Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

You jump straight into the deep end with Richie Castellano as you explore what happens when preparation collides with opportunity. You follow his path from mixing weddings to standing behind massive analog rigs, wrangling six guitar channels, chasing down mysterious hums, and learning fast that the gremlins always show up when you least expect them. When the call comes to go from being Blue Oyster Cult’s sub sound engineer to bass player in four days with 21 songs to learn, the lesson is clear: play something you know, rehearse smart, and build a Just In Case bag that saves the gig. Success is not luck. It is preparation meeting the moment, and you are either ready or you are not. In order to Always Be Performing you need to Always Be Preparing! As the conversation deepens, you learn how adaptability gets and keeps gigs, from joining the culture of a band to solving problems so painlessly you become indispensable. Richie breaks down the craft of learning, teaching, and arranging vocal harmonies, including Yes music at the highest level, where not nailing the vocals means the whole thing falls apart. You hear why simplifying is sometimes the smart move, how spreadsheets can ease rehearsals, and why blending matters more than showing off. The episode closes with practical wisdom on collaboration with front of house, constant communication inside the band, and surrounding yourself with people on the same mission. This is a masterclass in being prepared, predictable, drama-free, and trusted when it counts. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 516 – Monday, January 12th, 2026 January 12th: National Hot Tea Day Guest co-host: Richie Castellano NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:01:40 From mixing weddings to arenas overnight Called to sub as Blue Oyster Cult’s sound engineer Steve “Woody” La Cerra “Make them sound like a big bad rock band” 00:06:53 The differences doing sound in a big room? Six channels of guitar for 3 guitar players! Where’s the cowbell?!? 00:10:28 Arriving ten minutes before downbeat with the biggest system of my life And it’s analog! What’s that low hum 00:12:49 The Gremlins That Run Around On Stage When You’re Not Looking Play something you know 00:17:46 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:19:10 From sound to…playing bass in four days! Here’s 18 songs… I mean 21 songs. Be ready to play this by Friday Success is when preparation meets opportunity. Here’s the opportunity. Now you have to prepare for it! Buck Dharma on Gig Gab First gig was canceled… But that led to a rehearsal Time to talk about the JustInCase…aka the Idiot Bag! Plugged into the TV to rehearse 00:22:39 “If you can do this five times in a row, this will be your gig.” 00:25:02 Do you just want me to join the band? If you solve a problem for someone painlessly, you’re not likely to be replaced. Be Prepared and Predictable And No Drama 00:28:41 Joining the culture of a band Matt Beck on guitar for the recent Jon Anderson tour fit perfectly Being adaptable gets and keeps gigs 00:33:22 Learning and teaching harmonies Learning how to soften and blend 40th Anniversary of Agents of Fortune A trick: learn how to do impressions. “Sing this like Peter Gabriel”, “Sing this like Michael McDonald” 00:39:51 Arranging Harmonies for Yes music Don’t be afraid to simplify, folks Use a spreadsheet! Get it to “the best WE can do it” Then ask “how can we make this blend better?” 00:45:13 If we don’t nail the vocals, we suck! 00:48:29 The collaboration between band and front of house Ask front of house engineer: What do you need from me to sound good? End sound check with an a capella vocal moment 00:52:24 Talk to your bandmates and continually tweak things “Why does your snare drum sound different today?” 00:54:11 Surround yourself with bandmates who are on the same mission 00:59:58 When bands write vocal harmonies 01:04:18 Gig Gab 514 Outtro Follow Richie Castellano Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready — Gig Gab 516 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You step into the pressure cooker of elite live sound, where Robert Scovill shows you why chaos is often the best teacher. From mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions with zero margin for error to handling full-band changeovers on the fly, you learn that perfection is worth chasing but dangerous to demand. You hear why live mixing beats the studio for him. It is about capturing ensemble moments, not polishing parts. Even when the doubt creeps in before showtime, the lights come up, the band hits, and the moment reminds you why you do this. This is the mindset of Always Be Performing. You also get practical, battle-tested tactics for surviving high-stakes gigs. Learn how to study a band fast, who sings, who solos, and when, using recordings and YouTube as prep tools. You hear what it takes to mix legendary harmony vocals, why artists like Def Leppard insist on singing live, and how those expectations shape your approach. Then it gets nerdy in the best way, with the evolution of De-Feedback, real-world use at the Rock Hall, and how tools like reverse impulse responses can clean up wedges, vocals, and even IEMs. The takeaway is clear. Preparation, adaptability, and relentless curiosity are what keep you in the game. