• After the Gig #148 | I’ve got some splannin’ to do
    Apr 14 2026

    Well it seems like my last podcast struck a nerve. But, it’s for good reason. Let me be clear... Not all AI is bad. It’s an incredible tool, and i’d be a big fat lier if I said I didn’t use it for some things. I feel like this video/podcast is necessary to clearly state where I draw the line. Some artists/creatives are 100% against it, and some can’t get enough. It’s a spectrum.

    With anything new, there is going to be fear and a hesitation to change. In the case of AI, I feel the fear is legitimate. People are losing their jobs at a pretty regular pace. People who thought their chosen professions were safe, and stable. With AI, it’s thrown all of that up for debate. What was once stable, might not exist anymore, and there’s only a few people at the helm when it comes to your livelihood.

    As artist, it’s important we ask questions about what the AI is trained on. It isn’t the magic we thought it was at first. What we thought came from thin air is actually training on something that already exists. Something that someone painstakingly created from a craft they spent decades honing. Something that should be considered intellectual property. Enjoy this episode as I examine all of this.

    Best,

    Jesse

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    14 mins
  • After the Gig #147 | Does AI Make Music Dead? Challenging Suno's CEO on Creativity
    Apr 7 2026

    In this episode I let out a little bit of frustration after hearing a (now viral) comment from Suno CEO, Mike Shulman. While Suno marks a historic change in growth to how we create music as a tool. Suno is going in a direction that is destructive to real artist everywhere. I’m VERY curious of your thoughts. Am I crazy? Am I just old man Jesse that isn’t ready to adapt to the times. I’m legitimately unsure, but I DO know that Suno’s AI trains off of real performances by real people to develop their content, and they don’t give credit for it… That’s an undeniable wrongdoing in my view. Let me know below, and enjoy the episode.

    Side note. There was no newsletter yesterday because of Easter. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and a very happy Easter!

    Best,

    Jesse

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    After The Gig

    If you or someone you know finds value in the After the Gig Podcast/Newsletter, be sure to like, comment, and share with a friend. If you want to go above and beyond, and become a true hero, please consider clicking below to become a paid subscriber



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    18 mins
  • After the Gig #146 | Barry Privett & Eric Hutchinson - “Not Everyone’s walking around with shoulders”
    Mar 4 2026

    Recorded live on the Rock Boat, this conversation with singer-songwriters Barry Privett and Eric Hutchinson is one of the most wide-ranging and fun episodes we’ve done.

    Jesse, Jon Markel, and Barry Privett of Carbon Leaf get the show started. Joining them about halfway through the show is singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson, known for his sharp, hook-driven pop and a devoted live following.

    We cover a lot of ground: life on the Rock Boat, Eric’s hiatus and creative refocus, weird beach massages, Barry’s love of The Struts, Eric’s new podcast Songversations, and the never-ending balancing act between artistry and the music business.

    You can check out Eric Hutchinson’s new podcast “Songversations” here or wherever you listen to podcasts!

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    @afterthegig



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    59 mins
  • #145 After the Gig Live - feat. NEEDTOBREATHE, Scott Terry, Will Hoge & Jon Markel
    Feb 26 2026

    This week’s episode is very special. Available here, youtube, and all podcast platforms. It’s the first ever live After the Gig in front of an audience! We truly had a blast recording this, and I hope you thoroughly enjoy it. Thank you to everyone who showed up and brought the energy. This episode features an amazing performance by NEEDTOBREATHE, and a big announcement by Scott Terry and Will Hoge. Make sure you stick around till the end to catch that performance. Lastly, thank you to Sixthman, and The Rock Boat for making it happen!

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    After The Gig



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    44 mins
  • #144 Jason Anick - “I think of improv as composing in real time”
    Feb 18 2026

    Jason Anick is a violinist, educator, and Berklee College of Music professor specializing in jazz improvisation. In this conversation, we explore the art of teaching improvisation, building a sustainable practice routine, and Jason’s unique approach to helping students master the fingerboard.

    In this episode:

    * How Jason’s teaching philosophy has evolved over 14 years at Berklee

    * The concept of “the floor” - your baseline level of musicianship that always needs to improve

    * Why the best students are their own best teachers

    * Thinking of improvisation as composing in real time

    * Breaking down the fingerboard: exercises that build mastery without overwhelming students

    * The balance between obsessive listening and developing your own voice

    * Jason’s new book “Violin Fingerboard Mastery” and how it came together during the pandemic (Here’s the link to buy it on Amazon!)

    * Upcoming projects: a live album, contemporary jazz arrangements, and solo violin compositions (J-Dudes!)

