This Is DeLaCruz

Send us Fan Mail Running sound for an artist is about far more than pushing faders—it's about translating their music into an unforgettable live experience. In this episode, I sit down with Joe Traux, the Front of House engineer for Mariah The Scientist, to talk about what it takes to mix a live show that connects with audiences night after night. Joe shares his approach to balancing vocals,...

Send us Fan Mail The audience hears the front-of-house mix. The artist hears something completely different. In this episode, I sit down with Brent Washburn, the Monitor Engineer for Josh Ross, to talk about one of the most important jobs in live music: making sure the artist hears exactly what they need to perform at their best. We dive into the world of monitor mixing, the trust that develops be...

Send us Fan Mail Every great live show has someone behind the console making thousands of decisions in real time. In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Waller, the Front of House engineer for Josh Ross, to talk about what it takes to deliver a powerful and consistent mix night after night on tour. We dive into the challenges of balancing vocals, instruments, crowd energy, and venue acoustics whi...

Send us Fan Mail Bruno Mars’ live show is known for its precision, energy, and a sound that feels almost perfect every single night. Behind that experience is a level of detail and discipline most people never see. In this episode, I sit down with Sean Sully, the audio engineer for Bruno Mars, to talk about what it really takes to deliver a show at this level. We dive into how a mix like this is b...

Send us Fan Mail 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 fans walk in, and everything that has to happen before that clock hits zero. Along the way, I spend time with Chris DiCorpo, the band’s audio engin...

Send us Fan Mail 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 he helped shape behind the scenes. From the overall concept and production choices to the details that make the show feel personal, Hunter breaks...

Send us Fan Mail 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 it takes to bring that global sound to life every single night. We dive into how he approaches mixing a show that blends Afro-fusion, live...

Send us Fan Mail 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 kits and quick-change setups. In this episode, we dive into the day-to-day grind of life on tour, how Kaden preps for each show, and what it...

Send us Fan Mail 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 what it takes to deliver that experience night after night. We dive into how he approaches mixing a voice that carries both intimacy and pow...

Send us Fan Mail 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 episode of This Is DeLaCruz, Tyler opens up about the reality of starting a band from the ground up in today’s world. We get into the part most p...

Send us Fan Mail 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 biggest festival stages, he gives us an inside view of what goes into every mix and every show. KB opens up about his journey in the audio world...

Send us Fan Mail 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 to craft the perfect on-stage sound for a performance of this magnitude. Stefano shares insight into the precision and restraint required to suppor...

Send us Fan Mail 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. In this episode, I sit down with Carter Luckett, the monitor engineer for Benson Boone, to talk about the behind-the-scenes role that most fans...

Send us Fan Mail 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 talk about what it takes to build a powerful, consistent mix for an artist on the rise. We dive into how she approaches translating Elliot’s sound to a l...

Send us Fan Mail 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   Boyce Avenue on his very first tour. We talk about what it’s like stepping into a professional touring environment for the first time, the pressure of delivering a consistent mix night after night, and how p...

Send us Fan Mail 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 and responsibility of crafting the perfect on-stage mix. Kevin shares what it takes to support an artist whose music lives in nuance, bala...

Send us Fan Mail 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, the engineer responsible for running sound for Andrea Bocelli, to explore what it takes to support a performance at this level. Davide share...

Send us Fan Mail 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, and emotionally charged performances, The Band Camino relies on Nick to translate their studio-perfect sound into an unforgettable live exper...

Send us Fan Mail 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 mid-show problem solving, Matt is the steady hand behind the thunder that drives Killswitch’s live shows. We dig into what it takes to tech d...

Send us Fan Mail 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 intimate lyrics and soaring anthems, Dashboard Confessional relies on Zach to bring their deeply personal songs to life in every venue, from...

Send us Fan Mail 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 perks! Step behind the console with Alex Markides, the Front of House Engineer for Killswitch Engage, as we dive into what it takes to deliver the band’s massive,...

Send us Fan Mail 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 light as a storytelling tool, shaping the audience’s experience with every cue. We dive into her creative process, how she designs a show...

Send us Fan Mail 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 troubleshooting mid-show and keeping the gear battle-ready, Josh plays a vital role in making sure Killswitch delivers their massive live sound show...

Send us Fan Mail 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 wedges, Santiago ensures every performance feels locked-in and full of emotion, giving the band the confidence to deliver songs that have...

Send us Fan Mail 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 workflow, and the human side of keeping a high-pressure tour running smoothly. You’ll also hear a bit of my story and how our paths crossed in th...