Q & A with Chad Olech
Chad Olech has been touring professionally as a front of house audio engineer for twenty years now. Based in New Hampshire, he spent his first five years in the production industry working in clubs before making the transition to touring
He often doubles up as a production manager and has also spent a lot of time playing the role of tour manager, all while maintaining his role at front of house.
He’s currently working as FOH/PM for Shinedown, covering the same duties for Fall Out Boy as well (his client for the last six years) when he can make it work.
You can find Chad on Instagram @soundman00
Favorite concert or live show you’ve attended as a fan (not for work)?
This is such a tough question… I will have to answer it in a couple parts. By far the best show I have ever been to sonically was Rodger Waters (Wall tour) at Fenway park. To me that was as close to sonic perfection as I have ever heard live.
My favorite show over all though would be a toss up between Twisted Sister on the Stay Hungry tour in 1984 (my first concert ever), Rush on the R20 tour, or Kings X at The Channel in Boston.
Is there anything you try to do every off day?
SLEEP, SLEEP and more SLEEP lol…. I also try to get out and play some golf (weather and time permitting), and a couple times per tour I will seek out an amazing restaurant and treat myself to a great meal.
What are the one to three work-related tool(s) you can’t do without? (Computer, gear, tool, phone app, etc.)?
Hmmm if there were only three items I HAD to have… I would say my Mac Book Pro, My USB stick with show files/ licenses, and a sense of humor (without that I am sure I would be in jail already).
Are there any standard industry practices that you’d like to change?
Over all there are things that need to be tightened up in this industry, and some “old school” ways of thinking that need to go the way of the dinosaurs. But it’s all changing for the better. It’s no longer the wild west out here and people have finally come to the realization that we are running multi-million dollar (sometimes billion dollar) corporations. It’s not that we can’t and don’t have fun anymore, because I think we do. It’s just done with better regards for safety and people’s health and well-being.
Since you began working in this industry are there any concepts or practices you’ve implemented that have had a positive impact on your work (reduced stress, saved time, etc.)?
I have stolen/borrowed lots of ideas/methods over the years from others. Everything from the way I’ve done day sheets, to full advances, to working more ergonomically at FOH. I am a big proponent of seeing how others do things, taking the bits and pieces from how they do it and integrating what works for you into your everyday work life.
Where do you see the industry going in the next 5-8 years?
I think it will continue to grow, for a lot of artists touring is now their primary source of income. I also see things getting safer for everyone. Event Safety Alliance and some other groups like Keep the Beat Alive are doing great work on the work side of things, and the personal wellness side. Hell who knows, maybe agents will even start to listen to us grunts out here when we tell them what they are asking for is too much (but I doubt it).
What ruins your day at a show?
When I have on my production manager hat it’s hands down a promoter rep who doesn’t do his job and follow up with the items discussed in the advance. As a FOH engineer, its broken gear.
What improves your day at a show?
Great catering and a good local crew
How do you stay connected to home while away (or do you)?
I think it’s very hard to stay connected to home when your away, it takes a lot of work. It’s such an alien world out here and unless you’ve lived it, it’s very hard to get people to understand. Having said that I have an amazing wife who 100% gets what I do for work (or seems to anyway), and she holds down the fort at home with my daughter while I am gone. We talk/text every day and I am still the go to for helping my daughter with her homework. They both know that regardless of how busy I am, I am never too busy for a call or text. I think if it’s important to you, you can always make/find the time to stay connected, but it can be hard.
What's the most important thing in your suitcase?
Hmm this is a hard one for me, I travel SUPER light… I bring my office bag (computer and drives etc…) and then I have a backpack which only has 7 pair of socks, 7 underwear, 3 shorts, 7 shirts… I guess maybe my iPad? That way I can read or watch movies on the non-show days?