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
142 episodes
Before the Show Starts with Couch (Chris DiCorpo & BT Odoy)
What actually happens before the doors open?In this episode, we go on the road with Couch for a full behind-the-scenes look at show day, following the crew from load-in all the way to doors. This is a real-time countdown to the moment f...
Hunter Hayes — From Idea to Stage
Hunter Hayes doesn’t just show up and play the show, he is deeply involved in building the entire experience.In this episode, I sit down with Hunter Hayes to talk through his current tour, the creative process behind it, and everything ...
Burna Boy - What Fans Never See (Temiday Qladehin)
Burna Boy’s live show is built on energy, rhythm, and a sound that has to translate across cultures, countries, and massive crowds. In this episode, I sit down with Temiday Qladehin, the Front of House engineer for Burna Boy, to talk about what...
Riley Green Backline Tech (Kaden Creamer)
Kaden Creamer isn’t just setting the stage — he’s making sure the entire show runs like a well-oiled machine. As backline tech for Riley Green, Kaden is responsible for every piece of gear behind the performance, from guitars and amps to drum k...
How Maren Morris Sounds This Good Live (Jacob Cady)
Maren Morris’ live show is built on powerful vocals, tight musicianship, and a sound that has to translate seamlessly across every venue. In this episode, I sit down with Jacob Cady, the Front of House engineer for Maren Morris, to talk about w...
The Business of Starting a Band Nobody Warns You About (Tyler Burgess)
Tyler Burgess has played the biggest stages, toured at multiple levels, and seen firsthand what it takes to make a band work. But with American Monster, he’s no longer just the hired gun he’s building something that is fully his.In this...
The Sound of Post Malone (Kevin “KB” Brown)
Behind the scenes with Kevin “KB” Brown, the front-of-house engineer for Post Malone. In this candid conversation, KB shares what it takes to craft the perfect live sound for one of the world’s biggest artists. From sold-out arenas to the bigge...
What Andrea Bocelli Hears on Stage (Stefano Serpagli)
When you’re supporting one of the most recognizable and powerful voices in the world, there is no margin for error.In this episode, I sit down with Stefano Serpagli, the Monitor Engineer for Andrea Bocelli, to talk about what it takes t...
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.<...
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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 ...