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.

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.

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Sean Monahan from Gale Bird joins Dave Hamilton to walk you through their path of being successful working musicians in an original band. You follow Gale Bird’s path from college songwriting to a 13-year hiatus and a full-tilt return that finally landed Gale Bird on a label. You hear how the band treats music as both passion and business, blending Sean’s production chops with Joshua’s marketing instincts to create songs that connect. You get reminded that “overnight success” takes decades, and that everyone who hires you is thinking in terms of return. Failure, lineup changes, stalled gigs… they’re not roadblocks, folks, they’re prep for the next shot. That’s where you lean into the mindset: Always Be Performing.

You also learn how the label helps identify the songs that will land, how playlist strategy works, and how Gale Bird built a digital identity alongside their live-show firepower. You dig into their content engine, daily-posting experiments, AI reels, and the push to film everything. Collaboration becomes a skill, not an accident, and you see how respecting different strengths keeps the whole machine running. Gear Gab rounds it out with a bit of a wishlist: Kempers, custom Teles, splitter snakes, and the stress test of soundcheck when tech goes sideways. Press play and enjoy!

The post From Hiatus to 250K Streams: The Gale Bird Story with Sean Monahan — Gig Gab 511 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look with Train’s drummer Matt Musty and host Dave Hamilton as they dive deep into gig wisdom, touring tips, and pro gear secrets. Learn why being on time, managing your role smartly, and balancing music, money, and the hang is essential for a successful music career. From handling days off and staying rested on the road to mastering in-ear monitors with creative mic setups, this episode is packed with actionable advice every touring musician needs. Always Be Performing with fresh insights that keep you inspired and ready for every show.

Discover how Matt approaches touring with diplomacy, band dynamics, and staying connected to home life while on the road. Explore favorite microphones for perfect in-ear sound, how to avoid a sterile IEM mix, and the importance of scheduled fun time to keep social media engaging. Whether you’re a musician, live sound enthusiast, or fan of the tour life, this episode offers a masterclass in professionalism and passion to elevate your musical journey and keep your performance sharp night after night.

The post Gig Wisdom & Scheduled Fun Time with Matt Musty of Train — Gig Gab 510 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You drop into this episode walking side-by-side with David Leaf as he revisits the moments that shaped his life around Brian Wilson’s genius. You hear how Brian needed unconditional connection to create, how Leaf found himself driving tour vans, sitting in private Sinatra rehearsals, and realizing he had to earn his place in those rooms. From LA trips with legends to the spark that made him pack up, move west, and chase Brian’s story head-on, you feel the lesson hit hard: keep moving forward and Always Be Performing.

You also get a front-row view into the musical engine behind Brian Wilson’s world. Leaf breaks down the jazz-rooted harmonies, the devotion of Brian’s touring band, and the emotional work that helped Brian reclaim his confidence. You learn how Pet Sounds floored Lennon and McCartney, why Paul might be the biggest Beatles fan alive, and why Leaf argues Brian deserves solo induction into the Rock Hall. Along the way, you’re guided through The Reel Beatles class, the making of Smile, and the books that document it all, leaving you with the sense that loving music isn’t passive… it’s a craft you show up for every day.

The post Inside Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles with David Leaf — Gig Gab 509 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You know that moment when a gig just clicks — when everyone on stage suddenly realizes it’s more than just a show? That’s where this episode starts. You’ll hear how saying “yes” to new gigs can lead to unexpected magic, how the right players bring out the best in each other, and why being open to unfamiliar styles can change everything.

Then the conversation gets gloriously geeky as Dave Hamilton and guest co-host Daniel East dive into using Waves plugins live, connecting your Mac to a console via Dante, and why automixing is almost—but not quite—ready for primetime. From heart to hardware, it’s all about finding balance between feel and finesse. Always Be Performing.

The post Live Music, Live Mix: The Magic and the Math — Gig Gab 508 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In this episode, you’ll join Dave and returning guest co-host Adam Moskowitz, Chief Groove Officer of VAM Band, as they dive headfirst into the world of nanny tracks, first-gig chaos, and future-proofing your sound. From building tracks in Reaper to rehearsing smarter—not longer—you’ll learn how technology can help you bring your band’s best show to the stage fast.

Then, it’s all about mindset: dealing with last-minute cancellations, navigating new players, and keeping your cool when the curveballs fly. Whether you’re warming up your voice with R.E.M. or re-negotiating pay on a sub gig, this episode reminds you that gigging is equal parts art, attitude, and adaptability. Keep your groove steady and—Always Be Performing.

The post Tangents, Tracks, and Tenacity — Gig Gab 507 appeared first on Gig Gab.

In this solo hang, you dig into the real tools that keep your sound clean and your gigs tight. You’ll learn how to tame noisy tracks with the Accusonus ERA bundle, Waves Clarity Vx, and iZotope RX, plus a few quick tricks from SoundDesk to make your mixes shine. Then it’s time to talk ears—Huberman-style—with magnesium and NAC tips for keeping your hearing sharp long-term. Because if you can’t hear it, you can’t play it.

Listener questions hit everything from cleaning your old Ultimate Ears to handling last-minute gig cancellations, balancing bar shows with private gigs, and keeping your band’s calendar under control. You’ll even pick up some practical gig wisdom—like the right way to tie up cables and hoses. Finally, gear gets its due with reviews of the Alesis Turbo Max electronic kit and Dark Matter DMA6 custom IEMs, plus hot takes on the Roland DrumLink, D’Addario Backline backpack, Zoom Q2n-4K, and microphone troubleshooting. It’s all about sharpening your setup, your sound, and your mindset—because you know the rule: Always Be Performing.

The post Sound Better, Gig Smarter: Tools, Tips, and Gear That Work — Gig Gab 506 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week, you’re sitting down with funk legend James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players! From his jazz roots and early gigs at age 14 to shaping the groove of “Love Rollercoaster” and “Fire,” Diamond shares how precision, persistence, and passion built one of the most iconic sounds in funk. You’ll hear stories of wild recording schedules, late-night gigs, and the unforgettable moment Stevie Wonder first heard “Fire.” Through it all, Diamond reminds you that love—and music—is truly a rollercoaster.

Diamond also talks about what it takes to keep a band together, why preparation is everything, and how to push your career forward when no one else will. His message? Stay seated, stay belted, and enjoy the ride. Always Be Performing.

The post Laughs, Life, and Lessons with James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players – Gig Gab 505 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Mike Schulte returns to Gig Gab for a deep dive into the conversations that make bands stronger. You’ll explore how band summits—those intentional moments to step away from gigs and just talk—can reset your focus, rebuild trust, and make your group operate like a real team. From redefining what success looks like to refining how you plan your shows, this episode challenges you to look beyond the stage and invest in the relationships that keep your music alive.

You’ll also dig into the systems that make the difference between chaos and consistency: smarter scheduling, simplified setups, and knowing when to say “no” so your band can keep saying “yes” to the right gigs. Whether you’re touring every weekend or just playing local spots, this is the blueprint for staying connected, staying efficient, and, above all, staying true to the Gig Gab mantra—Always Be Performing.

The post Beyond The Stage: How Band Summits Change Everything – Gig Gab 504 appeared first on Gig Gab.