As both Bassist and Petrolhead, Dave Butterworth summed up going pro perfectly. To paraphrase a little; 'it's like passing your driving test. You get through the test, but then you need to learn how to actually drive on the road!'

In this interview episode Dave covers how he got into music, his move into theatre-based tribute shows, and experiences from over a decade in the business.

Episode links:

Dave's Instagram: @davebbass

Dave's Album Recommendation:

Through The Night, by Design Rewind (2019) https://open.spotify.com/album/5UvkHhXfk7FTDDMcmBGScO

Tom Favell's had a varied career; originals, covers, weddings, cruise ships... but he keeps coming back to teaching.

Part one of my interview with him we'll discuss how he got started, and his experience as various forms of music teacher over the years, ranging from studying for a PGCE to peripatetic work, to 1:1 instrumental tuition.

Episode links:

Tom's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ttothefaz/

https://www.instagram.com/tomfavellmusic/

Tom's Album Recommendations:

Dutch Uncles- Out Of Touch In The Wild (2013)

https://open.spotify.com/album/4DRbDuBgLdcY5XC6wrBH6G?si=eYx0CzCDQZuM35TA349m7Q

Tom's new EP, 'Strangers, At Best' is out November 22nd, 2024:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0PnqBqT2AG9V09xY3IxcgH?si=1SttThl5SdWswnU1zpsh-A

Tom Favell's had a varied career; originals, covers, weddings, cruise ships... but he keeps coming back to teaching.

Part one of my interview with him we'll discuss how he got started, and his experience as various forms of music teacher over the years, ranging from studying for a PGCE to peripatetic work, to 1:1 instrumental tuition.

Episode links:

Tom's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ttothefaz/

https://www.instagram.com/tomfavellmusic/

Tom's new EP, 'Strangers, At Best' is out November 22nd, 2024:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0PnqBqT2AG9V09xY3IxcgH?si=1SttThl5SdWswnU1zpsh-A

Here's part two of my interview with hardcore function veteran, Sam Cummings.

In this episode we talk about the scenario that lead to Sam's decision to go back to school and study music formally, several war stories, and an attempt is made to call out Jake Paul (whoever that is).

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains a reference to cornish pasty-induced suicide ideation and discussion of a method. Please do not listen if you're not in a safe headspace to do so- skip this one for now and come back when you feel safe to do so.

Episode links:

Sam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsamthatplaysguitar/

The Funtime Frankies' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuntimefrankies/

Sam's Album Recommendations:

Let It Lie (The Bros. Landreth, 2013)

https://open.spotify.com/album/0buMKnyiBGlfNVvbpvYUXp?si=qfcbq_0NRXC0fsAsKeH3lA

'Four' & More (Miles Davis, 1966) https://open.spotify.com/album/1oIZBAdJ2QojYwnNCzGDNW?si=xvfjzqy6TdOBb6mtiIMmHA

Here's the first episode in a two-part interview with Manchester-based function band guitarist, Sam Cummings.

Sam's been a professional musician for his entire working life and has a whole load of wisdom to share, having started gigging professionally in his teens. He takes a very direct, no-nonsense approach to both gigging and life in general, so there's a whole load to learn from here!

Strong language from the very start.

Episode links:

Sam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsamthatplaysguitar/

The Funtime Frankies' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuntimefrankies/

Jerome is pretty much the perfect case study for Big Gig Energy- in the time since I started working on season one, he's successfully quit the day job and become a full time musician! In addition to playing sax with various function bands, and working as part of 'Sax + DJ' packages, Jerome's originals band, Good Grief, have been going from strength to strength over the last couple of years, going from a de-facto 'rehearsals only' band, to one in hot demand on the north west's jazz circuit.

I caught up with Jerome at Jack's Instrument Services in Manchester back in March 2024 to record this interview.

Apologies for the audio quality on this one- I tried out some new microphones for the in-person interview this season, and, as it happens, I was using them totally wrong 😂

Episode links:

Jerome's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerome__marcus/

Good Grief

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgoodgriefofficial/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5OQYGjlauc7Px9Wea8jo0z?si=LODYpPifRxeoKKRQkmpeUg

Latest music video, 'Nice Goin'': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vaSv1pn40w

Jerome's Album Recommendation:

Infinite Falling Ground (Ivy Lab, 2022)

https://open.spotify.com/album/1R5MzTlRprJJWOYlzV93UY?si=atoabZe1RLW96XPEdhGZxQ

There's a new agency taking the north west's wedding scene by storm- Dirtbag Entertainment.

