Solo Musician Podcast

In this candid solo episode, host Dave Gates dives into a fiery social-media post from local musician Zach King, who recently took aim at performers using iPads onstage and AI-generated flyers to promote their gigs. Zach’s post—equal parts frustration and tough love—called out what he sees as laziness and a lack of artistic respect in today’s music scene. Dave explores the conversation from both angles: - Why Zach has a point about authenticity, supporting fellow artists, and the value of putting real creative effort into your craft and promo. - Why the other side matters too, including accessibility, modern workflow realities, and the idea that using tools doesn’t automatically make a musician less committed or less “real.” It’s a nuanced look at artistry, practicality, and where the line really is between cutting corners and keeping up with the times. Whether you swear by paper charts or swear by your tablet, this episode asks the bigger questions about what it means to be a musician in 2025.

In this episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, host Dave Gates takes a vulnerable look at the slow, silent experience of losing touch with your creativity as a solo musician. There’s no big breaking point — just a gradual drift, until one day you realize you feel miles away from the music you used to love. This episode seeks to unpack the emotional flatline that often follows: the numbness, the self-doubt, and the quiet questions that echo louder when you’re creating alone. Do I even want this anymore? Was I ever good enough? Would anyone notice if I walked away? Dave tries to reframe disengagement not as a failure but as information — a signal that something needs to shift, not stop. You’ll hear thoughtful guidance on gently reconnecting with your art, from rediscovering music as a listener to lowering your creative expectations and remembering what first lit the spark. “Disengagement” is a reassuring reminder that creative seasons ebb and flow. If you’re feeling disconnected from your music, you’re not alone — and your return will be more powerful than you think.

Booking gigs doesn’t have to be painful — or embarrassing. In this episode of The Solo Musician Podcast, we’re breaking down a no-BS, modern strategy for booking more shows in 2026. Learn how to build a gig-ready online presence, craft messages that actually get replies, and stop wasting so much of your time chasing the wrong outcomes. From open mics to the almighty follow-up, discover where the real opportunities are hiding this year. Whether you’re tired of unanswered emails or just want to fill your 2026 calendar with paying gigs, this episode will show you exactly how to stop sucking at booking gigs — and start performing as much as you want.

In this episode of The Solo Musician Podcast, host Dave Gates takes you behind the scenes of his first-ever trip to New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes region — a two-day, boots-on-the-ground mission to scout potential venues for his 2026 tour. With a HUGE shoutout to his friend John, Dave recounts the experience, the lakeside drives, and the 45 venues he visited around Keuka and Seneca Lakes — all part of the grind of booking gigs as an independent artist. You’ll hear how Dave approached each venue like a pro: walking in with confidence, starting genuine conversations, dropping a card (and sometimes a tip), and keeping notes in the parking lot after each stop. He shares his honest reflections on nerves, persistence, and people skills, plus key takeaways on what worked, what didn’t, and why the “don’t be annoying” mindset might just be your best business strategy. Stick around for bonus tips — including Dave’s Facebook group hack for finding venues in new regions — and get inspired to take your own music hustle on the road. Perfect for: Independent musicians, DIY bookers, and anyone curious what it really takes to get gigs when you’re a one-person operation.

From historic taverns to open mics and hometown bars, this week was all about playing live and connecting with people through music. I’m talking about: • Penn’s Tavern — why I love historic venues and that tough-to-get booking convo with the owner. • Wednesday Open Mic — my most-viewed post ever, a full signup list, and a mix of mandolins, violins, and political songs. • Friday at Liquid Noise — hometown crowd energy, a glitchy request system, and those epic 2-hour sets. • Saturday at the Horn Pub — first pedalboard run, big crowd interaction, and the reminder that if you’re having fun, they are too. Plus: a quick rundown of my next adventure — scouting venues in the Finger Lakes. Hit play to hear the stories, the lessons, and the laughs behind a week full of gigs.

Ever wonder what it’s really like to make a living as a solo musician? Dave Gates and Colin Alvarez get real about low pay, burnout, unreliable gigs, and the unseen grind behind the music.

This week's guest is Kevin Raubenstine. Kevin is a solo acoustic musician from the Lancaster, PA area. We chat about our similar experience with entry model Taylor guitars, what draws us to perform, the importance of open mics, the effect of the pandemic on live music, and a bunch of other music and non-music related topics in between. As always, thanks for listening, make sure to follow Kevin on all the things and share this podcast with your friends! For guest booking inquiries or suggestions, hit us up at solomusicianpodcast@gmail.com

This week's guest is a good friend of mine, and a fellow musician. Scott Braasch currently performs in the Central Pennsylvania area as a solo artist (Crash Acoustic) and in a duo called Crash & Cross. Scott and I talk about his start in music, his legendary father, what drives him as a musician, his songwriting process and a MILLION other things. Make sure to follow Crash Acoustic and Crash and Cross on all the social media to stay up to date with Scott's upcoming music releases!

This week's guest is Ariana, lead-singer from the powerhouse band RUINESS. We chat about our shared experience in the West Side Singers program, tour life, social media hater kink, gear, chasing goals, and sooooo much more. Check out RUINESS on all the things, you'll be glad you did!

