Podcast Episode Summary: Playing in a Band - Part Two

Introduction

In Part Two of this conversation, we go deeper. This isn’t just about being in a band—it’s about what it means to live a creative life, with all the messy, beautiful, chaotic parts that come with it. Katherine picks things back up with Dave, a guitarist who’s been in more bands than most of us have friend groups, and together they unpack everything from the personalities you run into in the music world, to what it feels like to carry gear, lead rehearsals, and maybe even walk away from something you once loved.

As a writer, this episode hit differently. It’s less about music and more about rhythm—the kind we try to find in our work, in our relationships, and in the way we build a life around our passions. If you’ve ever tried to create something with other people, struggled to find your voice in a group, or wondered if you’ll always love the thing you’re building… this one’s for you.

Also, yes: we talk about the underrated bands you should be listening to. You're welcome.

Let’s hang.

Here's the link to this specific podcast episode on my website. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other major platforms!

Timestamps

00:00:44 What sort of personality types do you notice, do you come across?

00:03:17 What are private gigs like?

00:04:17 On a what?

00:04:56 What is it like hauling equipment?

00:09:28 So what is a physical item that you cherish and with everything having to do with playing in a band?

00:09:37 What is one item if something were to be burning and you had to go in and run and get one thing?

00:14:18 So when reading books and journals and watching MTV and just getting all of this information, there's bound to be out of date tools or terminology.

00:14:32 As far as playing in a band or learning more about music, how much change have you seen over the years?

00:14:39 Are there terms that used to be used or tools that are just kind of now just really nice paperweights?

00:21:12 Do you like taking in full albums?

00:21:18 What is it for the people that don't really do that anymore?

00:21:21 What are they missing out on?

00:25:01 What kind of legalities might be involved with this sort of thing?

00:26:56 Tell me about tryouts

00:32:38 How does one quit a band?

00:33:45 So we talked about having friends with a band, around a band, knowing creatives. How is it like dating in that aspect?

00:34:08 Is there a certain balancing act that one must do?

00:38:30 Are there people that follow the band just because?

00:40:17 How do you communicate with your band members during a show?

00:44:32 Murphy's law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. What is something that is perhaps often overlooked or forgotten before you start playing, where it takes the entire band to say, Don't forget that

00:47:34 How do you book a gig?

00:53:04 How long is the typical set for you?

01:00:19 If you were to buy a piece of equipment right now, splurge, what's something that you want to splurge on right now?

01:05:31 I guess what I'm asking is, if it's the standard, if it's what everybody's getting, is that necessarily a good thing?

01:11:14 What's a band that you think is underrated that you cannot love more, that everybody needs to listen to?

01:13:51 How you find more information in this, is just being involved with it.

01:15:21 If somebody wasn't in this field, if somebody had never played in a band, never experienced what you or, you know, the somewhat general population of people that have played in a band, if somebody wasn't in this field, they would never believe what?

01:19:41 Do you think you'll always have this passion?

Key Takeaways:

1. There’s a whole social ecosystem inside a band.

   Personality types matter. Communication matters. You can feel it when someone’s not vibing, even mid-song. And like in any group dynamic, especially creative ones, learning how to navigate people is just as important as learning your instrument.

2. Equipment is heavy. Emotionally and physically.

   From hauling gear to choosing that one cherished piece you’d run into a burning building for, equipment isn't just tools. It’s identity, memory, comfort. There’s a weight to it all, literally and metaphorically.

3. Creativity and culture evolve—and so do musicians

   Dave reflects on how much has changed over the years: gear, language, listening habits. As creatives, we’re always adapting. The tools might shift, but the core—expression, connection, joy—all stays the same.

4. Breakups happen in bands, too

   From quitting a band, losing a gig, or even navigating dating in a music-heavy life, there’s a lot of emotional navigation that goes on behind the scenes. These are real relationships with real stakes.

5. Passion doesn’t fade—it just deepens

   That final question hits hard: Do you think you'll always have this passion? For anyone who’s pursued a creative life, this is the question that lingers. Dave’s answer? It’s clear that when you build your life around what you love, the passion might change forms, but it never really goes away.

Editor's Note:

As a writer, I’m always looking for stories that blur the line between everyday life and something bigger. This conversation delivers exactly that. Where Part One gave us the foundations of playing in a band, Part Two digs into what happens when the lifestyle takes root in your identity. From gear fails to gig wins, to the quiet heartbreak of quitting a band or the vulnerability of being seen by people who truly understand what you're about — this episode is less about music and more about being human in creative spaces.

What stood out to me most? The emotional honesty. Dave doesn’t just talk about playing music, he talks about the life around it. The relationships, the community, the internal dialogue every artist knows: Am I doing this right? Do I still love this? Will I always love this?

This one’s for the creatives who know that passion isn't always glamorous, but it's always worth it.

Links & Resources:

• Check out Jackson and the Poolsharks on their website, Spotify, Apple Music, and Instagram.

• Listen to Part One from the "Playing in a Band" series here.

Passion doesn't fade, it just deepens,

Katherine Arkady