In this episode of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast, I’m joined by Australian wedding and event violinist Evangeline Victoria, who has built an international career performing at weddings and events across Europe and beyond.

We talk through how she took her business overseas, from launching during lockdown to navigating her first international enquiries, building a recognisable brand, and creating the right kind of content to attract destination couples.

Evie breaks down the reality of working abroad as a musician: managing travel, understanding different cultures and expectations, connecting with planners and local suppliers, and structuring pricing when working outside your home country.

Whether you’re dreaming of playing in sun-soaked locations or simply want to expand your reach beyond your local market, this episode offers a practical, honest look at how to get started in the destination-wedding world.

Connect with Evie

www.evangelinevictoriamusic.com.au

@evangelinevictoriamusic

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Ashleigh Stevens, better known as Fearlessly Taylor, one of the UK’s leading Taylor Swift tribute acts who has rocketed from a DIY promo to packed theatres, festival stages, and even Alexandra Palace.

Ashleigh shares her journey from graduating drama school during COVID, to discovering the tribute world by accident, to building a brand that now includes dancers, a band, and an entire roster of managed tribute artists.

She then opens up about the nightmare that hit this year: her Facebook business page being permanently disabled without warning, wiping out years of followers, enquiries, and paid ads. We break down what happened, why Meta’s system is so broken for performers, what she tried to fix it, and the changes she’s now making to protect her business going forward.

We also cover booking theatres, building a fan base, avoiding reputation pitfalls, growing multiple tribute shows at once, staying mentally grounded when the industry feels uncertain, and the surreal moment she stepped onto the stage at Ally Pally.

It’s equal parts inspiring, frustrating, eye-opening, and full of genuinely useful takeaways for tribute artists, musicians, and anyone running a small entertainment business.

Connect with Ashleigh

www.fearlesslytaylor.com

@fearlesslytaylortribute

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco

In this episode, I sit down with Lily Kerbey, a Yorkshire-based alternative wedding singer and guitarist who’s redefining what live wedding music can be. From performing Slipknot and S Club 7 mashups to running fully booked seasons years in advance, Lily shares how leaning into her niche transformed her career.

She opens up about her journey from teaching to becoming a full-time musician, how a simple Instagram ad filled her diary, and why authenticity and community matter more than ever. This conversation is packed with inspiration for any function musician looking to build a thriving business by being unapologetically themselves.

Key Takeaways:

• How to find (and own) your niche as a wedding performer

• Why branding and consistency matter more than fancy gear

• How low-cost Instagram ads can outperform expensive wedding fairs

• The power of community over competition in the wedding industry

• Balancing boundaries and burnout when success hits fast

Connect with Lily

@lilykerbeymusic

www.lilykerbeymusic.co.uk

tiktok.com/@lilykerbeymusic

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco

In this episode, I chat with international session singer and tribute artist Calli Malpas, the powerhouse performer behind Pink-ish – one of the UK’s standout Pink tribute shows. Calli shares her journey from pubs and club gigs to building a high-production tribute act with dancers, a live band, and even aerial performances.

We dive into:

• How Calli turned a long career as a full-time singer into a thriving tribute show

• The rapid rise of the tribute industry and why it's booming today

• The business strategy behind launching and scaling a tribute act

• Managing dancers, band members, and production elements while keeping authenticity at the heart of the show

• Taking the leap into theatre shows and festival lineups

• Why community and collaboration (not competition) drives the tribute world

If you're a performer looking to carve your own niche, build a premium live product, or explore the tribute scene, this is a must-listen packed with inspiration, laughs, and practical insight.

Connect with Calli

@pink_ish_tribute

www.callimalpas.rocks/pink-ish

www.woodville.co.uk/events/pink-tribute-p-nk-sh/

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco

In this episode, I'm joined once again by Ian Marx from The Fireflies Party Band for a deeper look at what it really means to run your band like a business.

Ian shares how he’s built a successful, full-time function band over 11 years, from managing bandmates and keeping communication clear, to creating systems that save time and secure more bookings. They talk about treating your band like a brand, building a professional image with promo and EPKs, and why consistency, organisation, and customer service are just as important as the music itself.

Key Takeaways:

• Create a simple calendar system to manage your band’s availability.

• Use a professional EPK to showcase your brand, reviews, and visuals.

• Reply to enquiries quickly — fast responses win bookings.

• Expansion isn’t always about more bands; it’s about improving your product.

• Learn to say no to low-value gigs so you can focus on better opportunities.

