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, 2025December 15th: National Cupcake DayGuest co-host: Demetri Papanicolau from Notso Costley ProductionsNAMM coming up!GG Coverage Sponsor: Ultimate Ears Pro!00:02:19 From Fidelity Financial Consultant to Acquiring and running a Booking AgencyJosh Logan, local to New Hampshire, did Rock Star Supernova and then The VoiceAnd then…Demetri wins the Black Brimmer’s Rock Star ManchVegasDoors opened!00:05:33 Singing AC/DC and Zeppelin in high school to vocal lessons00:06:06 Learning harmonies by singing The Beatles00:07:32 Playing in an original band that became a cover band00:10:05 Learning while not playing…big ears!Submitted to America’s Got Talent00:13:39 Taking new gigs even when they scare the heck out of youA 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 takeBe selective!00:17:17 Alice and Chains becomes the thread to the story00:18:51 COVID derails (and delays) some gigs…oh how we remember!October and November, 2020When an acoustic duo gig turns into a full band on stageRotten Apple forms! A tribute to Alice and Chains00:22:28 Always performing with passion…and perfection!Developing that non-verbal communication00:28:22 Bonding as harmony singersWhen you find that magic formula with someone, stick with it!00:33:41 Putting the time in for continuous growthMaintaining beginner’s mind00:34:07 Finding those right partners where it’s a good hangWhen your FOH Jim Roese, FOH with Fuel, Melissa Etheridge, and also Rotten Apple00:37:44 Running a booking agencyWorking for both the venue and the performerHaving a roster of musicians: solos, duos, trios, full bandsBeing in the performer’s shoes helps Demetri be a coach to bands AND venues to ensure smooth sailing00:42:48 Reading the room goes a long00:44:15 Demetri’s advice for making it work (or not work)To get on the roster: Have a good EPK and promo kitOnce you’re on: responsiveness, being available, managing your schedule00:46:24 Demetri’s biggest juggling act: adapting to last-minute changesThe time Casual Gravity cancelled last minute!Reliability is huge00:54:17 Venue feedbackDraw isn’t always the most important thingBe a pro on the mic. Represent the venue.Play the right songs.Keeping the venues happy allows Demetri to book his roster of performers00:57:43 Raising rates for the performerNew 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 profitable01:05:03 Carrying on Paul Costley’s legacy and tradition with Nosto Costley ProductionsTook a voluntary buyout package from Fidelity to make the time to acquire the agency12/31/2021 was the day Demetri took over…and stopped cutting his hair01:09:20 Gig Gab 512 OuttroFollow Demetri PapanicolauNotso Costley ProductionsOn IG @DemetriPapanicolauContact Gig Gab!@GigGabPodcast on Instagram[email protected]Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing ListThe post Booking Smarter, Singing Harder: Demetri Papanicolau on Gig Life — Gig Gab 512 appeared first on Gig Gab.