The Gig Life Podcast

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My name is Stevie Taylor. I’m getting the stories of the musicians, producers, performers and industry people from Australia, NZ and beyond, and bringing them to you. I think we’re rolling...

Episodes

Wednesday Dec 30, 2020

105. The Year that Was - 2020

Wednesday Dec 30, 2020

Hey, welcome to The Gig Life Podcast. Im your host, Stevie Taylor.

This is a short Year in Review episode of the podcast. My take on the year that was.

Thank you for supporting The Gig Life Podcast in 2020.
Stay safe, and i'll catch you in 2021.

I think we're rolling...

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Tune into Take One Eastside FM 89.7 every Friday from 3pm to hear The Gig Life Podcast.

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Sunday Dec 27, 2020

104. Calvin Welch

Sunday Dec 27, 2020

My guest today is Calvin Welch.

Calvin is a drummer, percussionist, songwriter and performer. He started playing professionally as a 14 year old in his home state of Michigan USA, touring with the who's who of the jazz, funk and soul scene from the 1970s onwards.

He moved to LA in the early 1980s where he continued his career as a soul/funk session drummer recording with some of the top producers of that era.

Since moving to Australia in 1988, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous local and international artists including Swoop, professor Groove, Kevin Borich, Michael Wheatley, Bek Jensen, Christine Anu, Carl Orr just to name a few.

He also writes, records and tours with his own band, global groovers – Arabesk.

Calvin is a great advocate for original Australian music and stays active promoting showcase nights and music sales through his company ihearmusic.com.

Able to play almost any genre of music, it is this versatility that ensures Calvin is in demand for live performances and recording sessions.

In 2020 Calvin became part of a new children's TV and live performance group 'The Nannas & The Poppas' which airs on ABC for Kids.

So ladies and gentleman, please put put your hands together, for the man! Mr Calvin Welch.

This conversation was recorded 18/12/2020.

Intro music: Front Ear - Arabesk (Arabesk - Front Ear 2007).

For more information on Calvin, check out his website calvinwelch.com

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Friday Dec 18, 2020

103. Jim Kelly

Friday Dec 18, 2020

My guest today is Australian guitar legend, educator and studio owner, Jim Kelly.

Jim has firmly established himself as a leading Australian contemporary jazz and blues guitarist, composer and educator whose reputation goes well beyond Australian shores.

In 1975 Jim co-formed CROSSFIRE – Australia’s most celebrated jazz fusion group.

From 1975-87 Jim perfected the rigorous demands of the recording studio and became a highly sought-after session player performing on countless jingles, documentaries, film scores plus pop and jazz artists’ albums.

Jim also performed and recorded with Australian artists Kerrie Biddell, Renee Geyer, Johnny Farnham, Debbie Byrne, John English, Tommy Emmanuel, Erana Clark, Don Burrows, James Muller and Dale Barlow, to name but a few.

The 90’s saw a change of lifestyle for Jim with a move to Northern NSW to lecture at Southern Cross University, Lismore where he was Head of Guitar Studies for 17 years.

Jim has since resigned from full-time academia and now runs a recording studio from his home – TONE RANGER STUDIO.

He has produced many fine albums and has quickly achieved the reputation of becoming a world-class Producer and Mixing/Mastering engineer.

Jim is a musician dedicated to the art of improvising, composing, performing and teaching and is always searching for new ways to expand his musical horizons.

So ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for Mr Jim Kelly.

This conversation was recorded 16/12/2020.

Intro music: Heaven Scent - Jim Kelly (Ya Gotta Love the Drummers).

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Friday Nov 06, 2020

102. Casey Burgess

Friday Nov 06, 2020

My guest today is Casey Burgess.

Casey is a singer/songwriter, dancer, actor and presenter from Sydney.

She’s easily recognisable as one of the previous member of internationally acclaimed children’s show, Hi-5 as well as co-presenter on Girl TV.

Casey also starred in Annie the Musical alongside Anthony Warlow as well as TV roles on Home Away, White Collar Blue and RAKE as well as many others.

You have more than likely seen Casey on a bunch TV commercials or presenting Australia’s largest school Story-Dance Festival Wakakirri, fronting girl group The Diamonds or hosting Carols in the Domain.

But have you heard her music? Casey has recently released her debut album Space to Breathe.

