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  • AI and Music for Working Musicians: Tool, Threat, or Bandmate?

    AI and Music for Working Musicians: Tool, Threat, or Bandmate?
    2026/06/01

    This week Stu Dias joins Dave from a slightly different corner of Durham, New Hampshire, and after a quick detour through barefoot drumming, sweaty-hand fixes, and oversized triangle guitar picks, the conversation locks onto the question every working musician is wrestling with right now: what does AI mean for music? You’ll hear why Dave reframes it as Assistive Intelligence (and the best procrastination-killer and writer’s-block-buster going) even as you stare down the harder stuff: Suno-generated tracks, Jack Tempchin’s AI-assisted album, and the ouroboros of machines learning from the music we make. Should AI art be labeled? What happens when it conjures someone’s likeness? And does any of it move you the way a human in a room can?

    That last question is the heartbeat of the episode. Dave and Stu weigh AI music against the cover-band hustle, remember what COVID lockdowns taught us about humans craving real humans together, and get honest about whose jobs are actually on the line and where AI mixing fits in your workflow. The kicker for every gigging musician: if the machines are going to use your voice and your playing, take a long-term cut of the sales. It’s a sharp, funny, occasionally unsettling look at the line between tool and threat…and a reminder that however the tech shakes out, you Always Be Performing. Hit play for the full conversation.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 536 – Monday, June 1st, 2026
      • May 25th: National Barefoot Day
      • Guest co-host: Stu Dias
    • 00:00:56 Playing drums barefoot
    • 00:02:34 Iontophoresis for sweaty feet and hands
    • 00:05:05 We all have our own thing for ourselves
      • Large guitar picks for Stu. Equilateral triangles!
    • 00:07:03 AI and Music
    • 00:12:40 AI is the best procrastination eliminator
      • It helps with writer’s block
      • AI Based Plugins and Compressors are fantastic
      • For Dave, AI is Assistive Intelligence
    • 00:13:59 AI Generated music like Suno
    • 00:18:22 Should AI-generated art be labeled as such?
    • 00:22:58 What about if AI generates the likeness of someone?
      • De-Feedback on Gig Gab
    • 00:24:53 Ouroborotic
    • 00:27:31 Using AI to create music
      • Business Brain theme music
      • Jack Tempchin’s AI-assisted album
      • Beck’s Song Reader
      • Creating walk-on music for your band
        • Bowling For Soup’s (non-AI-created) walk-on music for live shows
    • 00:40:47 Comparing Human-Created Music vs. AI-Created music
    • 00:45:11 AI Music vs. Cover Music
    • 00:47:58 COVID Lockdowns taught us that we like to bring humans together
    • 00:55:37 What’s AI going to make Dave say?
    • 01:03:08 Jobs on the line
      • Elvis impersonators and sax players from rock songs in the 80’s
    • 01:05:42 AI Mixing
      • Davis Thurston on Gig Gab
    • 01:13:04 Do we have to
      • Take a long-term cut of the sales, folks!
    • 01:18:06 Gig Gab 536 Outtro
      • Follow Stu Dias
        • Diaspora-Radio.com
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post AI and Music for Working Musicians: Tool, Threat, or Bandmate? – Gig Gab 536 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 時間 21 分
  • Loaded Out, Rolling Home, Rolling Tape

    Loaded Out, Rolling Home, Rolling Tape
    2026/05/25

    Ride shotgun with Dave as he records GigGab on the drive home from a Casual Gravity gig, finally living out the show’s original mission. You’ll hear why packing your own mixer saves the night when the venue only wants a single feed from the band, what it’s like when an in-ear band plays its first fully sober gig, and why counting songs in to a click track changes everything once adrenaline stops driving your tempo.

