Gigging Solo

This week, Christine and Rick talk about something that challenges all small-business owners (and honestly, most people) at one time or another: maintaining a healthy gigging schedule with a healthy lifestyle. Music-making for a living is hard work! The duo discuss how they try to keep it all in balance.

This week, Christine and Rick go a bit deep with their looping experience and talk about what makes a great loop-friendly song, and a great arrangement. They talk about what they look for in their own arrangements, and what makes a performance memorable and impactful for an audience.

This week, Christine and Rick talk to a veteran of the looping and YouTube space: New Zealand musician David Shanhun. David is near and dear to each of us as someone who has inspired and at times taught us the craft that we lean into for all our solo gigging endeavors: looping! We hope you enjoy our absolutely delightful chat with him this week.

Follow David online!

Website: www.davidshanhun.com

https://www.instagram.com/davidshanhun/

https://www.youtube.com/@davidshanhun

(also, Rick's secret Alpaca-based gig: https://www.instagram...

In this Episode of Gigging Solo, Christine and Rick talk about how to be successful when working with a sound person. Ways to prep, how to communicate, and how to make their and your life as easy as you can.

In this Episode of Gigging Solo, Christine and Rick try to answer the question of why they choose to make their living playing music. There are easier ways to make a living, but it will become apparent in this conversation that "easy" was never really the aim.

In this episode of Gigging Solo, Rick is joined in-studio by the LA musician, singer and booking agent Olivia Pucci! Christine and Rick talk to Olivia about turning a performance into an experience, navigating the music industry, crafting an image and personal brand, and much, much more. Definitely check out this great conversation.

In this episode of Gigging Solo. Christine and Rick talk about the gear they would recommend for someone getting started doing loop shows of their own. With a focus on gear that they’ve used themselves that delivers good value for the money, how affordably can you start your own loop show? Tune in and find out!

In this episode of Gigging Solo first, the streamer and live-looper Rob Gregerson stopped by to have a chat with Christine and Rick! They talk about making music, live-streaming, and the way music brings people together in many different settings.

Note: this was recorded right before the unfortunate and sudden death of Glen Hansard

R.I.P. to a true talent (1970-2026)

Rather than describe this in vague terms in this description, here’s the “this-could-have-been-an-email” version:

We’re moving to every-other-week! This will give us the time to better promote the podcast, do higher-quality episodes and (hopefully) more interviews. We talk about the rationale of the choice and what you can expect from us in the future.

We appreciate all the support and we’re looking forward to leveling up Gigging Solo, but at a pace that won’t burn us out. See you next week!

In this episode, Christine and Rick take a little detour from music-making to talk about the specter of generative AI (or LLMs) in our world. The duo focus on the safest ways to engage with this technology, as musicians, humans, and small business owners. Though notably, this topic is relevant to musicians and non-musicians alike

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about every musician’s nightmare. How do you make it through a gig when you just don’t “have it”? You know that feeling. Maybe it’s your voice, maybe it’s your rhythm, or maybe you’re just not feeling it that night. Here’s how the Gigging Solo crew finds their way through to the other side.

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about how to make your stage an extension of your professional brand. The duo have learned that a “stage” can take many forms: sometimes it’s a proper stage under bright lights, and sometimes it’s in the corner of your local coffee shop.

In this episode, Christine and Rick flip the script a bit and talk directly to venues. How can you set up your venue for success and attract the right talent to fit your vibe? Tune in for a discussion of the things that the duo has noticed that the best venues have in common.

In this episode, Christine and Rick take a break from the serious business of making music and talking about making music to chat about cinema! What movies inspire (or enrage) the pair? Tune in for a fun diversion and find out!

In this Episode Christine & Rick chat on the art of practice.

"In this Episode, Christine and Rick talk about the experiences of being in bands - and since they mostly play solo - what they don't particularly miss about it when they're playing alone."

In this Episode Christine and Rick discuss the importance of looking the part for your gigs! Join us on this topic!

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about the realities of pain and injury the pursuit of a career playing music. With an emphasis on prevention, the duo talk about things you can do to make your music career as long, productive, and hopefully pain free as you can.

In a Gigging Solo first, the Australian live-looper Nullibi stopped by to have a chat with Christine and Rick in this episode! They talk about making music, and in particular using a programmer's mindset to create live-looping mad science.

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about non-musical skills that have an outsized impact in the pursuit of performing for audiences for a living. Trying to get a music performance career off the ground? You’d be surprised at the skills that helped get us there.

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about one of the biggest challenges to being a gigging musician, and in particular a solo performer - it can be lonely out there! Here’s how they try to cope with that.

In this episode, Christine and Rick share some of their worst gear-related horror stories and how they right the ship when some part of their kit decides to test them in front of a live audience.

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about one of the biggest challenges to being a gigging musician, and in particular a solo performer - it can be lonely out there! Here’s how they try to cope with that.

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about their strategies to get to a “yes” to get in the door at a new venue. It’s an imperfect science, but what has the Gigging Solo crew learned about it?

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about one of the hardest words to say as a gigging musician: “No.” When is it right to refuse a gig? Listen and find ou

In this fun faux-debate episode, Christine and Rick explore the arguments for (and against) having tablets on stage. Is it an invaluable tool of the trade or a vibe killer?

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about how to keep from losing the joy of playing music when you do it for a living. One thousand Wonderwall requests later, how do you stay motivated?

Stuff that makes you sound good, and stuff that makes you feel good when you get to the gig - in this episode, Christine and Rick talk about the tools of their trade they appreciate most.

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about some of their favorite “dark horse” songs to wake up an audience and get things going at a gig.

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about how to be consistent and cultivate a professional musician reputation.

Topics:

In this episode, Christine and Rick talk about how to deal with common (and sometimes uncommon) types of challenging gigs, especially as it pertains to playing for crowds that give you none, or the wrong kind of energy.

Hey everyone! In this episode Christine and Rick cover what you need to go from playing in the garage to playing your first venue! Come join in on the fun!

In this episode we talk about some of our favorite things about being a solo performer. Many of which are pros and cons! So come join us in the fun of this conversation.

Gigging solo is a podcast that dives into the real-world experiences of being professional solo performers.

Christine and Rick explore a wide range of topics from gigging logistics to creative process, with a strong focus on looping and live performance.