In this chat today, Casey and I talk about her career to date, the highs and lows, the trials and tribulations. We talk about her new music, listen to some songs together and she explains her process in making this remarkable album.

So ladies and gentleman, without further adieu, please give a up for the delightful Casey Burgess.

This conversation was recorded 29/10/2020.

For more information on Casey:

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Sunday Nov 01, 2020

101. Greg Henson ft Fizz Henson

Sunday Nov 01, 2020

My guests today is Australian drummer Greg Henson and his wife Fizz.

Greg’s love of drums and “all things hittable” started at school and he has made his living playing drums and percussion ever since.

His first musical was the drum chair in “Jesus Christ, Superstar” in 1972. He has played, amongst others, “Betty Blokkbuster Follies” with Reg Livermore, “Rocky Horror Show”,”Rasputin”,“Hair”, “Big River”, “Tom Waits for No Man” and in concert at the Sydney Opera House with The Beatles White Album.

Other gigs, sessions and tours have been with Baxter Funt, Jon English & the Foster Brothers, Marcia Hines, Doug Parkinson, John Waters and Slim Dusty to name a few.

His television credits include The Don Lane Show (with Bryan Ferry), “The Aunty Jack Show” and “Star Search”.

Greg has played with Chuck Berry and Christopher Cross and toured with Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers, Joe Cocker and the Beach Boys.

Fizz Henson, sister of actor and musician John Waters, was born in the UK and worked for many years at Thames Studios including work on The Benny Hill Show amongst others. Upon moving to Australia, Fizz and Greg met on gig once and the rest is history.

Greg and Fizz share many gig stories together which you’ll get to hear today as they bounce of each other.

After dinner and a couple of drinks, I just put the recorder in the middle of the table, and off we went.

So let's gets into it. Ladies and gentleman, sit back and enjoy this conversation with Greg and Fizz Henson.

This conversation was recorded 22/10/2020.

Check out Greg's Check Berry story here.

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Saturday Oct 10, 2020

99. Harry Brus

Saturday Oct 10, 2020

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 as a professional musician.

In '67 Harry jumped at the chance to play lead guitar for pop idol Johnny Young, and later joined Tony Gaha And The In People. A fortunate encounter with sax great Geoff Oakes started Harry's lifelong love affair with soul music. During these years Harry discovered bass-giant, James Jamerson, whose legendary bass style became Harry's true inspiration on the bass. Jamerson, the great Chuck Rainey and Jerry Jemmott became the three gentlemen of bass who inspired Harry's own unique bass style.

Harry has played with a host of Australian and NZ greats. Mother Earth, Renee Geyer, Kevin Borich, Australian Crawl, Tommy and Phil Emmanuel, Barry Leef, Marcia Hines Jimmy Barnes and countless others.

A workhorse of a musician, a true Australian music legend, this has kept Harry in the game for 53 years and counting.

This one’s a cracker. So sit back back and open your ears to some of the life and times of Mr Harry Brus.

This conversation was recorded 05/10/2020.

For more information on Harry Brus:

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Friday Oct 02, 2020

98. Virginia Lillye

Friday Oct 02, 2020

My guest today is Virginia Lillye.

Explosive and dynamic vocalist Virginia Lillye has wooed audiences across Australia and internationally.

Having shared the stage with Gene Simmons, Gilby Clarke, Angry Anderson, Steve Balbi, John Butler, Dan Sultan, John Paul Young, Paul Grey, Jon English, Wendy Matthews, Grace Knight, Phil Emmanuel to name but a few…. she is a force to be reckoned with.

Having also lived in Europe for 11 years, Virginia appeared in productions of the musicals ‘Cats’, ‘Grease’, ‘Hair’, ‘Fame’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘The Life’.

Virginia’s original rock band, ‘Lillye’, signed with American record label, Eclipse Records and released their debut album worldwide in May 2018. The band have won several awards internationally and were nominated for ‘Best Rock Artist’ and ‘Best Hardcore/Metal Artist’ at the Australian Independent Music Awards.

Virginia starred in the recent series of The Voice Australia by bringing her rock chick edge and grit to the show!

This one has been a long time coming. Ladies and gentleman, please raise your metal horns for the insatiable Virginia Lillye.

Intro music: "In The End" - Lillye

Outro music: "Better" - Lillye

For more info Virginia:

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Sunday Sep 13, 2020

97. TGLP Spotlight: Steve Gadd

Sunday Sep 13, 2020

Stephen Kendall Gadd (born April 9, 1945) is an American drummer, percussionist, and session musician.