    Then dig into relearning vocal harmonies for the Underground Band: using the Moises app to isolate vocals, pulling sheet music, and plunking out intervals on piano to lock stacks into your ear. Buddy Gibbons sparks a drumming debate on single strokes versus marching-style sticking through the Foreplay/Long Time triplets, and Dave gets honest about throat fatigue, Lyme disease aftermath, dust mite allergies, and the sublingual immunotherapy bringing his voice back. Listen to your body, learn the parts, and Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 535 – Monday, May 25th, 2026
      • May 25th: National Tap Dance Day
    • 00:00:10 Driving Home Experiment
    • 00:01:42 Casino Gig Setup
    • 00:06:38 Sober Show, Strong Set
    • 00:08:19 Relearning Vocal Harmonies
    • 00:18:15 Drumming Through Both Hands
    • 00:21:47 Insurance And Smoke-Filled Gigs
    • 00:26:42 Throat Troubles And Recovery
    • Stuff Mentioned:
      • Mackie DL32S
      • Moises
      • I Love a Piano
      • MusicPro Equipment Insurance
    • 00:31:24 Gig Gab 535 Outtro
    • Contact Gig Gab!
      • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
      • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
      • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post Loaded Out, Rolling Home, Rolling Tape – Gig Gab 535 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    33 分
  • What's Your Band's Definition of Success?

    What's Your Band's Definition of Success?
    2026/05/18

    OG co-host Paul Kent rejoins Dave Hamilton to talk about how The Houserockers have stayed booked into their 27th year, and what your band can steal from their playbook. You’ll dig into the social media reality of 2026 (Reels are currently king), why your mailing list is the asset you actually own, and how to grow to 10,000 followers without losing your soul. Paul makes the case that if you want gigs, your band has to be a business, which means alignment on mission, passion, and musical style with the partners or employees standing next to you on stage. There’s nothing wrong with playing for fun, but go in eyes wide open about what you’re chasing.

    From there you’ll dive into the value of scarcity, Kevin Kelly’s thousand true fans, and why mixing up your setlists is one way to keep audiences coming back. Paul breaks down the current Houserockers formula (civic concert series, experiential marketing, and ticketed off-season events) and why aging-up audiences mean you have to market harder and talk to fans like Springsteen does: a lifetime conversation, all with individuals. You’ll also get the real talk on finding bandmates (Craigslist included), the Gig Gab bookable-band checklist, and Paul’s (joking?) pitch for two new show segments. Whatever your lane, Always Be Performing, and start treating every touchpoint like the gig it is.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 534 – Monday, May 18th, 2026
      • May 18th: National Visit Your Relatives Day
    • 00:01:27 Guest co-host: Paul Kent
      • The Houserockers in their 27th year!
    • 00:04:21 Did someone call you an old man?!?
    • 00:08:46 The Gig Gab social media approach
    • 00:10:29 Your band can get 10,000 followers
      • Reels are it…today.
    • 00:13:37 Gain a mailing list
    • 00:16:41 It’s about the music business.
      • Is your band willing to be in business?
    • 00:19:00 There’s nothing wrong with doing what you want to do.
      • Just go in eyes wide open.
    • 00:20:49 Getting alignment within your band. You now have business partners or employees
      • Be aligned with mission, passion, style of music … the alchemy of it.
    • 00:26:48 The value of scarcity
      • Does success equal quantity of gigs?
      • Some people want to play five times per month
    • 00:30:43 Finding Your Thousand True Fans
    • 00:32:05 Mixing up your setlists is another way to keep people coming back
    • 00:36:00 Marketing 101 – you have to have something to say
      • Hopefully unique!
      • And then deliver.
    • 00:37:13 The Houserockers formula for today
      • Civic Concert Series
      • Experiential Marketing
      • Ticketed Events in the off-season
    • 00:39:13 Use your mailing list!
    • 00:41:28 Ticketed events required more marketing this year
      • Audiences are aging up
    • 00:43:04 How do you talk to your audience?
      • Springsteen: my career is a lifetime conversation with my audience
      • It’s about you, your personality, and each individual audience member
    • 00:50:11 Finding band members is an imperfect science
      • Craigslist lets you find who is available THEN.
      • The Gig Gab Band checklist
    • 00:56:41 Paul’s show ideas for Dave
      • Dave reads mean comments
      • Dave reads band ads from Craigslist, et al
    • 00:59:47 Gig Gab 534 Outtro
      • Follow Paul Kent
        • SVHouserockers.com
        • Facebook Houserockers
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post What’s Your Band’s Definition of Success? — Gig Gab 534 with Paul Kent appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Relentless Consistency and the Scarcity Premium with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornadoes