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 515 – Monday, January 5th, 2026 January 12th: National Day of Dialogue Guest co-host: Robert Scovill 00:01:25 Mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 10+ Acts… with full changeovers Trial by fire, with no time! 00:07:27 The enjoyment of the pressure of mixing live Perfection is a great thing to strive for, a terrible thing to achieve 00:09:00 Giving up on the studio in favor of live Way more interested in recording ensemble moments 00:10:10 Started in live sound in the 1970s Started with Shooting Star 00:12:04 Full circle moments at Rock Hall Mixing the Joe Cocker induction with Tedeschi Trucks Mixing Peter Frampton…a throwback moment 00:17:34 That thought creeps in: “I don’t know if I can keep doing this” And then the show happens…with all of its moments! 00:22:34 Learning a band quickly Who’s singing? When? Who plays the guitar solos (and when)? Give them a recording in advance Find them on YouTube 00:25:53 Dolly Parton and Rob Halford sing Jolene 00:28:23 Mixing Def Leppard harmony vocals Def Leppard is a great example: they wanted to sing live They worked hard to deliver what they expected (and what people expected) 00:34:50 Mixing Prince at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 00:38:20 Always Be Recording…and here’s why: Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks And a new ProTools feature was born: VENUE Link 00:43:04 Alpha Labs De-Feedback Started as an aside in Scovill’s Back Lounge Neve 5045 Primary Source Expander Waves PSE Plugin De-Feedback does reverse impulse responses 00:48:42 De-Feedback started to “make churches sound better” 00:57:28 De-Feedback at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Elton John (because of his loud monitor wedges) Cyndi Lauper 01:02:02 Comparing De-Feedback to a Neve 5045 Waves NS1 01:10:19 A live De-Feedback demo and some nerdy details! 01:26:24 Fixing IEMs with De-Feedback Think about eliminating drum bleed from vocal mics, for one. 01:28:47 Gig Gab 515 Outtro Follow Robert Scovill On Facebook On Instagram On LinkedIn RobertScovill.com (where you’ll find The Back Lounge) Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Gig Gab 515 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You love the music, but being a working musician comes with friction, and this episode tackles it head-on. You dig into the real difference between tribute bands and celebration projects, how to prep when multiple gigs stack up fast, and why anxiety creeps in when preparation gets sloppy. You explore how much rehearsal is enough, when studio versions help versus live recordings, and why fun disappears when expectations are unclear. The big takeaway is simple: intention matters. When you walk into rehearsal with a plan, a personal worklist, and shared expectations, you protect your energy and stay focused on what matters most. That focus is how you keep growing while Always Be Performing. From rehearsals to gig day, you learn how systems save your sanity. You hear why rehearsal recordings only work if someone is actually assigned to listen, how shared calendars prevent chaos, and why group texts quietly sabotage bands. You break down practical tools for managing gigs, promotion, and communication, from punchlist spreadsheets to task masters who own the details. You even get into tech expectations for bandmates and why alignment matters more than gear. The message is clear: externalize the details, reduce decision fatigue, and free your head to show up present, prepared, and confident on stage. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 514 – Monday, December 29th, 2025 December 29th: Tick Tock Day Guest co-host: Richard Page 00:02:03 Richard’s got some tribute shows happening The difference between a tribute band and a celebration project Pure Petty, Hot Atlanta, Remedy at Ardmore Music Hall Rocks This Way 00:06:07 Dave’s got three different shows to learn and play in 2 weeks The anxiety of preparing for too many gigs at once When prepping celebration shows, do you do all studio? Some live? 00:24:33 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/giggab #rulapod 00:26:19 NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:26:55 Being a working musician comes with a lot of friction to have fun 00:28:48 Setting rehearsal intention Have a plan! Be careful of repeating songs and consuming time Set expectations. Ensure everyone arrives on the same page. Keep a “personal worklist” note going on your phone during rehearsals 00:33:41 Maximizing rehearsal recordings Rotate between band-members for listening to rehearsal recordings You inspect what you expect! 00:38:49 Scheduling rehearsals Use a Google Calendar 00:42:36 Inter-band communication Group Messages…SUCK (especially now with RCS, that was supposed to fix it) You’ve gotta have a task-master! WheresTheGig.com BandHelper 00:50:46 Creating a Spreadsheet punchlist for gigs Keeps you from forgetting the Facebook event, the mailer, etc Using BandsInTown for Artists 00:55:55 Tech requirements for new band members Green Bubble Prejudice! 01:02:12 Three iPads Stage Ninja Clamp for iPad forScore 01:10:17 Gig Gab 514 Outtro Follow Richard Page on Facebook Remedy Dead Band Rocks This Way Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Hidden Work of Fun: Systems for Working Musicians — Gig Gab 514 with Richard Page appeared first on Gig Gab.

