This Is DeLaCruz

Send us a textIn 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 defined a generation.We discuss his approach to monitor mixing for a band like Dashboard Confessional, where the intimacy of acoustic-driven songs meets the power of full-band anthems. Santiago shares his workflow, the tools and techniques he relies on, and how he manages quick changes and high-pressure moments when everything depends on the artist’s comfort on stage. He also opens up about his journey into live sound and the realities of life on tour.Whether you’re an aspiring monitor engineer, a touring pro, or a Dashboard Confessional fan who wants to understand how the magic happens on stage, this conversation offers rare behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most important (and stressful) jobs in live music.Download the app: http://apps.apple.com/us/app/this-is-delacruz/id6746411351Website: htts://www.thisisdelacruz.com 🤳 Social Media & HangoutsInstagram: http://instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Rumble: http://rumble.com/user/ThisIsDeLaCruzFacebook: http://facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉Twitter: http://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks: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!🔗 Band and CrewSanti's Instagram http://www.instagram.com/santi.delvalle1022 🌍Dashboard Confessional Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dashboardconfessional 📚Support the show

Send us a textEver 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 the world of live touring audio. This is the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at what makes Shinedown’s sound one of the best in rock today.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: Apple- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/this-is-delacruz/id6746411351Goggle Play- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=branded.md827dad89e764e9bb7c2ec182c428055.delacruzWebsite: htts://www.thisisdelacruz.com 🤳 Social Media & HangoutsInstagram: http://instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Rumble: http://rumble.com/user/ThisIsDeLaCruzFacebook: http://facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉Twitter: http://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks: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!🔗 Band and CrewAndy’s Instagram http://www.instagram.com/foh1212? 🌍Shinedown’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shinedown  📚🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: http://epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected] 🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔Support the show

Send us a textRunning 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 is Ice Nine Kills. From keeping guitars perfectly tuned and show-ready to managing the chaos of theatrical props, costume changes, and stage cues, Matt plays a critical role in making sure the band’s high-intensity performances go off without a hitch.We talk about what it’s like balancing two demanding jobs on the same tour, the gear and systems he relies on, and how he handles quick turnarounds and problem-solving in real time. Matt also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the road, including the challenges (and fun) of working in one of the most theatrical and fast-paced productions in modern metal.Whether you’re a tech, a tour manager in the making, or a fan of Ice Nine Kills who wants to see how the horror comes to life, this episode gives you an all-access pass to one of the busiest jobs in the crew.Download the app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/this-is-delacruz/id6746411351Website: www.thisisdelacruz.com 🤳 Social Media & HangoutsInstagram: https://instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/ThisIsDeLaCruzFacebook: https://facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉Twitter: https://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks:YouTube Membership: https://youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz 🌟Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!🔗 Band and CrewMatt’s https://www.instagram.com/insta.kirb 🌍Ice Nine Kills Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iceninekills📚🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: https://epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected] 🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔Support the show

Send us a textIn 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 audiences around the world.We dive deep into his approach to crafting a mix that balances nostalgia and modern punch, how he manages dynamics for such a musically diverse catalog, and what it’s like working with a band whose songs have soundtracked generations. Greg also shares stories from the road, insight into his gear and workflow, and his philosophy on keeping a mix honest to the artist.Whether you’re a live sound engineer, a Goo Goo Dolls fan, or simply someone who loves learning how the pros make great music sound even better, this episode gives you a front-row pass to one of the most respected engineers in the business.Download the app: https://www.mobileapp.app/to/ojHZoaO?ref=clWebsite: www.thisisdelacruz.com 🤳 Social Media & HangoutsTwitter: https://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks:YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz 🌟Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!🔗 Band and CrewGreg Instagram: hhttps://www.instagram.com/gregmnelson69  🌍🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected]  🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔Support the show

Send us a textI 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 mixing monitors for a band with intense stage production, fast-paced transitions, and dramatic vocal shifts. Hamish shares his workflow, the gear he trusts, and how he adapts night after night to keep the in-ear mixes clean, powerful, and locked in. He also talks about the critical trust between artist and monitor engineer — and what happens when things go wrong.Whether you’re an audio engineer, a fan of Ice Nine Kills, or curious about what it takes to manage sound on stage when every moment counts, this episode is packed with insight from behind the curtain.Extended Versions 👇YouTube Membership: https://youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join  Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!Download the app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/this-is-delacruz/id6746411351Website: www.thisisdelacruz.com 🤳 Social Media & HangoutsInstagram: https://instagram.com/thisisdelacruz 📸Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/ThisIsDeLaCruzFacebook: https://facebook.com/Nicholas.DeLaCruz👍TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@this.is.delacruz 🎉Twitter: https://x.com/thisisdelacruz 🐦🤘🏽 Support My JourneyJoin this channel to get access to perks:YouTube Membership: https://youtube.com/channel/UC87o5nnsjldToX-uP8TlYeA/join Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThisIsDeLaCruz 🌟Join our little family for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes fun, and cool perks!🔗 Band and CrewHamish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamishdickinson 🌍Ice Nine Kills Instagram: https://instagram.com/iceninekills📚🙏 Shout Outs & CreditsA huge thanks to everyone who helped make this video possible! Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com  🎶📩 Let’s ConnectGot questions or just want to chat? Email me at: [email protected] 🔥 Don’t Forget!Like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! 👍🔔Support the show