Gig Gab - The Working Musicians' Podcast

Dive into the world of music and neuroscience with Daniel Levitin on this week’s Gig Gab! Join him and Dave Hamilton as they unpack Dan’s upcoming book, “I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine”, releasing August 27th. Discover the intricacies of the Default Mode Network, and how […] The post How Music Heals: Daniel Levitin on the Neuroscience of Sound — Gig Gab 444 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Get ready to dive into Dave Hamilton’s action-packed summer as he recounts his nonstop gig schedule, from Bitter Pill’s high-energy performances to subbing with way-too-many bands, and his next adventure with a new band, Casual Gravity. With gigs piling up and Podcast Movement on the horizon, you’ll hear how Dave […] The post The Performer’s Summer: Nonstop Gigs, Fresh Gear, and New Beginnings — Gig Gab 443 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week on Gig Gab, dive into the fascinating journey of Kirk Hamilton, a saxophonist turned podcaster, who brings a wealth of musical insight to the table. Starting as a student at the University of Miami’s Jazz Program, Kirk’s path led him from songwriting and guitar playing to forming the […] The post Strong Songs Unveiled: Kirk Hamilton’s Musical Exploration — Gig Gab 442 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week’s Gig Gab podcast brings you an electrifying episode with Brian Ray, diving deep into his illustrious career and the recent release of his latest album, “My Town.” You’ll kick off with a fun story as Brian shares tales from his Halloween 1973 tour supporting Monster Mash, including the […] The post My Town & Beyond: Brian Ray’s Journey from Monster Mash to McCartney’s Stage — Gig Gab 441 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In this week’s Gig Gab episode, guest co-host Mike Schulte teams up with Dave Hamilton to tackle the world of music with humor and insight, and maybe a little controversy. They dive into why musicians often shun karaoke, dubbing it “beer league singing”—but that’s not a bad thing! Mike shares […] The post Tribute Bands, Pink Slips, and Taylor Swift — Gig Gab 440 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Dive into this episode of Gig Gab as Dave Hamilton walks you through setting up your digital mixer like a pro. From the basics of setting your input gain to the intricacies of dialing in compression, you’ll master the essential skills needed to get your sound just right. Dave breaks […] The post Digital Mixers 101: Essential Tips on Gain, Compression, EQ, and Beyond — Gig Gab 439 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week’s Gig Gab is a must-listen as journeyman drummer Tris Imboden joins Dave Hamilton, bringing a wealth of musical history and wisdom. Dive into Tris’s fascinating career, from growing up in the musically rich Orange County, to the unforgettable moment he saw The Beatles live, despite barely hearing them […] The post Tris Imboden Talks Rock ‘n’ Roll, In-Ear Monitors, Kenny Loggins, and More — Gig Gab 438 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In this week’s Gig Gab, Dave Hamilton is joined by Lara Supan from Midwood Entertainment to dive deep into the role of a booking agent for developing bands. Lara teaches us that a booking agent excels in routings, venue knowledge, negotiation, and strategy, but they won’t grow your fanbase or […] The post The Ultimate Booking Agent Guide for Bands with Lara Supan — Gig Gab 437 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Join Dave Hamilton and guest co-host Mike Schulte from Pork Tornadoes and Confused Breakfast on Gig Gab 436! Dive into the wild world of subbing as a drummer, but beware—your online persona might just scare off potential gigs by making you seem too busy. Mike shares hilarious tales and sage […] The post Song-Learning Tips and Cover Band Greatness — Gig Gab 436 with Mike Schulte appeared first on Gig Gab.

Dive into Gig Gab 435 where Dave Hamilton teams up with guest co-host Adam Johnson from Cover Band Confidential for an electrifying episode. They kick things off with recent gig adventures, including the thrill of corporate live band karaoke and the indispensable value of rehearsals when subbing. Adam and Dave […] The post Staying Awake with Music, Mixers, and Motivation — Gig Gab 435 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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. […] The post The Band to Business Evolution with Crisco — Gig Gab 434 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post From Sit-In to Album Release: Heather Smith’s Musical Journey — Gig Gab 433 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Cleaning Up Your In-Ears Mix…And Your Ears — Gig Gab 432 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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. […] The post Gems, Gear, & Gigs! — Gig Gab 431 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Three Decades of Harmony: Bob Vose on Fortune’s Formula for Staying Together — Gig Gab 430 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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 […] The post Nerding Out About Live Sound with Robert Scovill — Gig Gab 429 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week on Gig Gab, Mike Schulte returns for a lively discussion on the finesse of live performances band dynamics. He and Dave Hamilton kick off with a chat about “Playing ‘Less’ for More Money,” exploring how reducing the number of gigs you play can lead to greater impact and […] The post Avoiding Rats Nests — Gig Gab 428 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In the latest episode of Gig Gab, you’ll catch Eric Jackson and Carlo Carluccio from Boston’s own Best Not Broken sharing their journey from cover band roots to rocking high-energy performances with a mix of originals and covers, including an unforgettable opening gig for Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room. They spill […] The post Self-Promotion and Redheaded Air Drummers with Best Not Broken — Gig Gab 427 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In the latest episode of Gig Gab, Matt Musty, a seasoned pro known for his work with Train, Grace Potter, and others, joins Dave Hamilton to share invaluable insights into the diverse roles a musician can play—be it a team player in a band setting or a versatile session artist. […] The post Refreshments & Rapport with Train’s Matt Musty — Gig Gab 426 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week on Gig Gab, Dave Hamilton welcomes guest cohost Adam Moskowitz from VAM Band, diving deep into the essence of musicianship and leadership. Adam shares his unique perspective on structuring your band life around personal commitments, showcasing how he manages the VAM Band. The discussion peels back the layers […] The post Demolishing Walls & Pulling Teeth with Adam Moskowizard — Gig Gab 425 appeared first on Gig Gab.