Gig Gab - The Working Musicians' Podcast Dave Hamilton & Friends
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- Music
Wanna talk shop with your musical buddies? Look no further than GigGab! Each week Dave Hamilton and friends come to you sharing their gigging experiences, tips and tricks learned, and interviews with other weekend warriors and pros.
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The Band to Business Evolution with Crisco
In this week’s Gig Gab podcast, Dave Hamilton teams up with guest co-host Crisco to dive into the dynamic world of keeping a band on the road. They kick things off with some fun banter about “Take Your Cat To Work Day” before jumping into the nitty-gritty of band management. From the chaos of uncoordinated coordination to the crucial role of spreadsheets, they explore the transition from musician to manager. You’ll get practical tips like taking contract screenshots for those times when you’re off the grid and gain insights into making music in the ever-evolving post-pandemic scene.
As the discussion heats up, they talk about tools like Artist Growth Workspace and Master Tour that streamline the touring process. Discover how bands like Bella’s Bartok and Mama’s Marmalade navigate their journeys from band to business, and how adding live drums can transform a band’s sound, as seen with Bitter Pill. Live music is more than just sound—it’s a visual art, and your best role might be yet to be discovered. With anecdotes from playing three bands in one night to must-listen recommendations like the Strong Songs Podcast and Questlove Supreme, you’ll leave inspired to Always Be Performing.
00:00:00 Gig Gab 434 – Monday, June 17th, 2024
June 17th: Take Your Cat To Work Day
Guest Co-Host: Crisco
00:03:00 Keeping a band on the road
Bella’s Bartok
00:06:05 Uncoordinated Coordination leads to Management!
Spreadsheets vs. Songs
From Musician to Manager
00:11:09 Making Music in the Evolving Post-Pandemic Scene
00:17:42 Artist Growth Workspace
Master Tour
00:22:57 Tip: Take contract screenshots of your deals so you can access them when you don’t have service
00:23:55 From Band to Business
Mama’s Marmalade
00:29:06 Adding Live Drums (the Evolution of Bitter Pill)
00:31:55 Live Music is a Visual Art
00:33:57 Discovering Your Best Role
Playing with Three Bands in One Night
00:38:50 Are You Still Playing?
00:46:04 What are you listening to?
Strong Songs Podcast
Questlove Supreme
Gig Gab 432 Outtro
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Contact Gig Gab!
@GigGabPodcast on Instagram
feedback@giggabpodcast.com
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From Sit-In to Album Release: Heather Smith's Musical Journey
In this episode of Gig Gab, Dave Hamilton is joined by Heather Smith and Paul Giovine, diving into the serendipity of musical connections. Heather shares how a chance meeting led to her cautiously getting on stage for the first time when Dave played with Simon Santiago five years ago. Last month, Heather released an record of her original tunes!
From her first time on stage with a band to releasing her own album, Heather’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence. She recounts how a Craigslist ad for a bass player unexpectedly turned her into a backup singer and then eventually into a lead singer…as a sub at first! Heather also reveals the struggle of starting her own band, Glitter & Camo, and the internal battle of convincing herself not to give up.
Heather, Paul, and Dave discuss the evolution of EPs and the importance of taking small, manageable steps to handle uncomfortable situations. They emphasize the idea that success often finds you when you least expect it, rather than the other way around. The episode highlights practical tips for cueing a band and the dynamics of playing covers in an original band. Throughout, the message is clear: Always Be Performing, and don’t let self-doubt hold you back from your musical ambitions.
Cover image from 2019, when Dave, Simon, and Heather played together (Heather’s first time on stage!)
00:00:00 Gig Gab 433 – Monday, June 10th, 2024
June 10th: National Egg Roll Day
Guest Co-Host: Heather Smith and Paul Giovine (Heather’s drummer)
00:01:34 Met Because of Gig Gab
Dave played with Simon Santiago…and Heather sat in! – Gig Gab 213 (The “Acoustic Confidence” section)
00:04:15 From First time on Stage with a Band to Releasing Her Own Album
00:07:17 Craigslist Ad for a Bass Player leads to becoming a Backup Singer
00:09:28 The Benefits and Pitfalls of hiring good subs!
