The Gig Life Podcast

On Friday 10th July 2026, Andy Bickers passed away after a battle with cancer.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Andy for this conversation in 2025. Although we had only just met in person, it quickly felt like two old Kiwi bros catching up over a coffee.
We talked rugby, growing up in New Zealand, moving across the Tasman, and, of course, an extraordinary life in music.
Andy’s career took him from the New Zealand live music scene to stages around the world with Jimmy Barnes, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Don Henley, the Eagles and many others.
But listening back to this conversation, it isn’t only the incredible career that stands out.
It’s Andy’s humour, his warmth, his humility, his intelligence and the genuine gratitude he carried for the life music had given him.
At one point Andy described himself as “the luckiest saxophone player I know.”
The many tributes shared since his passing make it clear that the musicians around him felt just as lucky to know him.
I’m incredibly grateful that this conversation exists, and it is an honour to share it with you again
Thank you for the music, the stories and the laughs. Rest easy, my bro
Stevie.

My guest today is Andy Bickers.
Andy is a saxophone player, originally from New Zealand and now living in Australia.
From NZ bands Backdoor Blues Band, Smokeshop and Netherworld Dancing toys, to a long time association with Midnight Oil, a few Eagles gigs here and there, to just recently coming off the road with Cold Chisel on their 5-0 tour…Andy is a session saxophonist, jazz to the roots but a rock n roll attitude. This was an awesome hang. Hope you dig this conversation.
More info on Andy:

Ander Bickers on Instagram

This conversation was recorded 25/02/2025
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The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today is Dario Bortolin.
Dario has been on my original interview wish list since I started this podcast back in 2018, so this one has been a long time coming.
Currently playing with the Baby Animals, Dario has played with Jimmy Barnes, Billy Thorpe, Dragon, INXS, Rose Tattoo, The Angels, Kevin Borich, Barry Leef and many more.
Great player. Great stories. Wicked hang…enjoy.
This interview was recorded 10th March 2026.
For more on Dario:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
As mentioned, here is the link to Dario and the band "Spoon" with 3 Little Pigs
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Today’s episode is a bit of a full-circle moment for me, because my guest is Dave Varriale — the host of I’d Hit That Podcast… one of the reasons this show exists.
Back in the day, Dave and his guests on Id Hit That were my companions on every drive to and from gigs — and it was the DIY magic of it: the handheld Zoom recorder, the in-person, unprepared hangs, and yeah… the legendary 2005 Ford Escape mobile recording unit.
But here’s the twist: this time, we’re flipping the mic. Dave’s been the guy asking the questions for years… and now it’s my turn to throw them at Dave.
We get into his story: New York, Spain, LA, and now Austin, Texas — where he says he “was thinking about escaping Shawshank, LA,” and the music took him toward real Texas blues and the shuffle.
And of course, because it’s Dave… we also get into the stuff nobody says out loud — why “most guys… play it safe,” why the best stories come out when “the recorder stops recording,” and why he still believes audio-only is its own artform.
This conversation was recorded 16th January 2026. Stevie in Sydney - Dave in Austin, Texas.
More info on Dave and I'd Hit That podcast, check out I'd Hit That on YouTube and Instagram, and book a haircut and shave with Dave at Cedar Park Barber Shop
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My guest today is guitarist Adam Miller — one of Australia’s most quietly brilliant musicians.
We talk about seeing the guitar like a piano, opening for Tommy Emmanuel as a teenager, touring the US as a fully self-managed artist, capturing music live in the room and much much more.
Plus, we dive into his new album Timing and the Neumann Sessions, recorded at the Foo Fighters’ Studio 606.
This conversation was recorded 14th Decemember 2025.
More info and music, check out Adam's website, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube channel.
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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