This week on Gig Gab, Dave Hamilton welcomes guest cohost Adam Moskowitz from VAM Band, diving deep into the essence of musicianship and leadership. Adam shares his unique perspective on structuring your band life around personal commitments, showcasing how he manages the VAM Band. The discussion peels back the layers on how the “Bandleader Advantage” can help you book gigs that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle, emphasizing the VAM Jam life where every performance counts. They touch upon the enriching experience the ingenious MySet Request App, enhancing gig interaction and fulfilling audience expectations—because, remember, you should always be performing. Further, they explore the transformative insights gained from legendary performances, like Phish’s iconic Baker’s Dozen in 2017, and how these experiences can redefine your band’s approach to live shows, making each one a unique spectacle. Lessons from music giants like Paul McCartney and Flea are dissected to inspire musicians to transcend everyday gig logistics. The conversation shifts to practical tips on navigating the industry and the critical importance of protecting your rate turf. They wrap up with a focus on building a community around your band and reveal the creative origins of the VAM Band’s name, blending personal connections with dynamic musical expression. Press play and enjoy, folks! 00:00:00 Gig Gab 425 – Monday, April 15th, 2024 April 15th: World Art Day Guest Co-host: Adam Moskowitz from VAM Band 00:02:00 Heading back to the Bass(ics)! 00:04:22 The Bandleader Advantage Book around YOUR life VAM Jam life 00:08:45 SXSW Martin Scorcese’s Shine a Light Film from SXSW 2008 00:11:02 MySet Request App 00:16:51 The Experience of Seeing Phish The Baker’s Dozen in 2017 Phish Boston Cream night 00:21:37 Relating Phish’s Lessons to Your Band Making Each Show Unique 00:26:48 Demolishing The Fourth Wall — And Pulling Teeth 00:33:44 Learning from McCartney Paul McCartney Flea Family Man Aston Barrett Transcending The Logistics of The Moment \00:38:19 Doing Gigs as a Front of House engineer 00:40:41 Always Be…Prepared 00:45:02 Pick Up Gig…A Story! Never Do Live Math Private Stock Band Digging into The Reserves “Here’s our asking price. If for some reason that doesn’t work for you, let’s chat.” “I want to make sure I pay everyone well.” “We were paid [x] recently…Does That Work For You?” Protecting Your Rate Turf 01:03:04 Building Your Band’s Community Musical Skydiving 01:10:28 Where did the name “VAM Band” come from? Vibrant Audio Magic Vivid Amplified Melodies Velocity Anthem Makers Very Awesome Music Family First: Vicky Adam Melina 01:14:31 Gig Gab 425 Outtro Contact Adam Moskowitz & The VAM Band Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram