Today’s episode is a bit of a full-circle moment for me, because my guest is Dave Varriale — the host of I’d Hit That Podcast… one of the reasons this show exists.

Back in the day, Dave and his guests on Id Hit That were my companions on every drive to and from gigs — and it was the DIY magic of it: the handheld Zoom recorder, the in-person, unprepared hangs, and yeah… the legendary 2005 Ford Escape mobile recording unit.

But here’s the twist: this time, we’re flipping the mic. Dave’s been the guy asking the questions for years… and now it’s my turn to throw them at Dave.

We get into his story: New York, Spain, LA, and now Austin, Texas — where he says he “was thinking about escaping Shawshank, LA,” and the music took him toward real Texas blues and the shuffle.

And of course, because it’s Dave… we also get into the stuff nobody says out loud — why “most guys… play it safe,” why the best stories come out when “the recorder stops recording,” and why he still believes audio-only is its own artform.

This conversation was recorded 16th January 2026. Stevie in Sydney - Dave in Austin, Texas.

More info on Dave and I'd Hit That podcast, check out I'd Hit That on YouTube and Instagram, and book a haircut and shave with Dave at Cedar Park Barber Shop

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My guest today is guitarist Adam Miller — one of Australia’s most quietly brilliant musicians.

We talk about seeing the guitar like a piano, opening for Tommy Emmanuel as a teenager, touring the US as a fully self-managed artist, capturing music live in the room and much much more.

Plus, we dive into his new album Timing and the Neumann Sessions, recorded at the Foo Fighters’ Studio 606.

This conversation was recorded 14th Decemember 2025.

More info and music, check out Adam's website, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube channel.

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My guest today is Michael Paynter — Singer, songwriter, producer and multi instrumentalist with a voice you’ve heard everywhere, even if you didn’t know it.

From touring with Jimmy Barnes, ICEHOUSE, and The Veronicas, to that viral Jesus Christ Superstar performance that blew everyone away.

We talk about the long game of music — session life, solo careers, theatre, and what it really takes to stay consistent over the decades.

For more on Michael, check out his website michaelpaynter.com

This conversation was recorded 19th Decemember 2025.

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My guest today is drummer, composer, and creative mad scientist Nick Gaffaney.

Originally from Christchurch NZ, now based in LA, with a career that’s moved through jazz, free improv, cruise ships, the NZ session scene, artist residencies in India, and the heavy, uncompromising world of Cairo Knife Fight.

In this episode, we talk about the shift from being a sideman to building your own thing, why Nick is putting focus back onto drums after years of production and songwriting, and the reality of chasing creative fulfilment instead of just gigs.

Nick also speaks very openly about mental health, late ADHD diagnosis, and what it’s like to finally feel present after decades of just pushing forward through the darkness

For more info on Nick, check out his Instagram

This conversation was recorded on 05/12/2025

As mentioned in the conversation, check out Aaron Tokona.

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Yo! Stevie Taylor here.

No guest today… this one’s a bit of a pause-and-look-around moment. A wee bit of a year in review. Stick around. I’ll tell you about some of the behind the scenes stuff and my personal takeaways from some of this year’s interviews.

I’ll also answer some listener questions and let you know whats happening in 2026.

This is all set out in chapters on your app, so you can skip and bounce around to whatever section you want.

I think we're rolling...

thegiglifepodcast.com

My guest today is the one the only Tania Doko — one half of Bachelor Girl, and one of Australia’s most distinctive voices.

Bachelor Girl’s debut album, Waiting for the Day is one of my dessert island albums, so it was really neat to chat with Tania all about that time.

Also, we talk creativity versus performance, songwriting in Sweden, finding calm in the Northern Rivers, Prince, deep cuts, and why stepping away from the spotlight can sometimes reignite everything.

Check out Tania's instagram and website.

This conversation was recorded on 09/12/2025

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My guest today is singer and songwriter Hayley Teal.

Hayley’s been a professional musician since her teens — from X Factor and major sync deals to cover bands, TV show bands like Dancing with the Stars and Australian idol, and now releasing her own music fully on her own terms — all while stepping into a brand-new chapter of life as a soon-to-be mum.

We talk real industry life, burnout, songwriting without validation, and why an artist’s legacy matters more than streams.

And she’s got a crazy quarantine story…

Check out Hayley's website here and instagram here.

Hear Hayley's music on Spotify or Apple Music

This conversation was recorded on 28/11/2025

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My guest today is Tiffany Richmond.

She’s a mum, a musician, voiceover artist and coach and the creative force behind kids EDM act, Poppy Galactic.

In this conversation we talk about her journey from the early band days, to touring Europe with Sparkadia, to building a voiceover career from home while raising a family.

As well as Poppy Galatic, we dig into the craft of voice work, the hustle, the creativity, the balance—and how sharing her process online has opened up a whole new chapter for her.

Voice Witch✨🎙️✨Part-time Alien. Thats what her instagram says.

Check out tiffanyrichmond.com.au for her voiceover and coaching.

And check out out all things Poppy Galactic at poppygalactic.com.

This conversation was recorded on 17/11/2025

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My guest today, is powerhouse vocalist Ally Friendship — a singer with grit, soul, and one hell of a story.

From fronting rock bands and tribute shows to nearly 30 years working as a mortician, Ally’s journey is as unique as it is inspiring.

We dive into her career on stage, her new project Skirts, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Check out Ally's website.

Check out Ally's Instagram

This conversation was recorded on 18/09/2025

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On Sunday 19th October 2025, I got word that Virginia Lillye lost her 2 year battle with cancer. 

Virginia was a powerhouse on stage but more so a beacon of hope and positivity off it, which makes it that more difficult to believe she is no longer with us. 

In tribute, I want to share with you the parts of her life that she shared with me for this podcast. 

She made a couple of appearances on the show. The first one being in September 2020 which that conversation became episode 98 of the Gig Life Podcast. 

The 2nd time was in 2021 when she shared 4 gig stories which 2 of them featured in the A Few Gig Tales series. 

Im going to play all of that in its entirety here today. First up is the 2020 interview and directly after that is all 4 of her gig stories, so stick around till the end. 

For those that knew her, I hope you get comfort from hearing her voice, and for those of you who didnt, her spirit is well and truely alive here. Here infectious laugh, her knack of telling a great story, and of course her positivity. 

We have lost a giant.

Rest in love Virginia Lillye ❤️

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