The Real Gig

The Real Gig is a weekly column collecting the stories, observations, opinions, and advice of NEPA songwriter, engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Bret Alexander. Look for it every Friday on NEPA Scene.

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Of dragons and honey bees – finding the truth in songwriting

THE REAL GIG: Of dragons and honey bees – finding the truth in songwriting

What a week, right? With all eyes on the election and current events, I feel strange sitting down to write about music, but I won’t get into any of the trending topics out there. Today, I am going to pull things in close and talk about something that matters very much to me – songwriting. […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Knowing when it’s not working – the strange language of artistic intuition

THE REAL GIG: Knowing when it’s not working – the strange language of artistic intuition

Some days, I sit down and write these columns and I have a really solid idea, like last week. Sometimes, I have no ideas, like the week before. Well, this week, I sat down and realized I had about seven ideas… all at once. Before I knew it, I have written about 1,000 words on […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Steamtown Music Awards remind us that musicians are local heroes too

THE REAL GIG: Steamtown Music Awards remind us that musicians are local heroes too

Last night, I went to the Steamtown Music Awards at The V-Spot in Scranton. It was a great night of catching up with friends and fellow Northeastern Pennsylvania players, writers, and producers. As I got up this morning, I found myself thinking about an event that happened to me 20 years ago. I was at […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Gumption traps and how to avoid them to complete your project

THE REAL GIG: Gumption traps and how to avoid them to complete your project

I have a session and two gigs today, so I need to write fast for this one. I’m giving myself one hour starting… now. Over the past few months, I have been slow with my writing, both blogging and songwriting. I’ve been in the studio nonstop and playing more than I ever have in my […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: When to shut up and what that can do for your hopes and dreams

THE REAL GIG: When to shut up and what that can do for your hopes and dreams

Have you all seen the Snickers commercials where there is some toxic person ranting and raving until someone gives him a Snickers and he turns back into his happy-go-lucky self? Well, a friend of mine recently pointed out a meme to me that says, “I ate a Snickers and I’m still an asshole.” I’m going […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Musicial context and the art of sound ownership

THE REAL GIG: Musicial context and the art of sound ownership

Context. In music and just about everything else in life, everything hinges on context. Author Tom Robbins said, “Style is the conduit through which substance must flow.” In other words, if you have an important message for someone, you have to get their attention first. No one is going to take the time to listen […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: How making music and cooking are related – going back to the source

THE REAL GIG: How making music and cooking are related – going back to the source

Since my wife is a baker (and a damn good chef, too) and I’m a musician, inevitably there are many late-night discussions in our house about the similarities between music and baking (or cooking in general). This brings up the essential truth about both disciplines – if something ain’t right, go back to the source. […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Get rid of broken things – and people – before they destroy you and your art

THE REAL GIG: Get rid of broken things – and people – before they destroy you and your art

My father had many sayings, little quotes he would go to at certain times. One was, “Bret, if you don’t straighten up, we are both going to the hospital – to get my foot out of your ass.” That was one of his favorites… and one of his most feared. My mother had a few, […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Your story may be the most important part of making – and selling – your music

THE REAL GIG: Your story may be the most important part of making – and selling – your music

You see, I remember reading a story, but I don’t remember where it came from. It was about an old Native American woman who found herself and her family living on a reservation, destitute and hungry. She noticed that white people did not take care of each other out of the goodness of their hearts; […]

 Bret Alexander

THE REAL GIG: Focus on what you’re good at and stop forcing what you’re not – listen to the Primal Ear

THE REAL GIG: Focus on what you’re good at and stop forcing what you’re not – listen to the Primal Ear

Here’s a Catch-22. Old people love to give advice. I am not sure why. For the most part, young people do not dig receiving it. This is unfortunate from both sides. Grandpa likes to believe he has figured everything out after all those trips around the sun. In other words, he is set in his […]

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