The Gig Life Podcast
The Gig Life Podcast
Podcast Description
Yo! I'm Stevie Taylor! Join me for an intimate, behind-the-scenes journey into the world of professional music-making. The Gig Life Podcast features candid conversations with musicians, producers, performers, and industry professionals who share their unfiltered stories from the stage, studio, and road.
What sets this podcast apart is the relaxed interview style. Forget formal, rigid Q&As—these conversations flow naturally, as if you’re eavesdropping on two friends catching up over coffee or drinks. A warm approach creates a comfortable space where guests open up, share laughs, and reveal personal insights they might not disclose in traditional interviews.
Each episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of building a career in music, showcasing diverse voices primarily from Australia and New Zealand’s vibrant music scenes, alongside international guests who bring global perspectives. From breakthrough moments to challenging setbacks, creative processes to business insights, these authentic discussions reveal what it truly means to live the gig life.
Whether you’re a music industry professional, an aspiring artist, or simply curious about the human stories behind the music you love, tune in to experience the genuine connections with each guest—making you feel like you’re right there in the room, hanging out with friends who just happen to have fascinating stories from the music world.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The content primarily revolves around the personal stories of artists and the challenges and triumphs of their music careers. Topics include breakthrough moments, touring experiences, collaborative projects, and insights into the creative process. For instance, episodes feature discussions on artist collaborations, like Charlie Wooton and Arsène DeLay's musical journey in New Orleans, and reflections on diverse genres and performance dynamics, such as jazz influences in contemporary music.
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 curious creative, you’ll find real talk, inspiration, and insight in every episode.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…
My guest today is drummer, composer, and creative mad scientist Nick Gaffaney.
Originally from Christchurch NZ, now based in LA, with a career that’s moved through jazz, free improv, cruise ships, the NZ session scene, artist residencies in India, and the heavy, uncompromising world of Cairo Knife Fight.
In this episode, we talk about the shift from being a sideman to building your own thing, why Nick is putting focus back onto drums after years of production and songwriting, and the reality of chasing creative fulfilment instead of just gigs.
Nick also speaks very openly about mental health, late ADHD diagnosis, and what it’s like to finally feel present after decades of just pushing forward through the darkness
For more info on Nick, check out his Instagram
This conversation was recorded on 05/12/2025
As mentioned in the conversation, check out Aaron Tokona.
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Disclaimer
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