We recently connected with David Stecher and have shared our conversation below.
David, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Self-esteem is an up and down in life.
First there was the phase, where I did not know enough, so I studied what I am doing now. Then I entered phase 2, I got a strong self esteem, maybe even a little too much, but it helped me feeling secure in what I was doing.
After phase 2 I realised, that it is not healthy to be a too-much self confidend person and there were some jobs, that really challenged me and reached my limits and beyond. So I had to learn, that you never know everything – and that is really ok. I try to use these moments to learn something new.
Right now I would say that I am thankful that I can do what I do, I try to help with my knowledge and experience but also know that you never can know it all. It is also OK if a job is going just OK. As long as I gave all I had, there is nothing that I can blame myself for.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is David and I am an audio engineer, focused on the live-industry. I am one of those people that you don’t really see – but you hear our work, especially if something is going wrong. I am a one-man company, I work with bands, other companies or venues. Most of the time my job is about setting up a sound system, micing up instruments and singers and mixing them, live or in the studio.
Right now is the peak time of the year as it is summer and I guess some of you are going to some festivals too. Maybe see you there, I might be standing in this little tent centerd in the audience, called FOH (front of house).
And here is also the excitement of my work – I have a lot of responsibility to make a show work for 2.000 people or even more. My work can be stressful, challanging but also quite fun. But what I really like is to see a bunch of smiles when people attend a concert and I was part of giving them that happy face and feelings. This is what I really like about my job.
The next shows/festivals I am working are:
July: Woodrock Festival – Bludenz, Austria (as a FOH engineer)
July: Gurten Festival – Bern, Switzerland (as a broadcast engineer)
July: Poolbar Festival – Feldkirch, Austria (as a FOH engineer)
September: Altes Hallenbad – Feldkirch, Austria (as an FOH engineer)
November: Mother’s Cake – European Tour (as a FOH and band engineer)
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Of course you need to know the basics of the job. But in the creative industry a lot of soft skills are important too. A band won’t hire you, if you are not a nice person too, or sometimes funny. What helped me is trying to be nice and helpful. That way I got recommended by a lot of people as a reliable person who loves what he does and is easy going. I might not be the best engineer – that is ok – but I try to be always a good on in knowledge and a nice and helpful company. In the end this matters a lot. The band on stage needs to feel comfortable and if I can help them besides my knowledge, I would say this is part of my job too.
My general advice would be: know your work and tools but also be nice, be patient – it will pay off, sooner or later.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I had this feeling many times in different situations and there are warning signs. When I used to smoke, I smoked more, I could not eat (as much, sometimes at all). I got nervous, I acted without thinking, bad sleep and so on…
My strategies now are:
Talk, be open and ask for help. It is ok if you can’t do it alone – you don’t have to! Or just talk to friends, families, release your overwhelming feelings, don’t eat them up. And if you are alone – there is still ChatGPT – that thing knows a lot!
Take your time, make a list of importance – overwhelming situations occur when a lot of things are happening at the same time. You can’t take them on all together. Take a small break to think and start with the most important one. Then take up another one, and so on. Or if it helps you, start with an easy one. Like back in school, sneak your way through the exam.
Take a break and nature, this really helps me. Sometimes it is really good to go outside and get your head clear. Do sports, hiking or whatever – just let your mind to be cleared. A lot of the problems or fears are smaller when you come back.
And remember – just easy and slow, because we don’t have time!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://truepaksounds.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/truepeaksounds?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stecher-4420061b7/
Image Credits
Pics by David Stecher and Kurt Gehring
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