You follow Lindsay Manfredi’s wild, non-linear path from merch table to main stage, and she shows you exactly how saying yes, showing up, and outworking your fear can change your entire trajectory. You hear how she moved to Florida at twenty chasing a rock-star dream, became an instant Cold superfan, and eventually landed the bass gig through a Twitter message that felt too unreal to be real. She talks candidly about law-of-attraction moments, why every Cold song has to matter, and where the line sits between authentic human creativity and formulaic or AI-generated music. Through it all, she reminds you that most fears never materialize and it takes the same effort to believe in yourself as it does to doubt yourself. Always Be Performing. From there, you shift into the discipline behind her artistry: preparing for tours months in advance, running the set nearly every day, and over-preparing so the stage actually feels fun. She shares how making the road feel like home keeps her grounded, and how her book “The Girl Who Cried Love” came from losing her sense of self and rebuilding true self-worth, not just confidence. You explore dropping habits that don’t serve you, reconnecting with what you really value, and even why revisiting Mad Men taught her to only compete with herself. Finally, you wrap with a deep dive into in-ear monitor strategy, why a great mix beats great gear, and the small decisions that make performing sustainable for the long haul. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 513 – Monday, December 22nd, 2025 December 22nd: National Cookie Exchange Day Guest co-host: Linsday Manfredi NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:01:30 Twenty years old, moved to Florida to become a rock star Sprung Monkey needed a “merch girl”, Lindsay grabbed the gig Saw Cold, loved the music, loved Scooter’s voice. Instant fan! Unfuckwithable: A Guide to Inspired Badassery 00:04:45 Bringing the Law of attraction into the rock world Lindsay’s Cold tattoo made it into the album insert 00:06:00 Getting the Cold gig… on Twitter in 2014 Picture Yes was playing at The Vogue in Indianapolis on tour with Saving Abel Check your Facebook messages: “Will you be in our band?” 00:07:32 Always say “yes!” — Build the plane while you’re flying it. Bought a 5-String 00:09:09 Play music because you love to play music No fluff songs in Cold Every song matters 00:11:25 Fuck AI to create music Is Formulaic Music from humans just as bad as AI-Created Music When do we hit the point where it’s OK to use AI to create music 00:20:13 If you’re an artist, you’re going to create art. 85% of what we’re afraid of won’t happen. It takes just as much effort to have faith in something as it does to fear something 00:23:46 Transitioning from fan to band member Scooter says: “bring your personality to it!” Capture the original intent and emotion Lindsay rewrote the run in “So Long June” and… it was welcomed! 00:27:30 Preparing enough to have fun on stage Months of practice before a tour In order to have fun on stage… I need to be an over-preparer! Fender P-Bass at home to learn and prepare for tour Heavier strings on the practice bass Run the set every day (almost) 00:33:42 Start rehearsal in December for tour in April It’s more fun to be prepared 00:36:10 Making the road feel like home Making your bunk your own Cold is a family Touring is my favorite thing to do 00:39:52 The Girl Who Cried Love, a Pivot to Self Worth Lindsay: I lost myself into what became a failed relationship Trying to prove my worth to someone who didn’t see my worth So many of us aren’t taught what our true worth is Asking herself: “Lindsay, what do you really want in your life? What is your purpose? What are your values?” The difference between confidence and self-worth. 00:45:33 It’s hard to drop the shit that’s not serving you 00:46:37 How can I make the world a little bit better? Being in the audience first makes everything so much clearer 00:47:51 Identifying a bad habit before you can drop it “My goal in life is to wake up laughing every day” 00:49:01 Revisiting Mad Men, of all things Better to compete with yourself 00:51:19 In Ear Monitors Having a great mix Mix is more important than gear Dissecting in-ears Universal Fits Dave recommends: Ultimate Ears Universal Fit Soundbrenner Wave Huberman Lab episode on hearing health 01:01:52 Gig Gab 513 Outtro Follow Lindsay Manfredi On IG @Lindsay Manfredi ColdArmy.