    Relentless Consistency and the Scarcity Premium with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornadoes
    2026/05/11
    Guest co-host Mike Schulte joins Dave with 15 years of Pork Tornadoes social media wisdom, and the message is blunt: relentless consistency wins. You literally can’t post too much in 2026—nobody sees everything anymore, so repost that same flyer as a fresh post (not a share) and keep going. Give it 45 days before you judge results. Why invest? More fans mean more bodies at the gig, plus the social proof that signals to newcomers that other people already love you. And remember—you’re not competing with other bands, you’re competing with people’s couches. From there, Dave and Mike dig into the live-show craft. Build a sound check formula so it stops being a nightmare, then cook up a Suno-generated theme song to walk on to—Always Be Performing means the show starts before the first chord lands. Treat your setlist like art: the opener’s a throwaway, but song three is the most important slot of the night. Then think about your saturation—the Pork Tornadoes cap themselves at two ticketed gigs per year inside a 30-mile radius, and the minute they got scarce, their pay jumped tenfold. Simple, not easy. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 533 – Monday, May 11th, 2026 May 11th: National Eat What You Want Day (also Hostess CupCake Day!)Guest co-host: Mike Schulte 00:01:10 Did you ever watch Night Court Dave reminds Mike of HarryConfused BreakfastShows that were so far ahead of their time: All In The FamilyRoseanne 00:05:06 Managing your band’s social media Relentless Consistency is the key (right now).“You can never post too much” – Mike Schulte, May 11, 2026Mike has been running social media for Pork Tornadoes for 15 yearsEveryone doesn’t see every post (anymore)It’s money-drivenRepost the same thing, the same flyer, the same idea (as a new post, not a “share”) 00:09:49 Getting “started” on social media in 2026 I tried to follow your model and nothing changed. In two weeks.You’ve gotta spend a month or more (Dave says 45 days) 00:14:05 What’s the benefit of investing in social media The more fans you have, there WILL be more people who come to your eventsAlso: social proof. Showing people that other people like you. 00:18:55 Social Proof + Bullheaded Persistence = Success.00:22:00 People don’t go out like they used to You’re not competing with other bands, you’re competing with people’s couches 00:24:39 A band retreat! If 2020 hadn’t happened, Pork Tornadoes would’ve probably gone full time 00:26:04 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab00:27:42 Recent Gig(s) Gab Boston Cream Band at Seacoast Repertory TheaterPork Tornadoes is a 2-hours straight-thru band 00:34:19 Orchestrate your sound check Sound check used to be a nightmare, until we created a formula 00:38:27 Create a musical lead-in for your show For the wranglers in the Gig Gab audienceUse Suno to create a theme song for your band 00:42:57 Writing a setlist is an art Your first song is a throwawayThe third song is the FIRST most important song in the set (according to Dave)Develop business-like rituals for your band 00:48:32 What’s Your Band’s Saturation? Self-imposed proximity clausesPork Tornadoes Proximity Clause: No more than 2 ticketed events in a 30-mile radius per yearPlus one free-to-the-public festival gig to pull people inTo the venues who don’t have proximity clauses: why do you not?The minute we started getting scarce, was the minute our pay increased 10-fold 01:00:12 The Pork Tornadoes formula: simple, not easy. Gig Gab 532 Outtro Follow Mike SchulteConfused BreakfastThe Pork Tornadoes Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Relentless Consistency and the Scarcity Premium with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornadoes – Gig Gab 533 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 時間 2 分
  • From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson

