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 [email protected]

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