This Is DeLaCruz

Send us Fan Mail Running the Show: Matt Kirby – Guitar Tech & Stage Manager for Ice Nine Kills In 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 is Ice Nine Kills. From keeping guitars perfectly tuned and show-ready to managing the chaos of theatrical props, costume changes, and stage c...

Send us Fan Mail 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 “Iris” and “Name” to the massive live energy of “Slide” and “Broadway”, Greg is responsible for bringing those timeless sounds to life for au...

Send us Fan Mail 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 the band hears exactly what they need — when they need it — in the chaos of a horror-core performance. We dive into the unique pressure of...

Send us Fan Mail 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 perks! Download the app: http://apps.apple.com/us/app/this-is-delacruz/id6746411351 In this episode, I sit down with Frank Sgambellone, the Front of House Engine...

Send us Fan Mail Holding Down the Low End: Barrett Stevens – Bass Tech for Disturbed In 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 night. From maintaining bass guitars and amp rigs to handling quick changes and troubleshooting mid-show, Barrett is a key part of the team that...

Send us Fan Mail 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, without the engineer even being in the room? In this exclusive conversation, Joey Diehl, Benson Boone’s Front-of-House Engineer, pulls back the curtain on his uniqu...

Send us Fan Mail 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 h...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 t...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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-bl...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 p...

Send us Fan Mail 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 T...

Send us Fan Mail 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 coor...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 gu...

Send us Fan Mail 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 pr...

Send us Fan Mail 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 be...

Send us Fan Mail 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 de...

Send us Fan Mail 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, d...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 h...

Send us Fan Mail 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 si...

Send us Fan Mail 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 turnaroun...