Backstage Secrets: 12 Months of Band Life Tips

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

As 2024 comes to a close, this special episode of Gig Gab takes you on a month-by-month journey through some of the best tips and advice shared by musicians and industry pros this year. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting your musical journey, there’s something for everyone in this episode. From mastering your sound to connecting with fans, these practical insights will help you fine-tune your craft and grow your career in 2025.

You’ll hear advice from names like Bakithi Kumalo on consistency and listening to your fellow musicians, Buck Dharma on appreciating the moment, and Parthenon Huxley on being the kind of person others want to work with. Learn how to negotiate fees effectively, delay mains for better sound alignment, and use tools like splitter snakes and Spotify playlists to enhance your performances. Each month brings new gems of wisdom, making this episode a one-stop guide for working musicians.

To top it all off, the episode reflects on the contributions of countless guests who have shared their stories and expertise throughout the year. It’s a celebration of collaboration, growth, and the shared passion for live music that defines the Gig Gab community. Tune in and get inspired to make 2025 your best year yet. Always Be Performing!

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 462 – Monday, December 30, 2024
  • December 30th: Patti Smith and Davy Jones Birthday!
• Tips by Month:
• 00:03:02 January
  • Frank Wartinger (audiologist) on…being in a band: Think of your band as being made up of entrées and side dishes — You’re usually the side dish!
  • Dan East on food: Ask the bar staff where THEY eat.
  • Billy Butler on lighting: light number one goes in front of the performer at a 45-degree angle
• 00:06:04 February
  • Brad Madix on mixing with style: When turning off effects for between-song chatter, mute the *sends*, not the returns
• 00:07:59 March
  • Mike Schulte on the value of a Splitter Snake
• 00:12:51 April
  • Adam Moskowitz on negotiating your fee:
    • “Here’s our asking price. If for some reason that doesn’t work for you, let’s chat.”
    • “I want to make sure I pay everyone well.”
    • “We were paid [x] recently…Does That Work For You?”
• 00:14:48 May
  • Bob Vose on delivering quality: Rehearse because it’s responsible.
  • Robert Scovill on sound: delay the mains to match the distance from the snare
• 00:23:32 June
  • Adam Johnson, talking about the BAND system: “Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from STARTING”
  • Crisco, on managing your band: Take contract screenshots of your deals so you can access them when you don’t have service.
• 00:26:01 SPONSOR: HelloBand, a fan engagement app that connects you with your fans while you’re on stage making it simple and effective to bring your live shows to the next level. GIGGAB20 gets you 20% off!
• 00:28:50 PODCAST: One Hit Thunder dives into music’s most unforgettable one-hit wonders, exploring whether these iconic songs brought the thunder or were just a one-hit blunder.
• 00:30:08 July
  • Digital Mixers 101…a primer!
  • Tris Imboden on keeping a band together: You Keep a Band Together by Having Personnel Changes
  • Lara Supan on selling tickets to your events: Spotify Playlists can help… within reason
• 00:33:15 August
  • Dan Levitin, channeling Parthenon Huxley talking about under-attended gigs: “Don’t Punish The People Who Showed Up”
  • Brian Ray on creating your career: Always say Yes!
• 00:35:39 September
  • Bakithi Kumalo on Keeping Your Career Going:
    • “Be consistent, show up. That’s how you get the gig.”
    • “Sing what you play.”
    • “Listen to what everyone else is doing.”
  • Daniel East on teaching: Teach your students how to maintain and tune their instruments in addition to playing them.
• 00:38:44 October
  • Matt McGlynn on selecting the right mic: Microphones are EQ devices
  • Gary Burr: OMG just go read Reunion!
  • Froggy on mixing live shows: “You’re not producing a record out there, you’re making them louder.”
• 00:41:46 November
  • Buck Dharma on Blue Öyster Cult’s career: The time to see BoC is now!
  • Pooch on feedback elimination: Use the Waves PSE Plugin
• 00:45:42 December
  • Parthenon Huxley on tips to keep working:
    • Show Up On Time
    • Be The Most Fun Guy In The Room
    • Don’t Be a Dick
    • Oh…and be Super Talented
  • Bruce Bennett on growing your band’s business: Don’t wait for someone to invite you to level-up
  • Scott Smith on attracting fans: Think like a non-profit and embody and communicate a mission
• 00:50:51 Tom Jarvis from Casual Gravity
• 00:52:49 Thanks to everyone who was a part of Gig Gab this year, in no particular order: Billy Butler, Daniel East, Mike Schulte, Brad Madix, Dallas Corbin, Daniel Levitin, Kirk Hamilton, Brian Ray, Tris Imboden, Lara Supan, Frank Wartinger, Adam Johnson, Crisco, Heather Smith, Paul Giovine, Robert Scovill, Chris Breen, Bob Vose, Matt Musty, Best Not Broken, Adam Moskowitz (Moskowizard!), Dave Cook, Lewis Fawcett, Matt Gibson, Dallas Taylor, Scott Smith, Tom Jarvis, Parthenon Huxley, Pooch, Susie Major, Buck Dharma, Matt McGlynn, Bryan “Froggy” Cross, Bob Levitus, Dusty Wright, Bakithi Kumalo, and Paul Kent.
• 00:54:16 Gig Gab 462 Outtro
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