The Gig Life Podcast
The Gig Life Podcast is a long-form conversation series hosted by Stevie Taylor that dives deep into the lives, careers, and creative journeys of musicians, producers, and industry professionals across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Since 2018, the show has featured candid and insightful conversations that go beyond the stage lights—covering everything from early influences and career-defining moments to the challenges and triumphs of making a life in music. With over 160 episodes, The Gig Life Podcast has become a trusted space for authentic storytelling, celebrating both well-known names and hidden gems of the music world. I think we're rolling...
Episodes
My guest today is drummer and composer Alexander Flood.
From tabla to house beats, from Adelaide to Europe – Alex has carved out his own lane, blending electronic textures with the raw power of live drums.
We talk new albums, touring, and what it takes to be a true solo artist.
Hope you dig this chat, and go check out his music.
https://alexanderfloodmusic.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/alexander_flood
This conversation was recor...
My guest today Queensland guitarist, producer, and composer Joel Hunt.
A month ago I hadn’t heard of Joel Joel, but he sent me some links, I hit play, and straight away I thought, where’s this guy been hiding? His new album AudioVisual is a stunning mix of funk, rock, ambient, and electronic sounds, featuring some serious heavyweights—members of Snarky Puppy, Tycho, Corey Wong’s band, and even Aaron Sterling and Sean Hurley from Joh...
To celebrate Jim Kelly's bithday, here is our 2020 podcast interview. One of my personal favourite interviews. I hope you enjoy it. Stevie.
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 – Australi...
My guest today is Luke Davison.
Drummer for The Preatures, Dean Lewis, Delta Goodrem and more.
Humble, thoughful and a real player.
We chat about his early days growing up in Sydney, working at Drum City, learning from legends like Pete Drummond and Reece Cameron, and chasing the dream of being a session guy before finding his groove in original bands.
We talk about the various projects Luke is involved in including The Preatures &am...
My guests today — joining me all the way from New Orleans — are Charlie Wooton and Arsene DeLay.
Charlie’s a monster bass player, originally from Lafayette, Louisiana. He’s toured the world, played with legends like Cyril Neville, Doug Wimbish, and Sonny Landreth, and carved out his own sound blending zydeco, Cajun, funk, and soul with his band, Zydefunk.
Arsene? What. A. Voice. She’s from New Orleans and comes from a long line of ja...
My guest today is Brett Garsed.
A guitar virtuoso, Brett is renowned for his work with John Farnham and is also well known for his hybrid picking technique and legato-style guitar playing. “Brett Garshred,” some call him.
Brett takes us through his musical journey, including the John Farnham gig, his time with the band Nelson, and collaborations with drumming legends like Virgil Donati, Bobby Rock, Gerry Pantazis, and Dennis Chambers...
My guest today is Ali Foster.
From growing up in Western Sydney with a musical family, to earning stripes in jazz at the Con, hitting the road with the Hussy Hicks, playing with Beccy Cole, and sharing practice sessions from the back of her van — Ali’s journey is all groove and grit. Life on tour, journaling for clarity, and learning to swing from the ride cymbal up, Ali’s the real deal.
For more info on Ali, check out her ...
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 prote...
My guest today is Chris Kamzelas
A 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 i...
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.
F...
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.&nbs...
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 w...
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.
He’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 f...
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:
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 w...
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:
This conversation was recorded 31/01/2025
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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 yo...
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 ...
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...
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 stopp...
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