00:12:19 Starting her own band
Glitter & Camo
00:13:27 Spending Energy Convincing Yourself NOT To Do It
Giving Your Inner Judge Too Much Time
00:15:16 Why do we call things EPs? They’re not Extended (anymore)
00:21:11 Taking Little, Manageable Steps to Deal With the Awkward Uncomfortable Feelings
It’s Never Going To Be Perfect
The You You Never Got To Be
00:24:35 Don’t Take It For Granted
00:26:29 Success Finds You, not the other way around
00:27:10 Cueing a Band
Beware the Law of Attraction
00:32:00 Playing Covers in an Original Band
00:36:43 Finding Heather Smith on Facebook
00:40:45 Gig Gab 432 Outtro
Find Heather Smith on Facebook
Or on Apple Music
Or on Spotify
Or on YouTube
Or the Blue22 Studio Website
Contact Gig Gab!
Share the show!
@GigGabPodcast on Instagram
feedback@giggabpodcast. -
Cleaning Up Your In-Ears Mix...And Your Ears
In this week’s Gig Gab, with guest cohost Daniel East returning to join Dave Hamilton, you dive into the essentials of managing your hearing and gear during and after gigs. Amanda’s question about affordable in-ear monitors (IEMs) leads to recommendations including the Sennheiser IE100 Pro and Juicy Earz, highlighting the importance of investing in quality gear without breaking the bank. Remember, the goal is to “Always Be Performing” at your best, and that includes protecting your most valuable asset – your hearing.
The discussion then moves to the finer points of creating the perfect IEM mix. They emphasize starting from zero, building your levels up gradually, and ensuring no two instruments occupy the same stereo space. Trust both your ears and eyes when adjusting your mix, and keep it simple by taking as little as possible from the main mix. Wrapping up, they provide practical tips on ear care, such as using ear bulb syringes and avoiding ear candling. Stay sharp, stay safe, and keep performing at your peak!
00:00:00 Gig Gab 432 – Monday, June 3rd, 2024
June 3rd: Old Time Player Piano Day (but Friday was National Save Your Hearing Day)
Guest Co-Host: Daniel East
00:01:58 Recent Gigs
Jay Bernedo
00:10:16 Let your ears rest after the gig
00:12:34 Amanda-Which IEMs for $300 or less?
00:16:15 Listen FIRST
00:17:34 Listen Advice
Human Voice
Decay of Reverb
Fingers on guitar strings
Thump of the low end
00:19:23 Fitting them in
00:19:38 Recommended Earphones
Sennheiser IE100 Pro – $98
Future Sonics G10 – $160 with code on site
Linsoul KZ ZS10 5-driver Universal fit – $49.99
Dunu Falcon Ultra – $220
Audix A10X – $229
WAVS Custom – Duals start at $199/ear – Ear molds with your iPhone
Juicy Earz – Starts at $298
Alclair Affordable Custom In-Ears on Gig Gab
00:30:03 Headphone Amps
Rolls PM55p
Albatros Audio PH9C (about $450, custom build)
Rupert Neve RNHP Headphone Amplifier – $599 on Amazon
RNDI DI Box – $299 on Amazon
00:43:24 When creating an IEM mix, trust both your eyes and ears
Allen & Heath ME-1
00:46:58 Creating the best IEM Mix
Start from Zero
Bring yourself up to 75%
Then bring everything else up
If stereo: nothing dead-center, no two instruments in the same “space”
Take as LITTLE as possible. -
Gems, Gear, & Gigs!
Welcome to another exciting episode of Gig Gab! This week, Dave Hamilton dives into the whirlwind of recent and upcoming gigs, tackling six gigs with five different bands in June alone. He also discusses the challenges of playing a gig without in-ear monitors and the invaluable lessons from recent guests. From Robert Scovill’s advice on delaying mains in any size room to Mike Schulte’s insights on using a splitter snake for easier setups, and Chris Breen’s reminder to read the stage as well as the room, there’s plenty to learn. Remember, “Always Be Performing” as you take these tips to your own gigs.
