigs
      • Don’t break up the band!
    • 00:41:48 Taking a good scenario for granted
    • 00:44:46 Understanding when you’re the engine and when you’re the fuel
      • Dave Bang Drum
      • Learning to be the fuel to serve the engines of your band
    • 00:50:19 Bringing new people into the scene
      • And supporting those new people!
    • 00:53:30 The 80% Rule from Business Brain
    • 00:58:11 What happens when you say “no” too many times in a row?
      • People stop calling.
      • And then you get in your head. Did I upset them?
    • 01:02:23 On Stu leaving the Soggy Po’ Boys
      • Being a creature of habit in rhythm
    • 01:05:01 Don’t Think, Just Concentrate
    • 01:06:34 The ephemeral beauty of live art
      • “What are you gonna do? Go Back In time and change it? You’re in the future, man.”
      • Ephemeral Sea Turtles
    • 01:10:43 What drummer influenced Dave the most?
    • 01:13:57 What musician would Dave want to see if he could go back in time?
    • 01:17:45 Check out George Clinton’s work today
      • Stu: favorite band is Funkadelic
    • 01:18:16 What made Stu wanna play guitar?
      • What you play doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what you make people feel.
    • 01:23:43 What artist would Stu wanna see?
    • 01:26:06 Gig Gab 499 Outtro
      • Follow Stu Dias
        • DiasporaRadio.com
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Stu Dias and The Ephemeral Sea Turtles — Gig Gab 499 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    Always Be Recording...with Brad Madix Sep 08, 2025
    Show notes Always Be Recording...with Brad Madix — Gig Gab 498 episode image

    You’re revolutionizing live audio in ways that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Brad Madix joins Dave Hamilton to break down how you can now mix a 186-channel concert in ATMOS from thousands of miles away with only 125ms latency, using nothing more than the public internet and cloud services. Whether you’re handling a seven-minute festival changeover with 256 live channels or capturing audience ambiance with DPA 5100 surround mics, the technology exists to stream professional-quality audio anywhere. The game-changer? REMI (Remote Integration Model) eliminates the need for massive OB trucks by letting you send a simple box that plugs into the internet and streams everything to your remote mixing suite.

