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Artwork for Gig Gab

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Dave Hamilton & Friends
Live Music
Music Industry
South By Southwest
NAMM
Pork Tornadoes
Music Performance
Songwriting
In-Ear Monitors
Casual Gravity
Live Performance
Audience Engagement
P-Funk North
Drumming
Tribute Bands
Band Dynamics
Fan Engagement
Live Performances
Sound Engineering
Live Music Performance
We Are Scientists

Welcome to Gig Gab—the podcast sanctuary for working musicians and anyone fascinated by the vibrant, often unseen world behind every note played on stage. Whether you’re a musician, a member of the crew, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain to discover the secrets of live performances, you’ve found your tribe.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes542Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Gig Gab

Latest Episodes

This week Wil and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild pull up a chair beside Dave to show you what a life in music actually looks like from the inside. These guys grew up on a tour bus in the ’70s and ’80s watching their dads, Don and Harold Reid, play ... more

YouTube

This week front-of-house engineer Ryan Goldbacher calls in from the road with Tom Keifer, and you’ll quickly learn that landing the next gig comes down to two things: competence, and not being miserable to be around. Word of mouth is the real currenc... more

YouTube

This week singer-songwriter Patrice Peris joins Dave to flip the script on building a music career. That question musicians always get – what’s your backup plan? – is a terrible one, because Plan A was never required to land where you first mapped it... more

YouTube

This week you start things off digging into the craft that separates good gigs from great ones. You’ll get the playbook for prepping and surviving sub gigs, learn (again!) why a splitter snake earns its place in your rig, and sort through the real op... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Will Reed
Member of Wilson Fairchild, son of Langdon Reed and Will Reed, musician
Wilson Fairchild
Episode: Growing Up Statler: Wilson Fairchild on Harmony, Hustle, and the Working Musician's Life
Langdon Reed
Member of Wilson Fairchild, son of Langdon Reed and Will Reed, musician
Wilson Fairchild
Episode: Growing Up Statler: Wilson Fairchild on Harmony, Hustle, and the Working Musician's Life
Ryan Goldbacher
Tour/Front of House Engineer on Tom Keifer tour
Tour with Tom Keifer
Episode: Ryan Goldbacher on Touring with Tom Keifer, Mixing FOH (and Monitors), and AI
Patrice Paris
Singer-songwriter and vocal coach with sync placements
Episode: Patrice Peris on Sync, Survival, and Why You Don't Need a Backup Plan
Jesus Hernandez
Self-taught audio professional; touring tribute band audio engineer and producer
Jesus and the Complaint Department (Instagram: @Jesus and the Complaint Department)
Episode: Sub Gigs, Mic Mutes & the Art of Mixing Live with Jesus Hernandez
Lucas Hamilton
Rush superfan and co-host guest contributor
Family member of Rush fan/host
Episode: Three Rush Fans and Rush's 2026 Comeback Tour: From the Room and From Afar
Anika Nilles
Drummer joining the Rush tour
Anika Nilles
Episode: Three Rush Fans and Rush's 2026 Comeback Tour: From the Room and From Afar
Rand Lampert
Musician on The Broken Rings; guest
The Broken Rings
Episode: Road Stories, Recording Secrets, and the Perfect Pop Song – with Rand Lempert from The Broken Rings
Paul Klimson
Monitor engineer; co-founder of Theory One Productions and Rhodey Clinic
Theory One Productions; Rhodey Clinic
Episode: From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson

Host

Dave Hamilton
Host of Gig Gab; focuses on working musicians, band dynamics, and live show insights

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • So much good how-to info, great stories and fun!

