Mike Schulte returns to Gig Gab for a deep dive into the conversations that make bands stronger. You’ll explore how band summits—those intentional moments to step away from gigs and just talk—can reset your focus, rebuild trust, and make your group operate like a real team. From redefining what success looks like to refining how you plan your shows, this episode challenges you to look beyond the stage and invest in the relationships that keep your music alive.
You’ll also dig into the systems that make the difference between chaos and consistency: smarter scheduling, simplified setups, and knowing when to say “no” so your band can keep saying “yes” to the right gigs. Whether you’re touring every weekend or just playing local spots, this is the blueprint for staying connected, staying efficient, and, above all, staying true to the Gig Gab mantra—Always Be Performing.


00:00:00 Gig Gab 504 – Monday, October 20th, 2025

October 20th: World Statistics Day
Guest co-host: Mike Schulte
A moment of self-congratulations


00:05:19 Pork Tornadoes had a packed summer…again!

Averaged 8 gigs per month from May to September
9 Shows in September, 11 in July
Started off as a bar band 18 years ago…now it’s a machine with employees
Each gig starts with $3,500 in fixed cost expenses and becomes a money machine


00:07:34 Making the internal decisions to set yourself up for future success

Learning your limits (three shows in a row for Pork Tornadoes)
Taking your contracted set time down (from 4 hours to 2 hours)
Rotating your setlist for every show…”you didn’t hear your favorite song tonight, come to the next show”
Training your crew so that you can arrive 30 minutes before soundcheck, and leave right after the encore
No more sharing hotel rooms. Each band member gets their own room. Keeps people healthier…and happier!
Simplifying our rig so that we can show up and play
Using Ethernet-based snakes like CAT-SASS


00:18:47 Building out your in-ears rack with intention

Gear Gab: Pork Tornadoes using the Midas DL251 Blue Box Rack
Mix with some drum overheads…you might find you like it!


00:23:14 Schedule a band summit

Discuss your goals
Just hang out, let the discussions happen
Be together, no gigs, no soundchecks, just a band retreat. This is how you level up with intention.


00:28:06 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Code, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab
00:29:49 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab
00:31:14 Gear Gab: Get the best kick drum sound you can with mics in the right place

May Turbo Kick
May Monorail


00:36:08 What happens when your band is pivotal to an event that is bigger than you?

Canceling the band means no one attends, no one gets to sell food, no merch, the fans who bought hotel rooms, etc


00:38:50 What are the options when a band member needs to cancel?