    From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson
    2026/05/04
    Ready to make the leap from wedges to in-ear monitors? Or finally get the stage mix you’ve always wanted? Dave Hamilton welcomes back monitor engineer Paul Klimson, the man who mixed 32 stereo IEM feeds for Justin Timberlake, for a working musician’s deep dive on monitor world. You’ll learn how to build a default mix from scratch (start yourself at 0dB, your instrument at -5, everything else at -15), why drummers have an easier transition to in-ears than most assume, and how a split snake lets you take care of yourself when the gig demands it. Paul digs into hi-hat pitfalls, drum overheads as stage wash, and why bands who mix themselves on stage make life better for their FOH engineer, too. Then it gets practical. Paul walks you through IEM fittings (pain is always bad, the seal is everything, and yes, drop an AirTag in your case) plus the universal-versus-custom decision, vetting vendor customer service before you buy, and the repair costs nobody talks about until they need to. You’ll get honest talkback etiquette (keep the drama off-stage, give everyone a voice, remember that your monitor engineer is a short-order cook), the post-mortem habit every band should adopt, and a peek at SoulSeed.tv. Wherever you sit on stage, this is the episode that sharpens how you Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 532 – Monday, May 4th, 2026 May 4th: Dave Brubeck DayGuest co-host: Paul Klimson 00:03:24 Start with headphones in your practice space Start with earplugs 00:05:09 Drums are a dynamic instrument, which may be why drummers have an easy transition to IEMs (usually)00:08:33 What do you want in your wedge? What’s your reference? 00:09:11 The artist/engineer relationship00:11:03 Building a default mix Start yourself at 0dBInstrument at -5dBEverything else at -15dB 00:12:58 Using a Split Snake When possible, take care of yourself 00:14:47 Timing of a mix Don’t forget about hi-hatsWork with your engineer to dial-in your own mix 00:19:18 Drum overheads for stage wash effect00:22:21 In-ears help you listen better Bands who mix themselves on stage makes your ears AND the FOH engineers job ears 00:23:54 Learn where you and your instrument fit into the mix of your band And change it if you don’t fit. You’re not the most important thing! 00:26:40 What’s going to make you stand out when someone comes to see you at clubs of any size? Do you hear the lyrics?Do you hear the intent of the story of the song?Watch your instagram videos and evaluate honestly 00:30:28 Knowing when the studio mix is done.00:33:27 Fittings for IEMs Things to look for: Pain is bad Is the seal functioning correctly? Listen for sound leakage (including when you open your mouth and move around)Are the ports aimed down the canal wrongDo you hear high-end better when you rock the mold around? 00:37:36 Put an AirTag in your IEM case!00:39:28 Figuring out which model to order Try universal fits first to learn the musical qualities 00:41:16 Test the customer service of vendors before you choose00:42:55 The origin of IEMs00:44:44 Find out repair costs Comply Foam Strips 00:48:20 Talkback Use Keep the drama off-stageGive everyone a voiceMonitor engineers are like short-order cooks… be kind! 00:58:23 Always post-mortem the problems from the gig And also “what happens if?” conversations 01:03:22 Soulseed.TV01:06:05 Gig Gab 532 Outtro Follow Paul Klimson SoulSeed.tv@TheRoadieClinic Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer’s Playbook with Paul Klimson – Gig Gab 532 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 時間 7 分
  • Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Fix Your Band’s Biggest Pain Points (with Dan Chantrey)

    Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Fix Your Band’s Biggest Pain Points (with Dan Chantrey)
    2026/04/27
    You trace Dan Chantrey’s path from drummer dad influence to choosing music over football, and quickly see the real lesson: the game has flipped. You’re no longer playing gigs to sell music, you’re using music to sell gigs. From record deals fading to booking agents becoming the new gatekeepers, you learn why every band feels like it’s on the brink and how surviving means thinking beyond the stage. GIGNITE emerges as the modern answer, a virtual tour manager that helps you route tours, analyze audiences, and break into new markets with data instead of guesswork. If you want to grow, you stop hoping for “yes” and start building a system that makes it inevitable. You rethink what it means to be a working musician: your brand matters as much as your chops, your off-stage work is where the money lives, and yes, it’s okay to get paid for your art. From finding sponsors in your local pizza joint to solving real-world problems like parking the van and booking rooms, you’re shown how to remove friction and scale your gig life intelligently. The stories drive it home: don’t punish the audience that showed up, audition gigs still sting, and your toughest hometown show might teach you the most. The throughline is clear: treat this like a business, leverage the tools, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 531 – Monday, April 27th, 2026 April 27th: Morse Code DayGuest co-host: Dan Chantrey from GIGNITE 00:03:36 Dan’s Dad was a drummer and a singer, started him off, then Dan started playing00:03:58 Playing live vs. Playing in the studio00:04:15 Choosing between (American) football and music00:06:09 Getting signed to Frontier Records Things worked for a while“Every band is on the verge of breaking up at all times” 00:09:06 Things have turned: you used to do gigs to sell your music, now you do music to sell your gigs GIGNITE is a one-stop shop for artists to be able to tourHad an events business running pre-COVIDBREXIT happened, so how can we make things easier to get artists move about through Europe 00:12:38 Booking agent deals are the new record deal00:14:49 Tried to book a festival, booking agents said “no” even though bands said “yes”00:16:00 GIGNITE is your virtual tour manager00:17:10 Aggregating Audience Analytics is part of the platform, too00:18:56 Heading to NAMM to learn what potential customers want NAMM is the meeting place of the music industry 00:20:33 Analytics aggregation for tribute acts and cover bands, too Does Dave’s fictitious band sound like Rage Against The Machine? Why not!Using analytics to decide which markets 00:22:55 GIGNITE is free for artists to join and use Freemium model allows artists to add additional features like press releases and suchPrimary monetization is from suppliers (aka venues)Venue ratings system! 00:24:22 Gig Unite links artists with sponsors Linking headline bands with opening acts (local and otherwise)Find sponsors for your local bands, folks: Pizza placeConstruction companiesCleaning servicesChiropractor It might be easier to get sponsors for your band than gigs for it! 32:31 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab00:33:57 GIGNITE takes the heavy lifting and headaches away Gives your band the power to look at and consider tours“How do you get a gig in a town that’s 200 miles away?”You can do it yourself, you can get a booking agent, or you can use a service like GIGNITE 00:36:00 It’s called the music BUSINESS for a reason The brand of your band is as important as your stagecraft 00:40:49 I don’t get paid to play shows, I get paid to do all the off-stage stuff Dave says: “It’s OK to get paid for our art” 00:43:41 Where are you going to park your van while you play? Where are you going to stay?GIGNITE answers these questions 00:47:44 Now it’s Gig Gab time Road stories, folks!Parthenon Huxley: Don’t punish the people who showed up!Audition Gigs… love ‘em and hate ‘em! (mostly hate ‘em!) 00:54:36 The hardest gig I ever played “We want to see you in your home town.” 00:58:00 Gig Gab 531 Outtro Follow Dan Chantrey GIGNITE.liveFacebook & InstagramDan_chantreyDan Chan Show on Rock Rage RadioDan Chan Show on YouTube Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Fix Your Band’s Biggest Pain Points – Gig Gab 531 with Dan Chantrey appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 時間 2 分
  • 50 Years of Rush: Howard Ungerleider on Lighting the Lighted Stage

