The Gig Life Podcast
Yo! I'm Stevie Taylor! Join me for an intimate, behind-the-scenes journey into the world of professional music-making. The Gig Life Podcast features candid conversations with musicians, producers, performers, and industry professionals who share their unfiltered stories from the stage, studio, and road. What sets this podcast apart is the relaxed interview style. Forget formal, rigid Q&As—these conversations flow naturally, as if you’re eavesdropping on two friends catching up over coffee or drinks. A warm approach creates a comfortable space where guests open up, share laughs, and reveal personal insights they might not disclose in traditional interviews. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of building a career in music, showcasing diverse voices primarily from Australia and New Zealand’s vibrant music scenes, alongside international guests who bring global perspectives. From breakthrough moments to challenging setbacks, creative processes to business insights, these authentic discussions reveal what it truly means to live the gig life. Whether you’re a music industry professional, an aspiring artist, or simply curious about the human stories behind the music you love, tune in to experience the genuine connections with each guest—making you feel like you’re right there in the room, hanging out with friends who just happen to have fascinating stories from the music world.
Episodes
My guests today — joining me all the way from New Orleans — are Charlie Wooton and Arsene DeLay.
Charlie’s a monster bass player, originally from Lafayette, Louisiana. He’s toured the world, played with legends like Cyril Neville, Doug Wimbish, and Sonny Landreth, and carved out his own sound blending zydeco, Cajun, funk, and soul with his band, Zydefunk.
Arsene? What. A. Voice. She’s from New Orleans and comes from a long line of ja...
My guest today is Brett Garsed.
A guitar virtuoso, Brett is renowned for his work with John Farnham and is also well known for his hybrid picking technique and legato-style guitar playing. “Brett Garshred,” some call him.
Brett takes us through his musical journey, including the John Farnham gig, his time with the band Nelson, and collaborations with drumming legends like Virgil Donati, Bobby Rock, Gerry Pantazis, and Dennis Chambers...
My guest today is Ali Foster.
From growing up in Western Sydney with a musical family, to earning stripes in jazz at the Con, hitting the road with the Hussy Hicks, playing with Beccy Cole, and sharing practice sessions from the back of her van — Ali’s journey is all groove and grit. Life on tour, journaling for clarity, and learning to swing from the ride cymbal up, Ali’s the real deal.
For more info on Ali, check out her ...
First published in 2021, A Few Gig Tales is coming back! Check out this previous episode in the popular series.
This is A Few Gig Tales #2.
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes?
In this sub series of The Gig Life Podcast, you will hear some interesting tales, stories, anecdotes of life on the road, stage and studio, told by the musicians and artists that were there.
Sometimes the names will be changed or removed to prote...
My guest today is Chris Kamzelas
A guitarist from Sydney, Chris first came onto my radar back in the early 2000s as he was part of the Australian Idol band.
He was also in the first band of The Voice Australia. Since then he’s gone on to play with everyone!
Back in 2019 we did a guitarists roundtable podcast which Chris was part of the panel.
Currently part of Russel Crowes band, The Gentleman Barbers, he also plays around town i...
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes?
In this sub series of The Gig Life Podcast, you will hear some interesting tales, stories, anecdotes of life on the road, stage and studio, told by the musicians and artists that were there.
Sometimes the names will be changed or removed to protect the innocent and guilty.
Todays episode features 3 tales:
First up is Phil Ceberano and his story about a talented dancing hero.
F...
My guest today is Ben Todd.
From Adelaide and from a long family line of drummers, Ben spent 13 years with Cirque du Soleil as drummer and musical director and these days plays with Dojorise, The Superjesus as well as other theatre shows including Beauty and The Beast which he is currently on.
Be also has a podcast./YouTube channel called Drummers Perspective.
For more info on Ben, check out his Instagram and Facebook.&nbs...
Yo, Stevie Taylor here.
A little bonus episode for you today.
As you may know, I was born and raised in a small town in Wairarapa region on NZ called Masterton.
Recently I was invited onto a local Wairarapa radio show called Everyday People on Arrow FM. Hosted by Camille Watkins.
If you want to hear a little bit about my early days back there in NZ and how we got to be w...
My guest today, well he’s no stranger to the show. Hamish Stuart is back.
Hamo’s first appearance on the show was back in early 2020, and he was also part of the Stevie Gadd Spotlight episode panel.