    This is the show for working musicians of all types and at any level, anywhere. Cool gear, lots of tips and tricks and just the best stories about gig life. My favorite part is that Dave knows that everyone’s situation can vary and he invites listener participation. No matter when, where or how much you play, there’s good stuff here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    macsrcool
    United States2 years ago
  • Consummate pros with great advice and stories

    I’ve known Dave and Paul for a number of years and remember when Paul came to me to ask what I thought of the idea he and Dave had for this podcast. Both are outstanding musicians and great people. The information they’ve put into Gig Gab is truly impressive. If you’re a working musician or someone who is just morbidly curious about what goes into putting live music on a stage, you’ll love this podcast. Topics they share are truly insightful and entertaining. Keep up the good work guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Robonzo
    United States3 years ago
  • Yep

    The only thing better than movies, is music. This is one of our favorite music podcasts, full of great conversations and content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ConfusedBreakfastPodcast
    United States5 years ago
  • Best Band Show

    I’ve been listening to these two for a few years, and when I first found them I marathoner all the older shows. It’s the best podcast out there about being in a band. Yes, at times one of them gets a little long-winded, and while at first it was distracting, I have realized it is perfect, and I love it because he always talks about something we all can related to as musicians in a working band. Love the show. It’s my favorite podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sertshark
    United States5 years ago
  • Must-listen for working musicians

    Paul and Dave, been listening for a long time. I appreciate what you do, and your thoughtfulness about the impact of the pandemic on all of us who love playing is a shot in the arm. My band has played a few gigs, had a few canceled, and canceled a few ourselves. It is helpful to have your experiences to benchmark against. Keep doing what you are doing, and I will keep listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RealityStop
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

- The show is essentials for working musicians—actionable tips and real-world stories.
- The podcast is consistently informative and entertaining for gear nerds and tour pros.
- Hosts balance expertise with relatable storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ryan Goldbacher on Touring with Tom Keifer, Mixing FOH (and Monitors), and AI
Q: How's the tour going so far?
The tour is going great, with a strong crew and a positive atmosphere on the bus; Tom Keifer's team is cohesive, and Ryan emphasizes that the key is having a reliable, communicative group where everyone knows their role.
From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson
Q: What are key signs that an in-ear fit is not right?
Look for air passing when the jaw moves, seal integrity, and any painful pressure; if the fit changes dramatically when repositioned, it indicates the need for adjustments or a new mold.
From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson
Q: What is a sensible default mix for someone new to in-ears?
Prioritize the vocalist at 0 dB, set the musician's own instrument slightly lower (about -5 dB), and place other elements around -10 to -15 dB to create a structured, easily adjustable baseline.
From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson
Q: How should a beginner approach starting with in-ears in rehearsals?
Begin with headphones in a controlled space, use a simple board tape, and gradually layer in the rest of the band; start rehearsals with a known setup before attempting a full live dive to build comfort and naturalness.
Stop Winging It: Dial In Your Show with Clicks, Setlists, Insurance, and Gig Prep
Q: Should you rely on digital setlists or keep paper backups on stage?
Digital setlists are convenient but risk issues if devices fail; the host advocates keeping a printed paper setlist as a reliable backup to ensure everyone stays in sync during a gig.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Gig Gab

What is Gig Gab about and what kind of topics does it cover?

- This show centers on the practical realities of being a working musician and crew member, with episodes frequently unpacking how bands operate as small businesses, the craft of touring and live sound, and the interplay between art, promotion, and logistics. Guests range from veteran engineers and lighting designers to touring professionals and educator-entrepreneurs, offering nuts-and-bolts tactics, backstage anecdotes, and business-oriented guidance. The format typically blends actionable tips (setlists, marketing, sponsorships, travel logistics) with storytelling from real-world gigs, making it a valuable resource for performers, crew, and managers navigating a modern live-music ecosystem. A notable strength is its hands-on perspective ... more

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How many episodes of Gig Gab are there?

Gig Gab launched 11 years ago and published 542 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Gig Gab?

Recent guests on Gig Gab include:

1. Will Reed
2. Langdon Reed
3. Ryan Goldbacher
4. Patrice Paris
5. Jesus Hernandez
6. Lucas Hamilton
7. Anika Nilles
8. Rand Lampert

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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