    Your mixing philosophy matters as much as your technical setup, thought, so remember to Always Be Performing by keeping your eyes up and watching the actual show instead of staying glued to your console. When someone complains “it’s too loud,” they usually mean the vocals aren’t cutting through the mix—a psychoacoustic principle that separates amateur from professional engineers. Document everything your band does, mix the first song in your mind before showtime, and understand that live music’s ephemeral nature means some magical moments will never be captured again. As AI tools like Suno emerge for songwriting, they’ll likely serve as assistants rather than replacements, but the human touch remains essential for reading the room and adapting to those unexpected MIDI malfunctions that can threaten to derail even legendary acts like Rush.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 498 – Monday, September 8th, 2025
      • September 8th: National Ampersand Day
      • Guest co-host: Brad Madix
    • 00:02:10 Mixing FOH this for Florence and The Machine
      • Festival NAPA Valley
    • 00:03:18 Recorded the Ozzy / Sabbath concert in Birmingham
      • First, rehearsals in Redditch – Fly By Nite
      • MADI from Bands
      • Elgato Stream Deck
    • 00:07:23 Doing a Seven Minute Changeover
      • Total of 256 live channels of inputs
      • 3 sets of 64 channels of analog inputs
      • 32 audience mics, plus presenters mics, plus a DJ, etc
      • And then the band on stage
    • 00:10:44 What is MADI?
      • Most live consoles allow a MADI output (some via add-on connector)
      • The Rival Suns at Ozzy / Sabbath in Birmingham sent pre-mixed drums, etc
      • Using DPA 5100 Mobile Surround 5.1 microphones for audience capture
      • Brad and team were submixing the live audience mics
    • 00:22:29 Live Music is Ephemeral
      • Some things don’t get recorded
      • Robert Scovill’s Back Lounge
    • 00:26:38 Document everything your band does
    • 00:28:44 Rush felt like it was important to have something “in the can”
    • 00:30:56 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab
    • 00:32:53 SPONSOR: Mechanical Licensing Collective – Are you a songwriter, music publisher, or administrator? Every month, The MLC collects the streaming data and royalties from Spotify and Apple Music, matches the money to the creator who has earned it, and then pays out the royalties due. Visit TheMLC.com today to sign up!
    • 00:34:20 Time for REMI – Remote Integration Model for Live Broadcast
      • Normal/big money broadcast would roll an OB Truck – 53 foot long trailer with a video switching system, producer calling the shots, audio mixing suite, everything.
      • REMI uses the internet to stream signal to a remote suite
      • IMAG for video.
    • 00:41:42 New model: Send a box, plug it into the internet, done.
      • Why can’t you stream a live concert the same way you stream live sports?
      • Swatch Internet Time
    • 00:45:18 Time for some testing
      • A new year’s eve show as a proof of concept
      • 186 channels of 48kHz remotely from Atlanta to Philadelphia and mixed the show in ATMOS
      • Only 125ms of latency.
      • 4K Video
    • 00:48:22 Avoiding sync-based digital distortion/clicking
      • RX 11 Voice De-Noise
    • 00:52:53 Delay by Distance… an explanation
    • 00:54:31 Mixing Remotely
      • Hamilton (in New York) was mixed from Australia
      • Clair Global Audio
      • Done on the public internet using Amazon Web Services
    • 01:01:06 Mixing live remotely?
    • 01:02:52 Could AI mix a show?
      • Suno AI for writing songs
    • 01:09:32 AI as an assistant engineer, not a replacement?
    • 01:11:48 As a live engineer, make sure you watch the show. Get your eyes up.
      • Step away from the desk. It sounds different.
    • 01:15:04 Before the show, mix the first song in your mind
    • 01:18:56 Rush Story: Subdivisions… first song of the show. MIDI malfunctions, keyboard stops.
    • 01:24:20 Dissecting Psychoacoustics
      • “It’s Too Loud” often means “vocals aren’t loud enough”
    • 01:25:29 Story time with (Brad and Dave)
      • You’ll have to listen to hear these!
    • 01:30:35 Gig Gab 498 Outtro
      • Follow Brad Madix
        • Diablo Digital
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Always Be Recording…with Brad Madix — Gig Gab 498 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    Keith Murray on The Chaos, Comedy, and Heart Behind We Are Scientists Sep 01, 2025
    Show notes Keith Murray on The Chaos, Comedy, and Heart Behind We Are Scientists — Gig Gab 497 EPISODE IMAGE

    Keith Murray from We Are Scientists joins you this week for a sharp, hilarious, and revealing ride. From joking about being background extras in cult films to the story of meeting Chris Cain at a Dawson’s Creek viewing party, you’re reminded that sometimes saying yes to everything really can lead to magic. Keith reflects on 20 years of With Love and Squalor, the way nostalgia feels different than expected, and how the band has thrived through bullheaded persistence and genuine friendship. Along the way, you’ll hear about balancing rock with comedy, learning when to bail, and embracing the butterfly-of-chaos moments that turn near-disaster into beauty.