    * Why you need to be obsessed with jazz - or forget it

    After the Gig is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

    Jason Anick has toured with John Jorgenson, teaches at Berklee College of Music, and continues to push the boundaries of jazz violin. His approach to teaching focuses on eliminating fluff and getting students to breakthrough moments faster.

    * Connect with Jason on Instagram: @jasonanick

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    Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6AhUzWzyCrTgffuNlTjLG3jEmj5h4pmZ

    Support the Podcast on Patreon! Patreon.com/afterthegig

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    42 mins
  • #143 Dave Brophy - "A Drum Set and a Dream"
    Feb 4 2026

    On this episode of After the Gig, Jesse sits down with Dave Brophy, one of Boston’s most respected drummers and producers. Known for his skillful touch and dedication to serving the music, Dave shares insights from his notable career, including his early drumming days in Michigan, international tours, and his transition to full-time producing. Recorded at Q Division Studios, their conversation covers playing with dynamics, the nuances of music production, the art of effective studio communication, and building a sustainable career in music. Listeners gain a deep understanding of Brophy’s approach to creating a collaborative, stress-free environment in the studio and learn valuable lessons about the balance of preparation and creativity. The episode also explores Brophy’s experiences working with artists like Will Dailey and Rachel Price, breaking into the Boston music scene, and navigating the challenges of keeping the artistic integrity of demos while producing polished final records.

    Newsletter

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    00:00 Introduction to After the Gig

    00:06 Meet Dave Brophy: Boston’s Drumming Legend

    01:19 Dave’s Early Career and Influences

    07:55 Transition to Boston and Breaking into the Scene

    12:49 Producing Records and Studio Experiences

    16:47 Navigating Studio Dynamics and Challenges

    22:55 The Business Side of Music Production

    24:27 The Efficiency of Professional Studios

    25:09 The Importance of Preparation

    25:46 Balancing Creativity and Practicality

    27:50 Pre-Production and Production Insights

    30:53 Navigating Demo Love and Re-Recording

    33:02 Mixing Techniques and Challenges

    39:04 Career Reflections and Future Goals

    45:02 Current and Upcoming Projects

    47:12 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts



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    47 mins
  • #142 - Traditional Vs. Contemporary Country (Grammy Edition)
    Jan 28 2026

    In this episode of After the Gig, Jesse delves into the upcoming Grammy Awards, focusing on the controversy surrounding the country music category. He discusses the impact of Beyonce’s win for Best Country Album last year, the evolution of country music, and the changes the Grammys are making this year by introducing separate categories for Traditional and Contemporary Country Albums. Jesse examines the nominees, the judging process, and the implications of these changes for the future of country music.

    Newsletter: https://afterthegig.substack.com

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    * All links right here!!

    https://linktr.ee/jessehumphrey

    EMAIL US!

    afterthegigpod@gmail.com

    Instagram

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    00:00 Introduction and Today’s Topic

    00:08 The Grammy Controversy: Country Category

    02:30 Evolution of Country Music

    07:02 Splitting the Country Category

    08:36 Nominees and Predictions

    12:45 Final Thoughts and Viewer Engagement



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    16 mins
  • #141 After the Gig - "Do You Know Your First Amendment!?!?" Feat. Jon Markel
    Nov 19 2025

    Jon Markel stops by the studio and we end up talking about everything—First Amendment audit videos (and why Jon’s obsessed with them), sovereign citizens, getting frisked by cops as teenagers, and why I will never forgive my neighbor for the BB gun incident. We also get into stage accidents, Jon’s ongoing feud with his neighbor over backyard fires and asthma complaints, and what happened when Lola passed out on stage mid-performance. Plus: why touring musicians still make 1980s money, Shawn Mendes canceling his tour, and Jon’s dream of becoming the Pedro Pascal of bass players.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:09 First Impressions of the Studio00:31 First Amendment Videos Discussion08:15 Sovereign Citizens and Police Interactions11:59 Personal Stories and Police Encounters19:35 Neighbor Feuds and Petty Conflicts34:32 Addressing Personal Issues34:58 Concert Incident: Lola’s Collapse36:08 Analyzing Lola’s Fall41:28 Stage Mishaps and Embarrassments45:54 Public Bathroom Etiquette48:20 Shawn Mendes: Fanboy Moments and Critiques52:48 Touring Challenges and Music Industry Insights01:02:55 Gaelic Storm and the Life of a Bass Player01:08:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    If you’d like to take a deeper dive, check out After the Gig on Patreon for bonus content. We’ll be going live for a November recap next Wednesday (11/26)! Don’t miss it!

    Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week!

    Best,

    Jesse



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    1 hr and 9 mins