Jon Coghill & Tim Reid
Imagine being 32 and already treating your ears like gold – because your whole career depends on them. Meet Chris, sound engineer and tour manager for Electric Fields, who started mixing church bands as a teen and now flies interstate for gigs, all while keeping the “wank factor” at zero. His chat about the sound engineer job is funny, real, and full of lessons on growth, faith, family, and why he’ll never say yes to every gig. Hit play – you’ll love this guy.
Ready for some stranger stories? Personal stories of love, resilience & daring unfold in this loveable podcast, as story-collectors Tim Reid & Jon Coghill wander the streets of Australia, microphone in hand, chatting to strangers.
It’s conversations… with everyday people.
Episode Summary
Meeting Chris in Glenelg
Jon bumps into Chris on a sunny Glenelg break. Chris and his wife rent here, but they live in Adelaide. He’s just flown in from a Fed Square gig with Electric Fields for NAIDOC Week. His wife (a nurse) does night shifts when he’s away – perfect overtime timing.
From Church Volunteer to Full-Time Sound Engineer Job
Chris started on drums in church as a kid. The sound was frustrating, so at 18 he studied audio to “be part of the solution”. Never had another career. Now he’s sound engineer and tour manager for Electric Fields and works for a local AV company. Loves every minute.
What Makes a Great Sound Engineer Job
You know it’s good when the crowd reacts and the artist is happy. Chris asks: “What do you want it to feel like?” Then he builds that vibe. He’s picky about gigs – only says yes to ones that grow his skills or open doors (like catching up with Chase Rice’s US engineer in Nashville).
Protecting Ears Like Gold
He wears custom earplugs everywhere – even breakfast if it’s noisy. Regular hearing checks, top-tier in-ears. “I’ve noticed a tiny difference between ears already.” Stories of famous mixers going deaf in one ear scare him straight. Ears are his livelihood.
Balancing the Sound Engineer Job with Real Life
His wife and faith keep him grounded. They’re intentional about growth – relationship, finances, faith. No kids yet, but they’re ready when the time’s right. Chris refuses ego and “wank factor”. He’d rather keep learning than act like he knows it all.
The Dream Move to Nashville
Green card almost done. Side missions on every US family trip to meet legends and build contacts. One day he’ll take the sound engineer job global – but always with the same no-BS attitude he has today.
Chapters
00:00 – Intro and meeting Chris in Glenelg
00:51 – Sound engineer & tour manager for Electric Fields
02:21 – How he knows he’s doing the sound engineer job right
03:20 – Church kid to full-time audio – never another career
04:09 – Protecting ears like gold – custom plugs everywhere
06:46 – Ego, wank factor, and only saying yes to growth gigs
08:42 – Balancing sound engineer job with marriage & faith
09:58 – Nashville dream and the green card countdown – farewell
00:51 – Sound engineer & tour manager for Electric Fields
02:21 – How he knows he’s doing the sound engineer job right
03:20 – Church kid to full-time audio – never another career
04:09 – Protecting ears like gold – custom plugs everywhere
06:46 – Ego, wank factor, and only saying yes to growth gigs
08:42 – Balancing sound engineer job with marriage & faith
09:58 – Nashville dream and the green card countdown – farewell
Key Moments
- Started mixing church at 18 to “be part of the solution”
- Treats ears like gold – custom plugs even at breakfast
- Picks gigs that grow skills or open US doors
- Wife does night shifts when he tours – perfect overtime sync
- Zero wank factor – rather learn than pretend he’s the best
- Green card almost done – Nashville move loading
- Growth in faith, finances, relationship – intentional couple goals
Listen to the Full Conversation
The sound engineer job – passion, ear protection, zero ego. Chris is gold.Listen now on your favourite platform
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🤩 Who’s behind all this strangeness?
Made & Hosted by Tim Reid & Jon Coghill
Music Supervision by Dennis Feletto
Photography by Will Reid & Andy McColl
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