My guest today is Michael Paynter — Singer, songwriter, producer and multi instrumentalist with a voice you’ve heard everywhere, even if you didn’t know it.

From touring with Jimmy Barnes, ICEHOUSE, and The Veronicas, to that viral Jesus Christ Superstar performance that blew everyone away.

We talk about the long game of music — session life, solo careers, theatre, and what it really takes to stay consistent over the decades.

For more on Michael, check out his website michaelpaynter.com

This conversation was recorded 19th Decemember 2025.

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The Gig Life Podcast

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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The Gig Life Podcast

Yo! Stevie Taylor here.

No guest today… this one’s a bit of a pause-and-look-around moment. A wee bit of a year in review. Stick around. I’ll tell you about some of the behind the scenes stuff and my personal takeaways from some of this year’s interviews.

I’ll also answer some listener questions and let you know whats happening in 2026.

This is all set out in chapters on your app, so you can skip and bounce around to whatever section you want.

I think we're rolling...

thegiglifepodcast.com