Alexander Flood is Production Manager at El Cid in Silver Lake, and he told us all about it...
How long have you been running sound? How did you get into it?
I've been running sound for about 11 years. 7 years have been in formal venues around LA. I actually have always been in punk bands that used to do small backyard shows. I started doing sound as I played in bands. I had a small gigs setting up PA systems at backyard punk and ska shows. Overt time I wanted to get more professional so I went to LA Recording school and have joined venues over time getting more training.
How did you get hooked up with El Cid?
I was working for another venue and a coworker i became friends with recommended me to the former manager . We had a quick interview and yeah I've been at El Cid for about 4 years now off and on.
Any particular highlights? Which bands have been the best to work with?
My biggest highlight was definitely getting to work for Mac Miller. A friend from film school called and asked if I still have p.a for rent and if I was available for an album release. I said yes and he said just to keep cool when I met him. At the time I had never heard of Mac Miller so it was pretty easy. We did two shoe store locations where he did meet and greets and he was honestly a super chill guy.
Offered me food and drinks super down to earth. He loved it so much he filmed like a "Mock" music video ,its still on Youtube , for Diablo. You can see me like a flash or two in the corner with my speaker and laptop pretty funny but I like it. Aside from that but my favorite times have been helping manage stages and running sound for SKAFEST they do at Catch one. I got to help do sound for a huge Mexican ska band called Inspector. Huge full circle kind of thing from doing ska in backyards to small festivals in venues .
How would you describe the acoustics/layout at El Cid?
The acoustics at El Cid are definitely unique because of the type of building it is. The building is made from like actual stone and wood that has aged super well. It soaks up the high end really well and the subs can get pretty heavy. I think from the hard wood floors also help keep it bright and full but doesn't overpower you in a deafening way.
What gear do you use?
My set-up Is pretty straight forward. Currently we have a Midas m32 at F.O.H console. We have the matching Midas DL32 stage box at side stage. The P.A sytem is all L'Acoustics. I use Shure microphones both wireless and the regular SM58s mostly. I rely a lot on my iPad min to run my sound checks away from my booth. The app for the m32 is really user friendly and it my biggest tool I count on day to day.
For more information, visit elcidsunset.com.