Gadd is one of the most well-known and highly regarded studio drummers in the industry, recognised by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1984.

Gadd's performances on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and "Late in the Evening", Steely Dan's "Aja” , Chick Corea’s "Night Sprite" and Al Jarreau's "Spain" are legendary and are some examples of his style.

One of the most influential drummers of all time, Steve Gadd set a new standard in contemporary drumming techniques and performance, and in doing so launched a thousand imitators.

Joining me today to talk about Steve Gadd are 4 outstanding drummers, and friends of mine.

Lance Philip, Hamish Stuart, Gordon Rytmeister and Darryn Farrugia.

These guys have also previously been my guests on The Gig Life Podcast, so if you haven’t already, go and check out those episodes. See links below.

Lance Philip: Episode 56.

Gordon Rytmeister: Episode 61 & 63.

Hamish Stuart: Episode 74.

Darryn Farrugia: Episode 77.

We have all chosen a bunch of songs that Gadd has played on, and not necessarily the songs you would expect either. We will listen to parts of those songs and give our take on them. We'll talk about his influence, his sound, his legacy and hopefully do our bit too add to that legacy.

So ladies and gentleman, it's time to turn the TGLP Spotlight onto Dr Steve Gadd.

This conversation was recorded 02/09/2020.

Track List:

Pure Imagination - Bob James
Way Back Home -
Cissy Strut - US Army Field Band
Tea Bag - Steps Ahead
What Do You Want - Lee Ritenour
Love Lies - Michael McDonald
In This Love Together - Al Jarreau
Six Million Dollar Man - Randy Waldman (Super Heros)
The Jealous Kind - Joe Cocker

For more information on Steve Gadd:

For more detailed show notes, go to thegiglifepodcast.com.

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Saturday Sep 05, 2020

Episode 96: The Musicians Inn

Saturday Sep 05, 2020

Today's episode is a little bit different.

Back at TGLP episode 93, my guest was Rob Rhodes. Rob has a Facebook live video show called The Musicians Inn where he invites people on to talk with him about different topics relating to music, the music industry. Ive been very lucky to have been invited onto his show twice now. The first time was back in May 2020 and the topic was podcasting. That was fun.

Recently, Rob asked me back to join the panel along with Bennet Livingston and Peter Hope, to talk about Music/Work balance. We discussed things like our day jobs, challenges involving working full time as well as juggling gigs, coping with long hours, favourite gigs, near misses and horror stories as well as a bunch of other stuff. We thought it a great idea to share that conversation with you today. I hope you take something away from it. It was informative, and a wee bit of fun too :)

If you want to watch the video version of this, I have put a link in the show notes.

Check that out, or follow The Musicians Inn Facebook page and catch all the upcoming discussions, as well as the back catalogue of past episodes.

This conversation was recorded 19/08/2020.

Check out The Musicians Inn here on Facebook.

The Musicians Inn is brought to you by Rob Rhodes.

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Saturday Aug 29, 2020

Episode 95: Tony Azzopardi

Saturday Aug 29, 2020

My guest today is percussionist, Tony Azzopardi.

Tony grew up in Sydney, the youngest of 15 children with his mother and father coming from Malta.

Music was always in the family with Tony’s first band being the family band called Africa, with his brother Marz, the drummer of the band, being particularly influential to Tony’s early development as a musician, and as a percussionist.

These were the early to mid 70s. Tony has been a professional musician ever since, having played with live or recorded with the a lot of the best including Doug Parkinson, Marcia Hines, Roger Frampton, Jenny Morris, Mark Hunter , Andrew Oh, Richard Clapton, Gina Jeffries, Jeff Duff, Tina Arena, Ian Moss, Barry Leef and many others.

Tony was also the house band percussionist for Australian Idol.

In an effort to pull back a bit from constant touring and gigging, Tony and his friend created DRUMBEAT, an interactive drums and percussion show that would tour Australian schools.

In 2011, Tony got very ill with cancer. Yet during treatment, he stilled went out and gigged.

After beating that cancer, it was time for a change so he packed up and moved out of Sydney. He now spends his days on his farm in the hunter region of NSW, and he still plays everyday.

So without further ardue, Ladies and gentleman, please give it up for Tony Azzopardi.

This conversation was recorded 18/08/2020.

For more info on Tony:

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