The Gig Life Podcast

byStevie Taylor

InterviewsHistoryMusic

The Gig Life Podcast is a long-form music interview series hosted by Stevie Taylor, featuring in-depth conversations with musicians, producers, songwriters, and industry professionals from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. Since launching in 2018, the show has shared authentic stories from the people behind the music — exploring creative journeys, career breakthroughs, studio sessions, touring life, and the realities of making a living in music. With over 160 episodes, The Gig Life Podcast has become a trusted platform for Australian and NZ music storytelling, featuring well-known artists, rising session players, and behind-the-scenes industry voices. Whether you’re a musician, music fan, or c...

Episodes(40 episodes)

REPLAY - A Few Gig Tales #2

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 protect the innocent and guilty.Todays episode features 3 tales.First...

Published: Jun 12, 2025Duration: 13m 51s

My guest today is Chris KamzelasA 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 in The Rocking Byrds amongst others, and he has some new mu...

Published: Jun 1, 2025Duration: 1h 11m 11s

REPLAY - A Few Gig Tales #1

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. Followed by Fab Omodei and his story about an interesting experience in a theatre show band pit.<...

Published: May 20, 2025Duration: 19m 49s

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. This conversation was recorded 01/05/2025--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<...

Published: May 18, 2025Duration: 1h 9m 40s

Stevie Taylor interview on Everyday People 92.7FM

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 where we are today, keep listening. Hope you dig it. Check out the video...

Published: Apr 20, 2025Duration: 30m 58s

Hamish Stuart returns

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.Ep 77. Hamish StuartEp 97. TGLP Spotlight - Steve GaddHe’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 fun hanging with Hamo. I hope you dig it.Check out Hamish's instagramT...

Published: Apr 10, 2025Duration: 1h 1m 45s

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:Tim Baltes - LinktreeThis conversation was recorded 14/03/2025<...

Published: Mar 23, 2025Duration: 1h 1m 3s

Andy Bickers - Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil & The Eagles.

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 was an awesome hang. Hope you dig this conversation.More info on Andy:Ander Bickers on In...

Published: Mar 10, 2025Duration: 1h 51m 10s

Dom "DcD" Cabrera

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:FacebookInstagramThis conversation was recorded 31/01/2025--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.<...

Published: Feb 9, 2025Duration: 1h 12m 13s

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 you know that he sang the...

Published: Oct 27, 2024Duration: 1h 50m 50s

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 you, forever.Listen to us dissect where we are from, what we d...

Published: Oct 13, 2024Duration: 1h 59m 13s

Joe Accaria Returns

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 Sound Machine.Always good times hanging with Joe. Ho...

Published: Sep 30, 2024Duration: 1h 40m 20s

Harry Brus - IN REPLAY

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 as a professional musician.In...

Published: Apr 23, 2024Duration: 1h 37m 3s

Kerry Jacobson (Dragon / Ian Moss / Mondo Rock / Filthy Animals)

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:InstagramFacebookThis conversation...

Published: Apr 21, 2024Duration: 1h 16m 13s

Fran Kora returns

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 on Kora, see links below:InstagramFacebook<...

Published: Apr 7, 2024Duration: 33m 54s

Carlos Adura (Tim Finn / The Strides / Skunkhour)

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:InstagramFacebookYou can check out Nick Weaver's...

Published: Apr 1, 2024Duration: 1h 35m 34s

Dan Maher returns! (Australian Idol / The Masked Singer / Dancing with the Stars)

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 for the Australian Idol house band for 2024....

Published: Feb 14, 2024Duration: 1h 19m 27s

Serg Dimitrijevic (Earth, Wind & Fire / Intergalactix / Ariana Grande / Justin Timberlake)

My guest today is Serg Dimitrijevic.Serg is a guitarist from Sydney, now living and working in LA.Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Heart, Aretha Franklin...well they are just a few of the artist that Serg has worked with.Serg is currently the guitarist for the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF).Also, check out his Indie/Electro Instrumental Funk project, IntergalactixFor more info on Serg, check out the links:InstagramFacebookThis conversation was recorded 24/01/2024<...

Published: Jan 31, 2024Duration: 1h 25m 31s

Gerry Pantazis (Tommy Emmanuel, Bachelor Girl, Darryl Braithwaite, Richard Marx)

My guest today is Gerry Pantazis.Gerry is a drummer from Melbourne. 40 + years in the live, recording and theatre scenes, he's played with Tommy Emmanuel, Bachelor Girl, Darryl Braithwaite and Richard Marx, to name but a few.For more info on Gerry, check out the links:InstagramFacebookThis conversation was recorded 17/01/2024--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.<...

Published: Jan 21, 2024Duration: 2h 3m 3s

Jade MacRae Returns

My guest today is Jade MacRae. She's back!Jade first appeared on The Gig Life Podcast in April 2019, that became Episode 42.Check that out here.5 years on, she returns to talk about life and new music.For more info on Jade, check out the links:InstagramFacebookWebsite: jademacraemusic.comThis conversation was recorded 09/01/2024 at Starfish Club Clovelly.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal.<...

Published: Jan 12, 2024Duration: 40m 6s