Founders Joey Vanzetti and Matt Ridgway are both musicians, and have combined their experience working for one of the UK's leading function band agencies, with their experience forming and playing in thier own hugely successful function band, The Hustle, to create a new agency that dares to do things differently.

We met over Zoom back in March of 2024, as Dirtbag was really starting to pick up the pace...

SHOW LINKS:

Dirtbag Entertainment

Website: https://www.dirtbag-entertainment.com/

The Hustle

Website: https://thehustleband.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehustlebanduk

Showreel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naw5ZeS1wu0

Joey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeyvanzetti/

Joey's Album Recommendation:

The Impossible Kid (Aesop Rock, 2016)

https://open.spotify.com/album/6D6v19wYlLDsYkkfebOY3g?si=aJ_NwUOFQdGewZ6IsygeHA

Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gringomatt/

Matt's Album Recommendation:

You're a Woman, I'm a Machine (Death From Above 1979)

https://open.spotify.com/album/5AGKxoQIJ6MKDOiITKwH9z?si=0QLexdeWTHmWCY97F2oekg

Season 2 of Big Gig Energy coming soon!

instagram.com/biggigenergy/

biggigenergy.co.uk

Episode 10 time! Last in season! Woooooo!!

This week I'm joined by Alice Lyons; coach, speaker, podcaster, LinkedIn sensation, and reluctant ukulele/bass player.

PLOT TWIST: She'll be interviewing me!

We're going to take a bit of a deep dive into my musical career, in particular looking at a point in time when my mental health fell to bits in order to examine how to stay sane in an industry seemingly designed to destroy the mental health of those working within it.

It's deeply personal and I lay bare both my greatest successes and my darkest moments, offering advice I learned the hard way- in the hope that you won't have to.

...We'll then take a light-hearted look at my usual Big Gig Energy interview questions and I'll continue to fanboi over my old band and Stadium Arcadium!

This features strong language, and there are points where I briefly mention my own experiences with suicidality which some may find triggering.

Please only listen to this episode if you feel in a safe headspace to do so.

Safeguarding links to charities and resources such as the Samaritans are linked at the bottom of this page.

Alice's socials and links-

Podcasts:

Mind Over Grind

Solving Suicide

Websites:

Dark Coffee

Content Coaching

LinkedIn

(Epic ukulele lockdown masterpiece)

IG:

Dark Coffee

Solving Suicide

My socials and links to check out-

Curious about my 1:1 musician-to-musician coaching? 

Check out my flashy new website www.biggigenergy.co.uk 

Follow me on Instagram: 

@biggigenergy 

@steve.leggett91 

Album recommendations:

Omnium Gatherum (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard)

Stadium Arcadium (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Book recommendation:

'The Creative Act: A Way of Being' by Rick Rubin

If you've enjoyed this podcast, but have no need for my professional services, please consider 'buying me a coffee' to support my work :)

Or, even just rating this on your provider of choice would be a massive help to me if you can spare a few clicks.

***SAFEGUARDING***

Alice has recommended the below resources for those affected by adverse mental health, or keen to learn more.

INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE SUPPORT HELPLINES:⁠https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/⁠

SUICIDE SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS (UK)

Samaritans: Confidential suicide discussion and support. Free helpline available round the clock. Text - 116123. Call - 08457 909090 Email - ⁠[email protected]⁠. Website - ⁠www.samaritans.org⁠

Mind: Support and information for anyone suffering from a mental health problem. 0300 123 3393 Website - ⁠Mind.org.uk⁠

Saneline: Practical information, crisis care and emotional support to people affected by mental health concerns. Helpline: 0845 767 8000, open daily from 6pm – 11pm.

Since a certain blues guitarist (maybe) did a deal with the Dark One, music and making questionable agreements have been very closely linked.

This week we're looking at the different types of contract musicians have to face;

-Management contracts

-Record Label contracts

-Individual Gig contracts

-Agency contracts

and 

-Client contracts.

I'll take a quick look at each along with a rough guide to not getting done over :)

Party on dudes!

Curious about my 1:1 musician-to-musician coaching?

Check out my flashy new website: www.biggigenergy.co.uk

Follow me on Instagram:

@biggigenergy

@steve.leggett91

If you've enjoyed this podcast, but have no need for my professional services, please consider 'buying me a coffee' to support my work :) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigGigEnergy Or, even just rating this on your provider of choice would be a massive help to me if you can spare a few clicks