    50 Years of Rush: Howard Ungerleider on Lighting the Lighted Stage
    2026/04/20
    Step inside five decades of rock history with lighting legend Howard Ungerleider, the man who’s been designing and directing Rush’s light shows since 1974. Hear how a $75-a-week mailroom gig at American Talent International — where he pulled off a rogue booking of Fleetwood Mac before he was even an agent — turned into a lifetime behind the console. Get the story of Howard landing in Toronto to babysit “a club band called Rush,” sleeping on the floor at the manager’s house with a St. Bernard, freezing his hand to a car door at -40 in Cochrane, Ontario, and later jamming with Neil Peart at his house to Genesis and Supertramp records. Howard also talks designing Roll The Bones (the one Rush tour he couldn’t operate), embedding at See Factor to build custom gear nobody else could get, and how Blue Öyster Cult first put him in front of a laser: the same craft he now brings to Foo Fighters, Tool, and Janet Jackson. Then the conversation turns to the upcoming Rush Fifty Something tour — a four-piece now with Anika Nilles on drums and Loren Gold on keys, freeing Geddy to focus on bass and vocals. Learn why Howard still “plays” the lighting console live with two boards and thousands of touch cues, how robotic spots are quietly changing the craft, and why he and Phish’s Chris Kuroda will be swapping rigs at Madison Square Garden. You’ll also hear the Paul McCartney moment in the Taylor Hawkins tribute dressing room that may have sparked the whole tour, and why Howard insists this is a rejuvenation, a celebration, and proof that no matter the rig, the room, or the era, you’ve gotta ALWAYS BE PERFORMING. Because it’s what we do. Press play and enjoy, folks. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 530 – Monday, April 20th, 2026 April 20th: Pizza Delivery Driver Appreciation DayGuest co-host: Howard Ungerleider 00:02:18 Walked into a NYC office to get a recording contract for his band “You need to learn about this industry before you come knocking on people’s doors.”Introduced him to Action Talent (which became American Talent International) 00:06:21 For $75/week delivering coffee and working in the mailroom After a year and a half he got booted from Monmouth University, then became the ATI gopher 00:08:17 Hey, do you want Fleetwood Mac to play here?00:11:44 Booking agent00:13:17 Can you fill in for a week as Blue Oyster Cult’s tour00:14:51 Howard and Rush were surprised to have Howard working there “I need ten grand” – “no, you can sleep on the floor instead” 00:18:11 Howard had to show Geddy that New York pizza was better than Toronto pizza00:19:01 Howard learns about Canadian cold Howard’s driving, Geddy’s riding shotgun, Neil’s reading, Alex is smoking a joint 00:20:42 Geddy says, “get out and take a breath of fresh air”00:22:05 John Rutsey had opted out of touring, Howard moves to Toronto while they’re auditioning drummers “Eventually Neil [Peart] walked in…and that was it.” 00:23:32 Howard and Neil used to jam at Neil’s house Genesis and Supertramp 00:24:19 Road life’s not so bad 200 gigs a year on the road 00:26:09 Rush took a break, Howard did Queensryche and Tesla Howard designed Roll The Bones, but it’s the only tour he couldn’t operate 00:27:51 Howard tour-managed and lighting designed and operated every tour up through Presto, after which he dropped tour-managing00:28:41 Dave realizes he met Howard on the Presto tour00:31:43 Don’t put up with crap00:32:03 Howard’s been doing Rush’s lights since 197400:33:05 Moving from clubs and theaters to arenas Howard embedded himself into See Factor, the lighting company.Lots of custom gear 00:34:54 SPONSOR: Warby Parker – Right now, buy one prescription pair and get 20% off any additional prescription pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/GIGGAB00:36:40 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab00:38:10 Howard first saw lasers with Blue Oyster Cult Dr. David Infante, Blue Oyster Cult’s laser operatorHoward’s lasers on on the road with Foo Fighters, Tool, Janet Jackson and more 00:40:37 RUSH Fifty Something Something completely different than Howard has ever doneOther dimensions 00:42:04 Mixing the Juno awards Howard says Neil would approve of Anika. 00:44:51 Hey Howard, surprise! RUSH is going to tour again00:47:03 Howard did lights for RUSH at Taylor Hawkins tribute00:48:46 Howard prefers mixing live He “plays” the lighting console liveRemote spot locations 00:52:07 RUSH Fifty Something… it’s band of FOUR. Geddy is happy… playing less keyboards, more bass and vocal focus 00:54:42 Howard: “I create lighting choreography” This tour is (currently) 2.5 hours (things can change, folks!)“I try to enhance the show with lighting that can trigger your emotions. I approach it as an audience member.”Loren Gold’s harmonies sound great 00:58:28 Phish and Rush alternating at ...
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    1 時間 10 分
  • The Crowd Is the Star: Piano Bar Secrets for Entertaining Any Room with Cliff & Susan Prowse

