You’re about to get the roadmap from Luke and Will Mallett of The Mallett Brothers on what it really takes to make music a career. From playing 120 shows a year to building a loyal tribe of 2,000 superfans, the brothers break down how live gigs aren’t just part of the job—they are the job. You’ll hear how they’ve learned to follow the seasons, balance home life with relentless touring, and why collaborating with venues (and yes, printing real posters) still matters. The promo game keeps shifting—from glossy photos to viral reels—and these guys are always adapting to stay in the mix.

But don’t let the laid-back Maine vibe fool you—this is a music business. From slinging hats and 8-tracks to tracking ad spend and working their booking agent to tighten tour routes, the Malletts share the systems that keep them thriving. Growing up helping their folk-singer dad send out his mailing list taught them early that endurance matters more than luck. Whether you’re booking your own gigs or building a fan group online, your success hinges on one thing: Always Be Performing.

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If your band’s live setup feels more like organized chaos than controlled power, this episode’s for you. We’re diving into real-world band hacks that actually make a difference—from tightening up your IEM mixes with split snakes, to using a click track to start songs like a pro. You’ll also hear why phantom power isn’t the villain it’s made out to be, and how to get serious clarity from your kick drum without blowing the budget. Whether you’re rocking a basement bar or a big stage, this gear and workflow talk will level you up.

But it’s not just about sound—it’s about syncing your whole band’s flow. We cover practical tools like Google Calendar and BandHelper that take the headache out of scheduling rehearsals and gigs. Plus, you’ll get lessons learned from the madness of SXSW soundchecks, hydration tips for high-output sets, and a smart discussion about finding sponsors that actually fit your audience. As always, it’s about one thing: helping you Always Be Performing.

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What’s it like going from drum tech to mixing stadium shows for legends? In this week’s Gig Gab, you join Scottie Baldwin and Dave Hamilton as they dive into the artistry behind live sound. From getting the call from Prince’s drummer to Sheila E nudging him toward sound, Scottie shares tricks like frequency gating and translating wild artist requests—think Gaga’s “lavender knife”—into killer mixes. You’ll get insight into how musicality trumps technicality, why mixing is more like managing real estate, and how to blend audience energy with screen-streaming perfection. Always Be Performing isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s a mindset Scottie lives onstage and behind the board.

You’ll walk away with tactical takeaways: define your audience avatar, teach your engineer with clarity, and keep a Dropbox of reference tracks. Whether you’re prepping a show for JJ Lin in Asia or working FOH like Scottie did for Prince, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. Learn why adding song titles to count-offs matters, why great gear relationships matter even more, and how timecode and iPads are redefining tour precision. There’s even a sharp take on Phish’s mixes and the culture gap in musicianship. Get in, geek out, and level up your live game.

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This week on Gig Gab, you’re in for a deep dive into the gigging grind with guest co-host Derek Patten from ECE, EastCoast Entertainment. You’ll learn exactly what makes a band bookable—from tight chops to killer promo, a sharp social presence, and professional polish. If you’re not posting on Instagram, you’re not even in the conversation. Whether your band’s been around for five years or five weeks, it’s all about how well you play, how tight you are, and how you present yourself. And yes, clients hear with their eyes first—so get those videos dialed in and wardrobes on point.

Derek pulls back the curtain on managing 7,000 gigs a year, choosing the right acts for the right events, and what separates the pros from the posers. Spoiler: the best bands stick together, manage their own schedules, and bring something real to the stage. Authenticity and consistency win. Want more gigs? Know your brand, know your strengths, and build from there. Whether it’s Eighties Night or bluegrass bliss, if you’re creating unforgettable moments, you’re doing it right. Always Be Performing.

The post Is Your Band Bookable? ECE’s Checklist for Success — Gig Gab 478 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Monique Powell of Save Ferris joins you for a no-holds-barred dive into the grind, grit, and glory behind making a band thrive. From opera training to ska dreams, Monique shares how preparation and passion powered her transformation from “Mo Sing Song” to full-on band manager (and back again…and forth again). You’ll hear how she navigated shifting to external management, dealt with label fallout, and used setbacks as fuel—because when the machine breaks, you fix it or build your own. Her fight to save her voice wasn’t just personal—it became a mission driven by fans who refused to let go.

This episode’s packed with real talk on defining success, the chaos of tour-routing post-COVID, and the rollercoaster of fan engagement. Monique lays it all out: if you want to be in a successful band, be ready to sweat every detail—gear, gigs, and gut decisions. Whether it’s dodging in-ear disasters or facing your fears head-on, Monique reminds you that showing up matters most. So, lace up, lean in, and remember: Always Be Performing.