In the Gear Gab segment, Dave highlights the Earthworks SR117 microphone and explores the latest tools of the trade, including Adam’s suggestion to use Suno’s AI for creating theme songs for your band. Dave also shares how you can use Spotify URLs to enhance your playlists when prepping for gigs. Listener Mike shares one his recent favorite podcasts, Strong Songs’ “Limb By Limb” episode for nerding out on song dissections.
As always, Dave is eager for your feedback about the show and what projects you’re involved in. Keep innovating, and never forget to “Always Be Good to Hang With!”
00:00:00 Gig Gab 431 – Monday, May 27th, 2024
May 27th: Old Time Player Piano Day
00:01:41 What do you want from the show?
I’m going to be asking for a lot of feedback, but don’t worry… I’ll tell you what to tell me. 🙂
00:02:40 Recent and Upcoming Gigs
June: 6 gigs, 5 different bands
What are you playing?
What projects are you in?
00:10:57 Played a gig with no IEMs. Ugh.
00:17:17 Debrief from recent guests.
Robert Scovill on GG429: Delaying our mains, no matter how small the room!
Chris Breen on GG420: Reading the stage is just as important as reading the room…take a break!
Mike Schulte on GG421: The value of a splitter snake or a custom loom to make setup easier (and yes, he makes us think about eDrums, too!)
Roland VAD
Ef-Note
Bob Vose on GG430: Keeping a band together
Matt Musty on GG426: Think Bigger…and Always Be Good to Hang With
Best Not Broken on GG427: Don’t podcast from your bicycle!
Adam Moskowizard on GG425: Always Be Innovating!
00:31:57 SPONSOR: Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a stunning website and online store for your music in minutes. Try it free for 30 days, then use promo code “giggabpod” to get 15% off your first year.
Tools of the Trade
00:35:07 Adam-CSF-Suno to use AI to Create Theme Songs
00:44:20 You can paste in a list of Spotify URLs to flesh out a playlist! -
Three Decades of Harmony: Bob Vose on Fortune's Formula for Staying Together
Dive into this week’s Gig Gab podcast, where Dave Hamilton and guest co-host Bob Vose tackle the highs and lows of a musician’s journey. From the golden days of Fortune’s original reign to navigating the challenging shifts brought by grunge, Bob dishes out stories of the Peanut Butter & Jelly Tour, selling out 700-seat venues, and the reality of playing “risky” songs that most bands avoid. With nods to industry greats like Boston and Queensryche, and tales of relentless rehearsal schedules, Bob reminds us that even as trends change, the secret to longevity is to “Always Be Performing.”
They explore Fortune’s evolution from originals to covers, underscoring the necessity of putting “fannies in the seats”, starting with the tried-and-true formula: one cover, two originals, repeat. Vose shares insights on preserving your voice, the chemistry of a tight-knit band, and how to keep shows fresh…all while handling uninvited guests on stage!
Whether you’re playing Foreplay/Long Time or Stairway to Heaven, the art of performing is vital, so remember: maintain your voice, rehearse responsibly, and deliver every show like it’s your last!
00:00:00 Gig Gab 430 – Monday, May 20th, 2024
May 20th: International Red Sneakers Day
00:01:06 Bob Vose from Fortune
00:02:07 From Originals to Covers
Boston, Journey, Yes, Queensryche
Big Vocals, Harmony Guitars
Pete Destefano from Fortune (band)
Entrain – Brian Allen
00:04:20 From
Mark Bistony (drummer)
00:04:46 Pushing an Odometerless Winnebago Over the Hill
00:07:56 Peanut Butter & Jelly Tour
Learning the Music Business The Hard Way
Huge in Japan!