In this weeks episode, Megan Miller ( from the Megan & Dave Duo ) RETURNS to the podcast to chat about open mics, learning guitar theory, live sound mixing, and so much more. Dave talks about band shows, acoustic-solo-act venue saturation, and frankly, anything else that pops into his double Red Bull fueled head. For more info on the Megan and Dave Duo, check out their link tree: https://linktr.ee/megananddaveduo

Our very first guest, Mr. Kevin Nelson, is BACK to talk about all things audio. From running open mic sound, to how to properly structure your gain for a stable base to your mix, Kevin is a wealth of knowledge. We chat about solo music saturation, compensation for musicians, and his experience as an entertainment manager & radio D.J. Feel like you'd be a great guest? SoloMusicianPodcast@gmail.com

Dave's back for another chat about the Dueling guitars format with none other than the Feather to his Whisker, the Lennon to his McCartney, and the Jackson to his Browne, Colin Alvarez. The two chat about the amazeballs that is Dueling Guitars. They also take some time to drop some thoughts on the REAL way to get more gigs and be a more successful performer. Check it out!!

Dueling guitars is the best idea ever. I also chat a bit about being canceled for stupid reasons, helping musicians get paid, and more.

After a few month hiatus, Host Dave Gates is back to talk about where he's been, what he's learned, and the key to getting out of your own head. There's also some gear talk about halfway through, so if you're into simplifying or upgrading your solo gigging gear, that parts for you. Submit topics and guest suggestions to SoloMusicianPodcast@gmail.com

Ramblings about being background noise, a puppet, a jester, and a real ass person. Further ramblings include open mics, band gigs, and YouTube.

Guest: Liam GalianoHost: Dave Gates In this week’s episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, Dave sits down with the multi-talented Liam Galiano — a passionate musician, dedicated music teacher, original artist, and a strong advocate for open mic culture. Liam shares insights into his many musical projects, the importance of nurturing local music communities, and why he believes open mics are essential for artist development. They dive into his love for coffee, the inspiration he finds in nature, and of course, a whole lot of music talk — from teaching philosophies and gig advice to creative processes. Whether you're a fellow musician, a music educator, or just love hearing about grassroots music culture, this episode is packed with stories and ideas to inspire. 🔗 Check out Liam's work: 🌐 Website: allgroovemusic.com 🎧 Spotify: Liam Galiano on Spotify

🎙 Solo Musician Podcast - "The Pre-Show Pow-Wow" Host: Dave Gates Guests: RJ Conrad & Colin Alvarez In this lively episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, host Dave Gates sits down with fellow performers RJ Conrad and Colin Alvarez to talk all things music—and a whole lot more. With Dave & Colin's upcoming gig at West Shore Theater opening for RJ's band Rascal Revival on May 16, 2025 just around the corner, the trio dives into what fans can expect from their performances and how they're prepping for it. But it doesn't stop there. The conversation takes plenty of hilarious and honest turns as they discuss: 🎶 The pros and cons of using tablets for lyrics and chords 🚪 The fine art of the Irish exit 😬 How (and if) you should tell your musician friends they suck 🎤 Venue nightmares and booking headaches ...and plenty of other musician-life gems. Whether you're a seasoned solo artist or just music-curious, this episode delivers real talk, laughs, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.

After a 21 day absence, Dave is back to rant about his mom's surgery, gigs and venues, Open Mics & EV SPEAKERS. Stick around for a sneak peek at an up & coming artist from here in Central PA, Levi Sterner.

Shout-out to listener Laura for this week’s topic! When booking a gig, both musicians and venues come to the table with a set of expectations—but do those expectations always align? In this episode of The Solo Musician Podcast, we dive into the crucial conversation of what artists expect from venues and what venues expect in return. From fair compensation and professional treatment to promotion efforts and audience engagement, we break down the key points that both sides need to understand for a successful partnership. We’ll cover: ✅ Why venues should promote performances as much as musicians do ✅ The importance of clear communication and mutual professionalism ✅ What makes a gig financially viable for both the artist and the venue ✅ How musicians can draw and retain audiences to keep venues thriving Whether you're a seasoned performer or just stepping into the live music scene, this episode will help you navigate the gigging world with confidence and clarity. Tune in now, and let’s bridge the gap between venues and musicians—one gig at a time! 🎵✨

Hook & Flask Still Works in Carlisle, PA is closing. Whether you've never been there, or you're a regular attendee of their various nights of musical entertainment, in this episode I try to explain why Hook & Flask was such an anomaly. It was a white buffalo, or a red wolf. It was the kind of place where you felt like family from the second you stepped through the doors. For many musicians, myself included, it was home. It was the date on the calendar that you looked forward to most. It was the show that would make your heart beat a little faster because you knew it was going to be incredible. Every. Single. Time. It was a place for us to commune with each other, a place for good times and great friends, a place to escape the daunting world outside its roller door. After I make my final plea for your attendance at my upcoming Hook & Flask show, I dive into some listener submitted topics and questions to round out the episode. Thank you for being here, and I hope to see you at Hook & Flask on 3/22 7-10pm.