Solo Musician Podcast

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.

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.

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 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!

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

Dave's back for another chat about the Dueling guitars format with none other than the Feather to his Whisker, the Lennon to his McCartney, and the Jackson to his Browne, Colin Alvarez. The two chat about the amazeballs that is Dueling Guitars. They also take some time to drop some thoughts on the REAL way to get more gigs and be a more successful performer. Check it out!!

After a few month hiatus, Host Dave Gates is back to talk about where he's been, what he's learned, and the key to getting out of your own head. There's also some gear talk about halfway through, so if you're into simplifying or upgrading your solo gigging gear, that parts for you. Submit topics and guest suggestions to SoloMusicianPodcast@gmail.com

Guest: Liam GalianoHost: Dave Gates In this week’s episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, Dave sits down with the multi-talented Liam Galiano — a passionate musician, dedicated music teacher, original artist, and a strong advocate for open mic culture. Liam shares insights into his many musical projects, the importance of nurturing local music communities, and why he believes open mics are essential for artist development. They dive into his love for coffee, the inspiration he finds in nature, and of course, a whole lot of music talk — from teaching philosophies and gig advice to creative processes. Whether you're a fellow musician, a music educator, or just love hearing about grassroots music culture, this episode is packed with stories and ideas to inspire. 🔗 Check out Liam's work: 🌐 Website: allgroovemusic.com 🎧 Spotify: Liam Galiano on Spotify

After a 21 day absence, Dave is back to rant about his mom's surgery, gigs and venues, Open Mics & EV SPEAKERS. Stick around for a sneak peek at an up & coming artist from here in Central PA, Levi Sterner.

Hook & Flask Still Works in Carlisle, PA is closing. Whether you've never been there, or you're a regular attendee of their various nights of musical entertainment, in this episode I try to explain why Hook & Flask was such an anomaly. It was a white buffalo, or a red wolf. It was the kind of place where you felt like family from the second you stepped through the doors. For many musicians, myself included, it was home. It was the date on the calendar that you looked forward to most. It was the show that would make your heart beat a little faster because you knew it was going to be incredible. Every. Single. Time. It was a place for us to commune with each other, a place for good times and great friends, a place to escape the daunting world outside its roller door. After I make my final plea for your attendance at my upcoming Hook & Flask show, I dive into some listener submitted topics and questions to round out the episode. Thank you for being here, and I hope to see you at Hook & Flask on 3/22 7-10pm.

Join host Dave Gates and special guest Colin Alvarez on this satirical episode of the Solo Musician Podcast as they dive deep into the highlights and comedic moments of their experience at the 2025 Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame Awards held at the American Music Theater on 3/5/2025! The evening was full of unforgettable performances, community, and everyone sharing in a common love of music. It was a night that brought over 1000 people from many different areas under one roof to recognize the amazing music scene in Central PA. All things considered, it was a beautiful event, and we were really honored and excited to be a part of it. That being said, there were a few standout moments and areas for improvement that left some people shaking their heads and audibly groaning in the theater. We try to recognize why those moments may not have come across to the attendees in the ways they were intended. We also talk about the Solo Musician Podcast winning 2024's Local Music Podcast Of The Year award, which was a real surprise. While we poke fun at the bounty of mystical powers winning the award has provided, I truly do appreciate the recognition for all the hours and thought that goes into producing the podcast. I hope this podcast has an overall net benefit to the scene, and I really love connecting with and showcasing other musicians. Whether you missed the awards show or want to relive the magic through a comedic lens, tune in for insider insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and all the unforgettable highlights from the first few hours of the 2025 ceremony. #centralpa #musicindustry #musicawards #localmusic #localmusicscene #musicpodcast #musiccommunity #satire #podcast #liveperformance

On this episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, Dave Gates sits down for another chat with Jason Carst, a live looping artist from Harrisburg, PA. Jason shares stories from his journey as a solo musician, revealing the tips and tricks that have helped him thrive in the world of live performance. From live-streaming every show to his thoughts on the Central Pennsylvania music scene, Jason opens up about his dedication to connecting with fans and his passion for performance. Whether you’re a solo musician, live looping enthusiast, or just curious about gigging, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice you won’t want to miss!