00:10:23 Grunge Came in and ended Fortune’s Original-only reign
New Formula: One cover, two originals, repeat
Gotta Put Fannies in The Seats
00:11:11 Now in 2023, Selling out 600-700 seat venues
Bill Plor, Guitar
00:12:39 Still Playing Percussion on Frankenstein
Louis Spagnola, bass player
00:13:22 Keeping a band together for three decades
Added Chris Lester (from Sully Urna, Dark Desert Eagles)
00:16:26 Preserving Your Voice
00:17:58 Playing the “Risky” Songs That No ONe Else Attempts To Do
00:18:45 Dirty Water — with Barry Goudreaux, Sib Hashian…and Bob Vose
00:21:34 Sibby Hashian on Legends of Rock Cruise
00:24:43 Steve Baker
00:26:45 How Many Bands are You In?
Brian Maes
A small family linking many bands together
Bob is Very Proud of the Talent In His Band
00:30:45 The Chemistry of a Rehearsed Band
Carry On Wayward Son
a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch? -
Nerding Out About Live Sound with Robert Scovill
In this week’s episode of Gig Gab, Robert Scovill brings his wealth of live audio expertise to the show. As a front-of-house engineer for legendary acts like Tom Petty, Prince, Kenny Chesney, and Rush, Scovill shares the art of balancing sound in massive stadiums while ensuring the audience gets a crystal-clear experience, especially in the crucial front-fill zone. He emphasizes the importance of integrity, stating that “facts are not truth” in the quest to blend technical perfection with the creative essence of the artists. He advises managing the trade-offs inherent to audio mixing, as live music remains a visual art form where “Always Be Performing” is key. Scovill discusses managing sound for Kenny Chesney’s stadium tour and recounts working with Matchbox 20 on a silent stage, sharing how cell phone videos can be instrumental in helping to reveal potential audio issues.
Scovill dives deep into drum audio techniques, recommending starting with stereo overheads and advising against isolating the drums in an “aquarium.” He also explores his favorite microphones and explains why in-ear monitors (IEMs) have positively impacted performers.
Scovill wraps up with stories from touring with Rush and insights into beamforming technology at U2’s innovative Sphere shows. Throughout the episode, he remains open to ideas and resources, underscoring the importance maintaining audio integrity and continually refining one’s craft in pursuit of perfect live sound.
Press play and enjoy, folks…and always be performing!
00:00:00 Gig Gab 429 – Monday, May 13th, 2024
May 13th: National Apple Pie Day
Robert Scovill — FOH sound … for the rest of us! (That is, when we’ve gone to see Prince, Tom Petty, Rush, Jackson Browne, and nowadays Kenny Chesney!)
00:02:00 An Educator at his core
00:03:05 Importance of Integrity
Facts are Not Truth
00:06:33 This is Adult Audio – Doing Stadiums for the Kenny chesney Tour
00:08:18 Open to All Resources and ideas
Diction as a priority
Live Music is a Visual Art – Attendees Need TO See The Artist
45ft off the ground (vs. 25ft in arenas)
00:11:19 Making it sound good in front of the stage as it does everywhere else
The Front Fill Zone – Separate PA with different mix, panning, positioning
EAW Adaptive PA
00:16:16 The Technique of Mixing Right In Front of The Stage
Balance the stage first
“Audio is About Managing Trade-offs”
Making Petty Sound Good
00:24:33 Live stages… ampless vs. just drums
Silent Stages with Matchbox 20
00:26:58 Beware Room Reflections
Cell Phone Videos Will Highlight This
00:30:37 In-Ear Monitors… Because why not?
IEMs Affect Performers…Positively!
…so long as you can hear in an ensemble
…and don’t sing too quietly
00:35:34 Managing Drummers (and Singing Drummers)
Start with Stereo Overheads
00:39:34 Don’t Put the Drums in An Aquarium
It’s a Last Resort!
Drum Shields in The Sphere
00:41:56 U2 at The Sphere
00:44:20 Beamforming Sound at The Sphere
The Sphere Aronofsky Movie
00:46:54 Gear Gab: Microphones for Drums and Singing Drummers
a href="https://heilsound.