The post Monique Powell of Save Ferris: Ska, Struggles, and Sweet Comebacks — Gig Gab 477 appeared first on Gig Gab.

This week, you’ll dive headfirst into the wild ride of Joe Travers’ drumming journey—from pounding out St. Patrick’s Day gigs to landing his dream job playing Zappa’s music. Joe shares how knowing exactly what you want—and fearlessly putting yourself out there—can open doors you never imagined. You’ll hear what it’s like grooving through complex Zappa parts, blending genres, and finding your own voice behind the kit because, after all, your playing is your voice.

Joe keeps you in the pocket with tales of meeting heroes, becoming Zappa’s Vaultmeister, and holding it down with Duran Duran in massive arenas. You’ll get pro-level tips on clicks, IEM mixes, and why singing drummers need to dial it in just right. Plus, a rare glimpse at what it means to play for the music—and why sometimes, staying off social media is the smartest gig move. Stick around, because there’s only one way to approach this business: Always Be Performing.

The post The Vaultmeister’s Voice: Joe Travers on Zappa, Duran Duran, and the Power of Performance — Gig Gab 476 appeared first on Gig Gab.

Thinking about SXSW? Erin Walter and Keri Cinquina from Parker Woodland break it all down for you—from applying to playing like a pro. You’ll learn how to reach out to anyone and everyone to book your showcases, why hitting up radio stations and non-profits matters, and how to stack your SXSW week like a mini tour. Don’t skip the conference sessions—Sonic Guild Grants and mentor sessions can change your game (pro tip: show up for no-shows). And yes, tacos are essential tour fuel.

On stage or off, it’s all about connection. Whether you’re delivering like you’re playing to ten thousand or sharing roles within your band, Always Be Performing means engaging the crowd and your bandmates. Erin and Keri talk vocal coaching, singing drummers, and the gear that keeps it tight—including using a click track! They even dig into arranging songs for a power trio and making standout music videos. Because anything can happen at a gig… and you’ll be ready.

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Get ready to conquer SXSW with insider tips from this special crossover episode of Gig Gab and the Roadcase Podcast. You’ll learn how to plan your badge, map your venue hits—from Antone’s to Mohawk—and navigate scooter passes like a pro. Plus, we’re sharing can’t-miss bands, food finds, and surprise performances that’ll level up your festival game. Listen in and Always Be Performing while making the most of SXSW!

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Running a band is more than just playing music—it’s a business, and this week, you’re getting a front-row seat to the real numbers behind a self-promoted, four-walled show. Dave and guest co-host Mike Schulte from Pork Tornadoes break down the hard costs, from union labor to venue staff, and what it takes to make those ticket prices work. Is the venue actually promoting your gig, or are you on your own? Or is it better when you work together? And when it comes to pricing tiers, always prioritize the fan experience—because that’s what keeps them coming back. Whether it’s VIP tickets or GA floor, every decision affects your bottom line. Always Be Performing means knowing the game as well as you know your instrument.

Beyond the business, you’ve got to deliver on stage. Dave and Mike dig into the power of stage banter, the hidden advantage of playing in original bands when learning covers, and why oversaturation is a real risk. Are exclusive endorsements worth it, or are they just another trap? And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: lip-syncing. Is there ever a place for it in live music? This episode is packed with insights that’ll sharpen your gigging strategy and keep your performance—and your career—on point.

The post $20K to Rock? The True Cost of Putting on a Show — Gig Gab 473 appeared first on Gig Gab.

You never know where a layoff might lead—sometimes, it’s straight into launching your own in-ear monitor (IEM) company. That’s exactly what Dark Matter Audio’s Tal Kocen and Dave Friesma did, carving out a niche in a legacy industry by embracing natural sound and combining it with all the nerdy elements that go into making these things the right way.

Dave and Tal break down why ears naturally boost that frequency by 15dB, how the Harman Curve plays into tuning, and why you should watch those 150-250Hz corner frequencies. From the $699 DM2H Hybrid 2 to the $899 DMA3, they dive into what makes Dark Matter’s approach unique, balancing high-end engineering with real-world musician needs.

Transitioning to IEMs isn’t just about better sound—it’s about control. You’ve got to start with the right mindset, knowing where you’re coming from and where you’re going. Pro tip? Don’t fall into the one-IEM trap—just ask Rosanne Cash. Learn why putting drums in a submix can change your life, how to manage shared IEM mixes, and why a little education goes a long way. Whether you’re tweaking your mix or embracing the occlusion effect, one thing’s for sure: Always Be Performing.

The post Breaking Sound Barriers with Dark Matter IEMs — Gig Gab 472 appeared first on Gig Gab.