    You’ll also get insights into the We Are Scientists ethos and how building fan connection went far beyond music, from early multimedia websites to zines and weird videos that built a “true fans” culture before it was cool. Touring is still about competing with people’s couches, but the band’s vibe keeps fans engaged like they’re part of the hang. The big takeaway? Whether you’re on stage, creating content, or just navigating the chaos, the key is to Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 497 – Monday, September 1st, 2025
      • Guest co-host: Keith Murray from We Are Scientists
    • 00:01:18 It’s It’s Qualifying Miles…not Qualifying Minds
    • 00:02:20 September 1st: National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day
    • 00:03:36 Wanting to be a background player in a Final Destination film, or the Anaconda series
      • Butterfly of Chaos
    • 00:06:51 Seeing Oasis in Toronto…Separately!
      • Deciding Not To Find Things Objectionable
    • 00:13:18 We Are Scientists at Emo’s with Bill Murray in 2010
    • 00:20:18 Qualifying Miles, the new album
      • It’s more about wondering why I’m not more nostalgic?
      • It’s been 20 years since With Love and Squalor came out
      • Revisiting those moments from the past…but noticing that they matter less than we anticipated
    • 00:25:00 Chris Cain and Keith met at a 1997 Dawson’s Creek viewing party
      • Pomona College in California
      • Say yes to everything
    • 00:29:14 On being part rock band, part comedy act
    • 00:35:56 Is the crowd rooting for you, or scrutinizing you?
    • 00:39:46 At the Precipice of Disaster but Delivering Beauty like a Butterfly of Chaos
    • 00:42:45 Knowing when to bail
    • 00:44:04 Why is We Are Scientists successful after 20 years (and counting)?
      • One reason…Bullheaded persistence: we still want to be doing this!
      • We are still best friends. We still would be hanging out regardless of the band.
      • Another… the vibe of WAS is pretty good. Our fans feel like they’re doing things with friends.
    • 00:48:05 How do you engage with your fans between shows?
      • Even in 2002, the website was not all about music. It had fiction writing, weird videos
      • The website was a media concern built to be serving their “true fans”
    • 00:52:34 The Twin Town Gazette: Chris and Keith
      • Dave Eggers – MacSweeney’s
      • We Are Scientists have always been a multimedia concern…even before the band was formed
    • 00:57:52 Getting meta: discussing interview styles
    • 01:02:12 We Are Scientists on Tour in US, Canada, and UK this fall
      • Competing with the couch!
    • 01:05:41 Gig Gab 497 Outtro
      • Follow We Are Scientists
        • IG: @wearescientists
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Keith Murray on The Chaos, Comedy, and Heart Behind We Are Scientists — Gig Gab 497 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    When Your Band Replaces You… and How to Replace Them Back Aug 25, 2025
    Show notes When Your Band Replaces You… and How to Replace Them Back — Gig Gab 496 episode image

    This week, you’ll hear how Paul Kent is clocking an impressive 160 gigs this year while navigating the realities of new bands, new towns, and the politics of live music scenes. From the sting of finding out your band might replace you, to turning that around with a “sub for a sub” mindset, Paul shares what it’s like to balance loyalty, opportunity, and staying sharp on stage. You’ll get a peek into the 27-year run of The Houserockers, tackling shows without a co-lead singer, and the ever-present “it’s my calendar” problem every working musician knows too well.

    Dave and Paul dig into why a full band creates better music, the importance of subs in keeping the show alive, and even prepping for difficult productions. This sparks a deep dive into the question every musician should answer: what is your brand? Whether you’re juggling hundreds of gigs or building your scene from scratch, the takeaway is clear: Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 496 – Monday, August 25th, 2025
      • August 25th: International Banana Split Day (also Gene Simmons and Billy Ray Cyrus’s Birthdays!)
      • Guest co-host: Paul Kent
    • 00:02:40 160 Gigs this year for Paul!
    • 00:05:06 Wait…who is Paul Kent?
    • 00:09:00 Starting anew with a new band in a new place is… tough!
      • Scenes are a thing…and there’s regionality to it!
      • What happens when your band wants to replace you…some of the time?
      • It’s never fun to find out that your band is plotting without you.
      • Effectively: “If you’re going to sub me out, I have to sub you out, too.”
    • 00:19:32 Paul’s band, The Houserockers, are in their 27th year!
    • 00:20:19 Doing gigs without your co-leadsinger
      • Stinkfoot Orchestra, Nick’s Zappa tribute
    • 00:25:55 The “it’s my calendar” problem
    • 00:29:00 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today!
    • 00:30:25 SPONSOR: Gig Performer is a plugin host, an audio mixer, a backing tracks player, and more that gives you real-time control…live. Visit GigPerformer.com/GigGab for 10% off.
    • 00:32:16 A Band Makes For Better Music
      • Adam Moskowitz on Gig Gab
    • 00:43:53 Prepping for Taylor Swift
    • 00:46:15 Subs are important to making the show happen
    • 00:47:14 Dave Friesema listened to … every episode of Gig Gab ever… and had some thoughts!
    • 00:49:06 What is your brand?
    • 00:50:40 Gig Gab 494 Outtro
      • Follow Paul Kent
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post When Your Band Replaces You… and How to Replace Them Back — Gig Gab 496 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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