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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.
115 Episodes
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Send us a text 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 managing unpredictable venues and tight timelines, Chris walks us through the challenges and triumphs of mixing a modern pop show. We get into his approach to live sound design, how he translates Lights’ studio sound to the stage, and the gea...
Send us a text 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 movie experience, using light, shadow, and timing to elevate every scream, breakdown, and theatrical twist. We talk about how she designs and cues a show that feels more like a haunted attraction than a traditional concert, how she syncs he...
Send us a text 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 him to joining Falling In Reverse, and what the experience has been like so far. From chasing the dream to stepping onto some of the biggest stages in the world, Christian reflects on the highs, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.&nbs...
Send us a text 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 life, from crafting Creed’s powerful live mix night after night to the pressure, precision, and passion that go into every show. The two dive deep into Kyle’s journey through the world of live sound, what it takes to translate iconic songs into a massive arena ...
Send us a text 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 immersive — night after night. We dive into what it takes to mix a band known for its theatrical performances, quick transitions, and genre-blending sound. Kane shares how he approaches dynamics, automation, and special FX, all while keepin...
Send us a text Lighting the Fire: Joseph Morris – Lighting Director for Disturbed In 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. From fire-red strobes to eerie mood shifts that match every scream and breakdown, Joseph is the visual architect behind one of the most intense live shows in modern rock. We explore how he programs and executes a lighting show that matches D...
Send us a text Step backstage with Christian Thompson, guitarist for Falling In Reverse, as he takes us through his full soundcheck process. From dialing in tone to running guitars through the rig, Christian shows exactly what it takes to get the band ready for the stage. This isn’t just another jam session, it’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the gear, workflow, and attention to detail that powers one of rock’s most explosive live shows. 👉 Whether you’re a guitarist, a fan of Falling In ...
Send us a text Few live shows are as massive, cinematic, and sonically demanding as The Weeknd’s. At the center of it all is Derek Brener, the Front of House Engineer trusted with bringing Abel’s voice and sound to life for sold-out stadiums around the world. In this interview, Derek shares what it’s like to mix one of the most recognizable voices in modern music, the challenges of translating The Weeknd’s studio perfection to a live setting, and the techniques he uses to keep the show consi...
Send us a text In this interview, I sit down with Erin Roblin, Tour Manager for Lights, to talk about what life on the road really looks like behind the scenes. From handling daily logistics to supporting the artist and crew, Erin shares a grounded perspective on the challenges and responsibilities that come with the role. We talk about how she got started in tour management, what it’s like coordinating with venues and teams, and how she stays organized and adaptable while on the road. Erin ...
Send us a text I sit down with Jeremy Jayson, the Guitar Tech for Disturbed, and the man responsible for keeping the band’s crushing tone tight and dialed in night after night. From string changes and pedalboard setups to mid-show fixes and backstage prep, Jeremy plays a vital role in making sure every riff hits with power and precision. We talk about what it takes to tech for one of the biggest rock bands in the world — including gear choices, how he preps for each show, and what goes into ...
Send us a text Go behind the scenes with Christian Thompson, lead guitarist and vocalist for Falling In Reverse, as he takes us through his guitar collection and touring rig. In this exclusive This Is DeLaCruz episode, Christian breaks down the guitars he relies on, shares stories behind his favorite instruments, and talks about how his gear shapes the signature Falling In Reverse sound. From guitar tones and tunings to what makes his setup work on stage every night, this is a must-watch for...
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Tracy Robar, the man behind the thunder, serving as bass tech for Linkin Park. Tracy walks us through what it takes to keep the low end locked in for a band known for its massive, genre-defining sound. From maintaining gear under pressure to syncing up with the rhythm section every night, Tracy’s role is critical to the band's powerful live presence. We talk about his day-to-day routines on tour, the evolution of Linkin Park’s bass rigs, and wh...
Send us a text Sphere Part 2 In this unforgettable special edition episode, we take you inside the revolutionary Sphere in Las Vegas for a rare, all-access look at what it takes to mix a stadium-sized show in one of the world’s most advanced live venues. At the helm is Robert Scovill, iconic Front of House engineer for Kenny Chesney, who walks us through the technology, strategy, and pressure behind delivering a flawless mix in an immersive 360° environment. We don’t just talk sound, we wal...
Send us a text Part 1 In this unforgettable special edition episode, we take you inside the revolutionary Sphere in Las Vegas for a rare, all-access look at what it takes to mix a stadium-sized show in one of the world’s most advanced live venues. At the helm is Robert Scovill, iconic Front of House engineer for Kenny Chesney, who walks us through the technology, strategy, and pressure behind delivering a flawless mix in an immersive 360° environment. We don’t just talk sound, we walk the s...
Send us a text Dialing in Disturbed: Scott Jarecki, System Engineer for One of Rock’s Biggest Tours In this episode, I sit down with Scott Jarecki, the System Engineer for Disturbed, who plays a critical role in making sure every note, scream, and explosion of energy hits with precision — no matter the venue. From massive arenas to outdoor festivals, Scott is the one responsible for designing, deploying, and tuning the PA system that powers the band’s legendary live shows. We dive into the t...
Send us a text In the Ears of the Artist: Andrew “Slipper” Brown – Monitor Engineer for Lights In this episode, I sit down with Andrew “Slipper” Brown, the monitor engineer responsible for keeping Lights locked in and performing at her best night after night. From crafting the perfect in-ear mix to managing on-stage communication and last-minute curveballs, Slipper gives us an inside look at the world of monitor engineering where precision, speed, and trust are everything. We dive into how ...
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Ben Young, the guitar tech behind the iconic tones of Linkin Park. From the chaos of world tours to the quiet precision of string changes and pedalboard builds, Ben gives us an inside look at what it takes to keep the guitars stage-ready for one of the most sonically complex bands in modern rock. Ben shares stories from the road, how he preps for high-pressure shows, and the evolution of Linkin Park’s guitar rigs over the years. We talk tone, t...
Send us a text A year after our first conversation, I sit down once again with Brad Divens, the legendary Front of House engineer for Disturbed, to see how things have evolved. From new gear choices and stage configurations to the lessons learned over another intense year of global touring, Brad brings fresh insights and hard-earned wisdom to the table. We talk about what’s changed in his mix since last year, how he handles the pressure of mixing one of rock’s heaviest hitters, and why stayi...
Send us a text I sit down with Allen Dukes, the guitar tech making sure every note hits just right on tour with country star Riley Green. From dialing in tones to keeping gear show-ready night after night, Allen gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to support a fast-rising artist in the world of modern country music. We talk about life on the road, the challenges of quick turnarounds and live tuning, and the details that go into creating a flawless performance. Allen also share...
Send us a text In this episode of This Is DeLaCruz, we sit down with Dave Nester, the powerhouse drum tech behind the explosive live shows of Disturbed. From setting up Mike Wengren’s massive kit to maintaining sonic consistency night after night, Dave takes us deep into the world of touring drum techs and what it takes to keep one of rock’s most iconic drummers sounding flawless on stage. Dave shares his journey into the industry, the lessons learned from the road, and the often-overlooked ...
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