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
52 episodes
Ep 51: Controversial Music
In this episode, John kicks off Season Two of Gig to Live with a look at controversial music. Some songs were controversial when they were released. Others became controversial years later as culture changed around them. So...
Ep 50: Life on the Road
In this episode, John celebrates 50 episodes of Gig to Live and the end of Season One by talking about what it’s really like to live on the road full-time—the freedom, the benefits, and the realities that don’t always get talked about....
Ep 49: The Wise Person and the Cynic
In this episode, John introduces two characters who share a lot of experiences that have shaped them . . . The Wise Person and the Cynic. They’ve both been around. They’ve both paid attention. They’ve both been disappointed, surprised, burned, ...
Ep 48: Let's Talk About Aging
In this episode, John talks about aging as a musician.We celebrate longevity, but we also make jokes about artists who stay working too long. We admire experience while remaining obsessed with youth. So let's talk about aging...
Ep 47: It's All Scotch
In this episode, John brings together two things he loves deeply: music and single malt Scotch.On the surface, they may not seem to have much in common. One belongs on a stage, the other in a glass. But spend enough time with either one ...
Ep 46: The Spaces We're In
In this episode, John explores something every musician needs but rarely thinks about: attention to space. The spaces we live in, work in, play in, create in, rest in. There’s a science to it and a felt human need for us to pay attention to it....
Ep 45: SOUL over SKILL
In this episode, John explores what is actually most important about music performances. What do people remember? What do they talk about with their friends? Why will they (or won’t they) return to your shows? If you've...
Ep 44: It's Not About 3 Hours
In this episode, John responds to a Facebook post he made about paying professionals a good rate. He was surprised by some of the comments that came from some professionals and business owners. No one was combative in their posts, b...
Ep 43: AI Never Made Me Cry
In this often requested episode, John takes a bit more time to share his thoughts on AI and its use in music. He addresses some of the fears and talks about humankind's long battle with any new technology. He also suggests we may be asking the ...
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...