This Is DeLaCruz
Hosted by Nick DeLaCruz, This Is DeLaCruz takes you behind the scenes of live music with both the bands on stage and the unsung heroes who keep the show alive. Each episode features real conversations with artists, engineers, techs, and crew, pulling back the curtain on life on the road. From the chaos of soundcheck to the rush of showtime, they share the triumphs, struggles, and untold stories that make touring unforgettable. Whether you’re a fan, a musician, or just curious about what happens beyond the spotlight, this podcast is your all-access pass to the world of live music.
Episodes
134 episodes
How Benson Boone Stays Locked In Live (Carter Luckett)
Benson Boone’s performances live and die on emotion, dynamics, and a vocal that has to land perfectly every night. And a huge part of making that possible is what happens on stage, specifically, what the artist and band hear in the moment.<...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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20:17
Mixing a Rising Star — Elliot James Reay (Loreen Bohannon)
When you’re mixing a rising artist, every show matters. Every vocal moment. Every dynamic shift. Every crowd reaction.In this episode, I sit down with Loreen Bohannon, the live sound engineer running FOH for Elliot James Reay to ta...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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20:05
His First Tour Ever — Running Sound for Boyce Avenue (Harry Collins)
Every tour has a first step — and for some engineers, that first run on the road changes everything.In this episode, I sit down with Harry Collins, who is running sound for
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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24:46
Inside Lorde’s World — Through the Ears of Her Monitor Engineer (Kevin Glendenning)
Lorde’s live show is built on space, dynamics, and emotion, and what she hears on stage plays a huge role in how that performance unfolds. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Glendenning, the monitor engineer for Lorde, to talk about the art...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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38:58
Mixing a Legend: Running Sound for Andrea Bocelli (Davide Lombardi)
Andrea Bocelli’s voice is one of the most recognizable and emotionally powerful instruments in the world, and capturing it live requires an extraordinary level of care, precision, and trust. In this interview, I sit down with Davide Lombardi, t...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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56:12
Inside The Band Camino’s Live Sound: The Man Behind the Mix (Nick Dewer)
In this episode, I sit down with Nick Dewer, the Front of House Engineer for The Band Camino, to talk about what it takes to mix one of the most exciting modern pop-rock bands on the road today. Known for their lush vocals, massive choruses, an...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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37:14
Drum Tech for Killswitch Engage (Matt Colwell)
In this episode, I sit down with Matt Colwell, the Drum Tech for Killswitch Engage, and the person responsible for making sure the heartbeat of the band’s sound never skips a beat. From drum tuning and hardware setup to quick changeovers and mi...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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12:14
Running Sound for Dashboard Confessional (Zach Eubanks)
In this episode, I sit down with Zach Eubanks, the Front of House Engineer for Dashboard Confessional, to talk about what it takes to mix one of the most emotionally charged and iconic bands of the 2000s emo/alt-rock movement. Known for their i...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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25:35
What It Takes to Mix Killswitch Engage Every Night (Alex Markides)
Extended Version👇YouTube Membership: http://youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: http://patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool pe...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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43:50
Painting Emotion with Light — Dashboard Confessional’s Lighting Designer (Afton Gerring)
Today we talk with Afton Gerring, the Lighting Designer for Dashboard Confessional, to explore how she brings atmosphere, mood, and emotion to life through lighting design. From intimate acoustic moments to soaring full-band anthems, Afton uses...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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12:15
How Killswitch Engage’s Guitars Survive Tour Life (Josh Mihlek)
In this episode, I sit down with Josh Mihlek, the Guitar Tech for Killswitch Engage, and the man responsible for keeping the band’s crushing riffs and iconic tones ready to go every night. From string changes and pedalboard setups to troublesho...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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15:05
What Dashboard Confessional Actually Hears on Stage (Santiago Del Valle Garces)
In this episode, I talk with Santiago Del Valle Garces, the Monitor Engineer for Dashboard Confessional, to talk about the crucial role of crafting the perfect on-stage mix. As the person responsible for what the band hears in their in-ears and...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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20:59
The Secrets Behind Shinedown’s Massive Live Sound (Andy Meyer)
Ever wonder how Shinedown’s live shows sound so massive, clear, and powerful? Their Front of House Engineer breaks it all down — from mixing techniques and stage setup to what really happens before doors open. We talk about the gear, the workfl...
