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.
All content for Solo Musician Podcast is the property of Dave Gates and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
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.
Knocking on Doors: Scouting New Venues Like a Solo Pro
Solo Musician Podcast
2 months ago
Knocking on Doors: Scouting New Venues Like a Solo Pro
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.
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.