Whether you’re just starting out or already gigging regularly, this episode is packed with practical advice on turning your passion into a sustainable business.

Connect with Ian

@ianmarkx

www.ians-tracks.co.uk

www.sussexpartyband.co.uk

@thefirefliespartyband

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco

In this episode of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast, I chat with professional magician and Giggio founder Martyn Rowland, whose software has become the go-to booking management system for entertainers across the UK.

Martyn shares his journey from performing at corporate events to creating a tool that now processes millions of pounds of bookings every month. We discuss:

• The early days of Giggio and how it evolved from a personal spreadsheet fix to a full-scale platform

• Why every function musician should use a CRM before they “need” one

• How automation, follow-ups, and pitch reminders can win you more gigs

• The lessons Martyn learned building tech for creatives — and the overlap between magicians, musicians, and other live entertainers

Whether you’re juggling client admin or trying to scale your bookings, this episode is packed with practical insight on streamlining your business and freeing up time to focus on performing.

Connect with Martyn

@getgiggio

@martynrowland

www.getgiggio.com

www.martynrowland.co.uk

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco

In this episode of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast, I chat with Danny Bigland — guitarist, bandleader, and founder of the Musicians Community / DepsApp, a UK-wide network that connects musicians to paid work opportunities through WhatsApp.

What started as a simple solution for finding dep musicians for his own band has grown into a nationwide community of over 1,000 players, helping musicians collectively earn more than £250,000 in paid gigs all without ads, commissions, or outside funding.

Danny shares how he built everything organically through SEO, word-of-mouth, and genuine connection, turning a personal project into a purpose-driven movement. He opens up about balancing his creative ventures with a full-time job, hiring a team to support the community, and keeping the focus on helping others first — not profit.

We dive deep into:

• How DepsApp became one of the UK’s largest musician networks

• Using SEO and social proof to grow a business without spending on ads

• The importance of authenticity and slow, steady growth

• Why giving back to your peers builds trust, loyalty, and good karma

• How helping others can open unexpected doors for your own success

This episode is a reminder that good things happen when you focus on value over money, community over competition, and the belief that what you give will come back to you.

Whether you’re a working musician, a creative freelancer, or building your own project from scratch, this is a powerful conversation about purpose, generosity, and sustainable growth in the modern music world.

Connect with Danny

@db16lnd

@depsapp

www.depsapp.com

@peakspeakerhireltd

www.peakspeakerhire.co.uk

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco

In this episode of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast, I sit down with guitarist, educator, and author Dan Lundholm to unpack two decades of hard-earned wisdom from the world of professional gigging.

Dan shares his journey from gigging solo across Europe to touring with Paolo Nutini and Girls Aloud, before carving out a new path as an educator and author of 12 Rules for Band Life.

We discuss:

• How the function band scene has evolved — from amps and chaos to in-ears and agency duplication.

• Why most great musicians are forged on stage, not in college.

• How to run your band like a business, prepare for lineup changes, and build a system that lasts.

• The importance of positioning, turning your act into a show, and making the leap from pubs to theatres.

• The real secret to getting better: gig more, fail more, and fix it on stage.

Whether you’re a full-time performer, an aspiring function musician, or just fascinated by the realities of working life in music — this one’s packed with insight, humour, and brutally honest advice from someone who’s truly done it all.

Connect with Dan

@danlundholm

www.spytunes.com

12 Rules for Band Life

The Guitar Conspiracy

YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Acoustic Backs And Tracks, your go-to source for premium acoustic backing tracks that sound and feel like the real deal.

Whether you’re performing at weddings, recording content, or just practising at home, it’s like having a professional band right there with you. Their tracks are recorded by top session musicians, with real instruments and real emotion - no lifeless MIDI here!

Need something custom? They’ve got you covered. From key changes and mashups to exclusive tracks made just for you. Plus, their customer support is fast, friendly, and actually understands musicians. No task is too big for them!

And here’s the best part - listeners of The Full-Time Function Musician Podcast get 10% off on their first order. Just head to www.acousticbacksandtracks.com and use the code FUNCTION10 at checkout.

@acousticbacksandtracks

Boost Your Bookings: 7 Essential Marketing Strategies for Function Musicians

Get Your Free Guide Here -

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk/marketingguide

@thefulltimefunctionmusician

feedback@thefulltimefunctionmusician.co.uk

www.infocusrecordingcompany.co.uk

@infocusrecordingco