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Season 2
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Episode 58
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1:12:29
Ice Nine Kills Guitar Tech (Matt Kirby)
Running the Show: Matt Kirby – Guitar Tech & Stage Manager for Ice Nine KillsIn this episode, I sit down with Matt Kirby, the multi-tasking powerhouse who serves as both Guitar Tech and Stage Manager for the horror-metal spectacle that ...
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Season 2
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Episode 57
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11:31
Behind the Sound of Goo Goo Dolls (Greg Nelson)
In this episode, I sit down with Greg Nelson, the Front of House Engineer for Goo Goo Dolls, to talk about what it takes to mix one of the most iconic and enduring rock bands of the last three decades. From the emotional weight of songs like “I...
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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18:58
The Secrets Behind Ice Nine Kills’ Onstage Sound (Hamish Dickinson)
I sit down with Hamish Dickinson, the monitor engineer behind the brutal precision and high-octane energy of Ice Nine Kills’ theatrical live shows. From blood-soaked screams to cinematic breakdowns, Hamish is the one making sure every member of...
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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22:04
What Fans Never Hear: Luke Bryan’s Engineer Tells All (Frank Sgambellone)
Extended Versions 👇YouTube Membership: http://youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: http://patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool ...
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Season 2
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Episode 54
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1:36:26
Holding Down the Low End with Disturbed (Barrett Stevens)
Holding Down the Low End: Barrett Stevens – Bass Tech for DisturbedIn this episode, I sit down with Barrett Stevens, the Bass Tech for Disturbed, and the man making sure the low end hits with power, clarity, and consistency every single nig...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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23:46
How Benson Boone’s Engineer Mixes From a Room You Never See (Joey Diehl)
Extended Versions 👇YouTube Membership: http://youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: http://patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz Ever wonder what it takes to make Benson Boone sound flawless every night, wit...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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52:45
Inside Lights’ Live Sound: The Man Behind the Mix (Chris Kaplinski)
I sit down with Chris Kaplinski, the Front of House Engineer for Lights, to talk about what it takes to deliver a flawless live mix every night for one of pop’s most dynamic and sonically rich artists. From dialing in vocals and synths to manag...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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35:54
Ice Nine Kills Lighting Designer
In this episode, I sit down with Zoe Spratling, the creative force behind the chilling visuals and immersive atmosphere of Ice Nine Kills’ live shows. As the band’s Lighting Designer, Zoe transforms each performance into a full-blown horror mov...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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26:04
Falling In Reverse: Stories from the Tour Bus (Christian Thompson)
Christian Thompson, lead guitarist for Falling In Reverse, opens up about his life, career, and journey with the band in this exclusive interview on This Is DeLaCruz. He shares how he first got started in music, the path that led h...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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41:55
Cruz on Crews Episode 5: Kyle Gerhart
In this episode of Cruz on Cruz, Nick DeLaCruz sits down with Kyle Gerhart, the front-of-house engineer for the legendary rock band Creed. Kyle shares what it’s like bringing one of the biggest live rock reunions back to ...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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53:10
Mixing Mayhem: Ice Nine Kills
In this episode, I sit down with Kane Phillips, the sonic mastermind behind the intense, cinematic live shows of Ice Nine Kills. As their Front of House Engineer, Kane is responsible for making horror-themed chaos sound clean, powerful, and imm...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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31:58
Lighting the Fire: Lighting Director for Disturbed
Lighting the Fire: Joseph Morris – Lighting Director for DisturbedIn this episode, I sit down with Joseph Morris, the Lighting Director for Disturbed, who brings the band’s explosive energy to life through bold, cinematic lighting design. F...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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23:14