He’s back to talk about what’s he’s been up to, including working with Jim Moginie, Rob Hirst, Jade MacRae, Don Walker and a bunch of others. Always f...
My guest today is Tim Baltes.
Tim is a drummer and producer from Wisconsin in the US who now lives in France.
You may know Tim from his kooky and whacky instagram page timbofromkeno, but I got to know who Tim was through his Drumless Tracks on Bandcamp. A wonderful resource for drummers.
In this conversation, we talk about all of that and more. Hope you dig it.
More info on Tim:
My guest today is Andy Bickers.
Andy is a saxophone player, originally from New Zealand and now living in Australia.
From NZ bands Backdoor Blues Band, Smokeshop and Netherworld Dancing toys, to a long time association with Midnight Oil, a few Eagles gigs here and there, to just recently coming off the road with Cold Chisel on their 5-0 tour…Andy is a session saxophonist, jazz to the roots but a rock n roll attitude. This w...
My guest today is Sydney Drummer, Dom Cabrera.
You may have seen Dom play with 3PerCent, Jess Mauboy, Conrad Sewell, Sexy Sunday Jam, Milan Ring and many others.
Dom is endorsed by Sonor Drums and Ufip cymbals.
More info on Dom:
This conversation was recorded 31/01/2025
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My guest today is the mighty Mark Williams.
A lot of you have most likely heard Mark's smash hit Show No Mercy which was pretty massive in the 90s, and he had another big hit in NZ in the 70s with Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life, but there are many other facets to Mark career.
He’s a great song writer, he’s been a session singer, and back up vocalist for the likes of Jenny Morris, Ian Moss and many others.
Did yo...
My guest today…well, this is something a bit different. The Kumpnee is a band that I have been a part of since 2011. The history of the band goes back much earlier than that. We are 5 kiwis, based in Australia that wrote and played some pretty awesome music.
We came close to hitting the mark of success together but fell short. But through all that we remain close and the music we made is there, its magic to us, and it’s there, for ...
My guest today, well Joe Accaria is back!
Joe and I first sat down together for a chat in early 2019 for what became episode 32.
It was great to sit down again after 5 years and chat about what he’s been up too. The progression of the stage show Velvet, the inception of Drummer Queens. We talk about drums and drummers, electric vs acoustic and he gave me a vocal lesson.
He also has a new project, with his mates, called Lakemba...
To celebrate Harry's 75th birthday on Tuesday 23/4/24, here is his 2020 interview in replay.
My guest today is bass player Harry Brus.
Born in Austria, Harry and his family moved to Australia when he was 7 years old.
Inspired by Hank B Marvin and The Beatles, Harry first picked up the guitar as a teenage.
In '65 his band The Amazons scored a record deal with Festival Records and since then he has never stopped working...
My guest today is Kerry Jacobson.
Kerry is a drummer, original from Wellington NZ until he moved to Sydney to join Dragon.
He played on all thos big Dragon hits such as "April Sun in Cuba", "Are You Old Enough" and "Rain" to name a few.
Kerry also plays in Mondo Rock and has been the longtime tubsman for Ian Moss.
He also has his own band, Filthy Animals.
For more info on Kerry, see links below:
...
My guest today is no stranger to the show. Fran Kora is back!
It was great to reconnect again after a couple of years.
His band, Kora, have been busy. Lots of new music and a very full summer run of shows in New Zealand.
Kora are about to hit the Australian shores in early April 2024 for a run of shows.
Fran's previous apperances on the show were Episode's 18 and 117. Please check them out.
For more info o...
My guest today is Carlos Adura.
Carlos plays drums for Tim Finn, The Strides, Skunkhour, The Tambourine Girls, Mr Ott and many more.
Whilst in town for rehearsal with Tim Finn for Bluesfest, Carlos and i met up at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney for a chat.
There's alot of goodness here. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as i did.
Stevie.
For more info on Carlos, check out the links...
My guest today is Dan Maher. He’s back!
Currently part of the Australian Idol House Band and The Masked Singer amongst many other projects.
Dan was previously on the podcast back June 2019. TGLP Ep 48 that was. Go back and check that out.
It was awesome to hang with Dan again. Heaps has happened in the almost 5 years since we last talked.
We caught up a couple of days before he had to report back for duty...
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