Gig To Live
Full-time gigging musician John Voelz discusses the strategies, mindset shifts, and real-world lessons that help you build something that actually lasts, delivering smart and practical insight with a sense of humor that keeps it real and approachable. If you gig, or want to gig, this is for you.
Episodes
43 episodes
Ep 42: Proverbs and Half-Truths
In this episode, John challenges some of the most popular pieces of conventional wisdom. Inspirational sayings can encourage us, but they can also oversimplify life and business. For working musicians, a catchy phrase isn't always g...
Ep 41: My Music History Part Two
In this episode, John shares the second part of his music history, finishing the story of his first guitar and the art contest he won at a concert that allowed him to purchase it. He walks through his early performances, his jobs working for ch...
Ep 40: My Music History Part One
Prompted by a recent conversation at a show, in this episode, John shares his music history, beginning with his childhood influences, early infatuations with music, and how he won an art contest that would allow him to buy his first guitar.
Ep 39: Mountains to Die On
In this episode, John explores the importance of having convictions in business and life. Every successful person eventually reaches a point where they have to decide what they stand for, what they will protect, and what they won't compromise, ...
Ep 38: A Conversation with Dennis Welch
In this episode, John chats with singer-songwriter Dennis Welch. Dennis reached out to John a few months ago and this interview is their first official meeting.Dennis describes himself as a lifelong songwriter who is experiencing a music...
Ep 37: A Conversation with Aurora LaFond a.k.a. Sister Outlaw
Aurora LaFond is a singer-songwriter from New York who spent some time in the foothills of Northern California. Aurora goes by the moniker Sister Outlaw.Her music is folk (but not). Jazz (but not). And, it’s full of good stories.H...
Ep 36: A Conversation with Kelly Rutledge
In this episode, John chats with guest Kelly Rutledge. Kelly is the founder of Madcap Records, an independent record label based in Nevada City, California. Madcap operates out of Ancient Waves Studio and distributes music through Sony's distri...
Ep 35: What Musicians Wish Venue Owners Knew
In this episode, John talks about the things musicians wish venues knew that make the gig easier for the musician and, more importantly, the things that foster a good relationship between venue and musician.Musicians want venue owners to...
Ep 34: A Conversation with Gina Nelson, LCSW, CDWF
In this episode, John sits down with therapist Gina Nelson to discuss something musicians don't talk about nearly enough: mental health. Gina is a licensed therapist who specializes in anxiety, trauma, and EMDR therapy, and she also understands...
Ep 33: Storytime Volume Two
In today's episode, John continues what will be a podcast tradition of sharing memorable gig stories.One of the greatest things musicians can do is tell one another stories about their most memorable gigs. We encourage one another, remin...
Ep 32: Perspective in The Suck
In this episode, John takes a look at a reality that applies to just about every line of work: every job has a component called "The Suck." Even careers we love come with parts we'd rather skip.The challenge isn't eliminating The Suck. T...
Ep 31: "Mommy, Where Do Gigs Come From?"
In this episode, John tackles one of the most important questions in the life of a working musician: Where do gigs come from? This episode is in response to a few listeners writing in and asking for advice.New bookings don't ...
Ep 30: A Conversation with Seth Abstract
You asked for it. The first episode (more to come), where John talks to creators about the use of AI in music.In this episode, John sits down with content creator and musician Seth Abstract, whose unique blend of classic literature, mode...
Ep 29: The Letter, The License, and The Lawsuit (Straight Talk About BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, GMR)
In this episode, we're tackling one of the most misunderstood topics in live music: Performance Rights Organizations, or PROs. Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR are often surrounded by confusion, fear, and plenty of rumors, especial...
Ep 28: A Conversation with Trenton Wagler
In this episode, John sits down with Trenton Wagler of The Steel Wheels to talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable career in music over the long haul.Over the past two decades, Trent has helped grow The Steel Wheels from a...
Ep 27: Let's Get Real Specific About Money
In this episode, John revisits one of the topics that generated the most feedback from listeners: money. Back in March, he released a two-part series called Let's Talk About Money, and while the conversation sparked good discussion, ma...
Ep 26: Beating the Funk
In this episode, John talks about beating the funk. Not the good kind with a killer bass line. The emotional kind. The kind that sneaks in after too many miles, too much noise, too much pressure, or just . . . too much life. Instead...
Ep 25: A Conversation with Jason Keiser
Our guest today is Jason Keiser.Jason is a California, San Francisco Bay Area guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger known for blending jazz, bluegrass, old-time, and acoustic music traditions. In this conve...
Ep 24: Some Mistakes I've Made
In this episode, John gets honest about some lessons learned from years of gigging, traveling, creating, and trying to make a living in music. Every musician has stories they wish they could redo, decisions they’d take back, and mom...
Ep 23: Storytime Volume One
In today's episode, John shares five gig stories. No Top Ten list. Just a musician sharing some of the most memorable things that have happened to him along the way. One of the greatest things musicians can do is tell one another st...
Ep 22: The Childlike Musician
In this episode, John dives into the childlike qualities that often disappear as artists get older and more cautious, and why reconnecting with those instincts may be one of the most important things a musician can do for longevity, creativity,...
Ep 21: Prolific and Healthy
In this episode, John talks about the tension between being prolific and being healthy. Full-time music is hard work. It takes discipline, consistency, sacrifice, and the willingness to keep showing up. But artists can easily drift into a dange...
Ep 20: The Sacrifices We Make PART TWO
In this episode, John wraps up a two-part conversation about the sacrifices musicians make to live this life. From missed time and uncertain schedules to the hidden strain on mental health and relationships, this episode is about learning to na...
Ep 20: The Sacrifices We Make PART ONE
In this episode, John begins a two-part conversation about the sacrifices musicians make to live this life. From missed time and uncertain schedules to the hidden strain on mental health and relationships, this episode is about learning to name...