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Lindsay Manfredi’s Road to Cold: Music, Micro-Pivots, and Radical Self-Worth — Gig Gab 513 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You follow Demetri Papanicolau’s winding path from Fidelity financial consultant to full-time booking agent and working musician, discovering how taking risks, saying yes to scary gigs, and learning from every stage moment shaped his career. You hear how singing AC/DC and Zeppelin in high school, drilling Beatles harmonies, and navigating the evolution from originals to covers built the chops he still relies on today. As you ride through stories of surprise band formations, COVID-era pivots, and the birth of Rotten Apple, you’re reminded that you must Always Be Performing, even when the gig you expected turns into something entirely different. You also step inside Demetri’s world at Notso Costley Productions, where booking is equal parts diplomacy, coaching, and reading the room. He breaks down what venues actually want, what musicians consistently get wrong, and how reliability wins more than draw. You learn how he balances the needs of solos, duos, trios, and full bands; why non-verbal communication and a good hang matter; how to build an EPK that gets you on a roster; and what happens when rates rise across the scene. Through it all, Demetri shows how being both booker and performer lets him guide bands and venues toward smoother nights, stronger partnerships, and gigs that keep everyone coming back. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 512 – Monday, December 15th, 2025 December 15th: National Cupcake Day Guest co-host: Demetri Papanicolau from Notso Costley Productions NAMM coming up! GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro! 00:02:19 From Fidelity Financial Consultant to Acquiring and running a Booking Agency Josh Logan, local to New Hampshire, did Rock Star Supernova and then The Voice And then…Demetri wins the Black Brimmer’s Rock Star ManchVegas Doors opened! 00:05:33 Singing AC/DC and Zeppelin in high school to vocal lessons 00:06:06 Learning harmonies by singing The Beatles 00:07:32 Playing in an original band that became a cover band 00:10:05 Learning while not playing…big ears! Submitted to America’s Got Talent 00:13:39 Taking new gigs even when they scare the heck out of you A Josh Logan cancelation leads to a band formation to sub! 00:16:02 It’s not about the gigs you take, it’s also about the gigs you don’t take Be selective! 00:17:17 Alice and Chains becomes the thread to the story 00:18:51 COVID derails (and delays) some gigs…oh how we remember! October and November, 2020 When an acoustic duo gig turns into a full band on stage Rotten Apple forms! A tribute to Alice and Chains 00:22:28 Always performing with passion …and perfection! Developing that non-verbal communication 00:28:22 Bonding as harmony singers When you find that magic formula with someone, stick with it! 00:33:41 Putting the time in for continuous growth Maintaining beginner’s mind 00:34:07 Finding those right partners where it’s a good hang When your FOH Jim Roese, FOH with Fuel, Melissa Etheridge, and also Rotten Apple 00:37:44 Running a booking agency Working for both the venue and the performer Having a roster of musicians: solos, duos, trios, full bands Being in the performer’s shoes helps Demetri be a coach to bands AND venues to ensure smooth sailing 00:42:48 Reading the room goes a long 00:44:15 Demetri’s advice for making it work (or not work) To get on the roster: Have a good EPK and promo kit Once you’re on: responsiveness, being available, managing your schedule 00:46:24 Demetri’s biggest juggling act: adapting to last-minute changes The time Casual Gravity cancelled last minute! Reliability is huge 00:54:17 Venue feedback Draw isn’t always the most important thing Be a pro on the mic. Represent the venue. Play the right songs. Keeping the venues happy allows Demetri to book his roster of performers 00:57:43 Raising rates for the performer New rates for 2025 $230-$250 for solo (from $170-$200 three years ago) $450-$500 for duo $660-$700 for trio $700-$1,000 for bands (or more for A-List prices) Balancing rates between performers and venues, ensuring everyone is profitable 01:05:03 Carrying on Paul Costley’s legacy and tradition with Nosto Costley Productions Took a voluntary buyout package from Fidelity to make the time to acquire the agency 12/31/2021 was the day Demetri took over…and stopped cutting his hair 01:09:20 Gig Gab 512 Outtro Follow Demetri Papanicolau Notso Costley Productions On IG @DemetriPapanicolau Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Booking Smarter, Singing Harder: Demetri Papanicolau on Gig Life — Gig Gab 512 appeared first on Gig Gab.