    The Crowd Is the Star: Piano Bar Secrets for Entertaining Any Room with Cliff & Susan Prowse
    2026/04/13
    You don’t need a traditional path to build a thriving music career! Just ask Cliff and Susan Prowse, who turned classical piano chops and play-by-ear instincts into a full-blown lifestyle business. Whether you learned to read music first or figured out theory after the fact, what matters is training your ear to hear intervals, stacking up reps, and putting in the practice until harmony feels like second nature. Use your DAW to sharpen your pitch, but don’t psych yourself or your bandmates out: true tone deafness is rare, and confidence is currency on stage. The bottom line: making a real living in music is absolutely possible when you treat your craft like a skill you never stop sharpening. Once you hit the stage, remember that the crowd is the star and you’re the emcee who just happens to sing and play. Take your audience on a journey: open at mid-energy, build it up, let it breathe, then hit them again. Mix genres, swap instruments, toss in some comedy, and never leave dead air between songs; keep every second purposeful. Think of your set like a video game where you’re always leveling up the room. Manage your breaks with music that matches the vibe so the party never stalls. Playing covers isn’t just a gig — it’s a masterclass in entertainment, and entertainment is its own art form. Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 529 – Monday, April 13th, 2026 April 13th: National Silly Earring DayGuest co-hosts: Susan Erwin Prowse & Cliff Prowse 00:03:02 The Ultimate Lifestyle Business00:03:33 Starting with a Pure Mathematics Degree to Piano Bars Classical Piano at the base of it all 00:05:04 Bumble Boogie piqued Susan’s ears Make sure your kids see that inspiration 00:07:16 Cliff started with music from the day he was born Always treated instruments delicately, even as a toddlerLearned to play by ear, but never learned to read 00:09:44 Reading vs. hearing and Music Theory School band director thought he was reading music, when Cliff was just playing by ear and remembering what the band directorSusan learned to hear intervalsCliff decided to learn theory after-the-fact 00:14:28 Learning to play before you learn WHY the notes work00:18:18 Breaking down vocal harmonies Both Susan and Cliff picks out harmony by earSinging harmonies with the mixolydian scale with the flat 7Really, just practice. Repetition is the key to it all! 00:27:20 Using your DAW to help improve your singing Being actually tone deaf is rareBeware of shaking your bandmates’ confidence…or your own 00:33:21 Making a living in the music business is possible!00:34:26 The science of the show: Piano Bar strategies Top 40, any genre, any decadeLearning the skills of doing the singalong conceptSusan and Cliff met on-stage at Willy D’s piano bar in Little RockFrom piano bars in Little Rock to Los Angeles to Las Vegas and beyond 00:38:31 Taking the crowd on a journey When you’re there to entertain and throw the partyThe crowd is the star, you AREN’TYou’re the emcee, the DJ, you just happen to know how to sing and play pianoKeep it interesting by changing the genre, the groove, the styleIt’s like playing a video game!Mid energy, at first, then bring it up, then let it ease, then maybe repeatAdd variety: different instruments, different singers, different stylesAdd a little comedy to give them a break from the music 00:45:44 Manage your breaks One school: NEVER stop playingHave good break music, make sure the energy matches 00:49:48 Managing your dead air Don’t allow breaks between songs. Always avoid dead air.“Purposeful Talking” 00:52:44 Entertainers Academy 5-Day Gig Amplifier ChallengeSusan and Cliff love to teach! 00:56:44 Being in a cover band is a masterclass of learning entertainment skills Entertaining is an art in and of itself 01:00:17 Gig Gab 528 Outtro Follow Cliff & Susan Facebook & Instagram Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Crowd Is the Star: Piano Bar Secrets for Entertaining Any Room – Gig Gab Podcast 529 with Cliff & Susan Prowse appeared first on Gig Gab.
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