Chris Rabold
Athens, GA
Sound Mixer
Question:
There is a pace in live sound production that goes beyond what the itinerary and tour book lays out. From my observations, the day to day grind on tour is a long-distance, 24/7 marathon sprint. Given the high-profile tours that you do and the demand for your mixing skills, do you ever feel the need to stop and catch your breath?
Answer:
The short answer? An emphatic “yes.” I think, as is often said by people, you don’t know what you don’t know. And had I known then what I know now I would have come up with a more measured pace of touring. I would have taken a healthier approach in general – specifically as it relates to getting rest. It had been my stance that I’m going to work harder than the hardest. I’m going to put in more hours than anyone else. Not in a competitive sense, it’s just the only way I know. Now I realize that that approach isn’t sustainable – there needs to be a semblance of balance and order in my life and that’s what I strive for.
