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Gigging Archives - Page 4

How to Get Called Back for the Gig (Or Not)
Ask Damian Erskine

How to Get Called Back for the Gig (Or Not)

So I just came home from a recording session and the conversation I had before I split had me thinking for the entire drive home. We were speaking about a few other bassists that the band had tried to use, and the various issues they encountered. The songwriter chimed in at that point with a story about one of the...

Working Through the Hiccups in a Band
Ask Damian Erskine

Working Through the Hiccups in a Band

Q: My band and I have started playing out in bars and clubs, and one thing keeps me on edge: No matter how much we prepare and rehearse, there are always hiccups. How do the pros know how to deal with things going wrong (like someone going to the wrong section of the tune, the drummer drops a beat or...

A Drummer’s Perspective on Bass Playing
Ask Damian Erskine

A Drummer’s Perspective on Bass Playing

For this week’s column, I asked a good friend of mine – Seattle-based drummer Tarik Abouzied – to talk about what he looks for in a bassist, from a drummer’s perspective. I thought he may have some insights as he’s also a pretty phenomenal bassist, in addition to being a complete badass on the drums. Whenever I can’t make one...

The Lightbulb Moment: Rehearsal — Treat It Like A Gig
The Lightbulb Moment

The Lightbulb Moment: Rehearsal — Treat It Like A Gig

Your phone lights up with a text message about a gig next Saturday night… score! You’re available, the money is decent, and your drummer friend recommended you. It’s an overall win! You accept the gig and receive a follow up text: “Let’s rehearse Tuesday night.” Thankfully, you’re free, but you realize that you only have 48 hours to learn all...

Preparing for Multiple Gigs
Ask Damian Erskine

Preparing for Multiple Gigs

Q: What advice do you have for making time for all the different gigs that you have to prepare for? I freelance with more than 20 different groups ranging from standards on the upright, to a wedding band (lots of pop soul tunes to learn accurately), to original music and sometimes orchestral reading concerts. It’s difficult to be prepared and...

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 4
On the Road with Peat Rains

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 4

Part 4 – Tallahassee/Atlanta/Chattanooga/Charlotte/Louisa Tallahassee, FL – The Wilbury Our original tour routing didn’t include Florida. But like the songs we play, the original concept greatly varies from the final product. We had heard so many mixed reports of touring in Mississippi and Alabama from other musicians, as well as some close comedian friends. Half of them said to skip...

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 3
On the Road with Peat Rains

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 3

Part 3 – Fort Worth / Denton / Austin / Houston / New Orleans Fort Worth / Denton, TX – Shipping & Receiving / Gatsby’s Mansion We were zero for three after our last solid anchor date on this tour. As feared, the Midwest was predictably financially draining for us. While we made some solid fans and had a good...

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 2
On the Road with Peat Rains

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 2

Part 2 – Windsor/ Holland / Lafayette / Des Moines / Lawrence / Fayetteville Windsor, ON – Phog Lounge: We’re en route to Windsor, Ontario today and it’s storming out. I feel nestled in my cocoon in the backseat listening to chiptune music on the speakers (driver’s choice for this leg). The rain slapping the windshield, occasionally accented by thunder...

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 1
On the Road with Peat Rains

On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 1

Part 1 – Boston/Burlington/Montreal/Toronto Introduction: We’re currently trudging along Queen Elizabeth Highway in Ontario, Canada. It’s a long stretch of nothingness road flanked by featureless forests and rest stops with Tim Horton’s menus in French. It will be a long haul from Montreal to Toronto today. It’s Day Four of a twenty city tour throughout Canada and the United States....

When It’s “Go” Time, Make Sure to Hit the Gas!
Ask Damian Erskine

When It’s “Go” Time, Make Sure to Hit the Gas!

As so often happens, I was recently having a conversation with a musician before a gig and we both commented on how that conversation would make a great No Treble column. First a little background: This guy is a great guitarist that I know and play with relatively often. He’s been actively trying to make a mark in the music...

Getting Back to Basics in a Band
Ask Damian Erskine

Getting Back to Basics in a Band

Q: I’d like some advice on a sensitive issue. I find myself working with a band whose musical ambitions seem quite often to outstrip their technical abilities. While it is always a good thing to stretch yourself, I can’t help but feel that a grasp of some the fundamentals might be something worth considering. How do I broach this subject...

Drinking on the Gig?
Ask Damian Erskine

Drinking on the Gig?

Q: I know that my question is very sensitive because this affects us in different ways and it might raise ideas to others I would like to ask: How does alcohol affect your playing? I do not want to hear that it is not suitable at all to play and drink (or drive) but rather what are the effects on...