Today, more artists than ever have access to recording tools, distribution platforms, and social media. In theory, anyone can release music globally overnight.
And yet, very few bands actually break through.
Insights from Touring engineer Lars Erik Schjerpen
According to Lars Erik Schjerpen, the answer has surprisingly little to do with talent alone.
Schjerpen is the lead singer of the Norwegian rock band Harmony Drive, a band that has toured both the United States and the Philippines, reached the Top 20 on international radio charts, and worked with Grammy-winning producers including Sylvia Massy (Tool, Prince, Johnny Cash) and Richard “Vern” Brummond.
But beyond being an artist himself, Schjerpen has also spent over 20 years working as a live sound engineer and touring technician for major Norwegian artists, including Turbonegro and Hellbillies.
That combination has given him a perspective most artists never get.
I’ve seen bands from both sides,” Schjerpen explains. “As an artist on stage, but also standing behind the mixing desk, watching everything unfold in real time. And honestly, most bands fail long before the audience hears the first song.
Most Bands Underestimate Preparation
One of the biggest mistakes Schjerpen sees is lack of preparation.
“A lot of bands think passion is enough. It’s not. The professional bands rehearse differently. They communicate differently. They understand timing, transitions, and dynamics before they even walk on stage.”
According to him, audiences can feel when a band is truly prepared.
“It’s not about being technically perfect. It’s about confidence and control. People can feel when a band believes in what they’re doing.”
Professionalism Beats Talent More Often Than People Think
Over the years, Schjerpen has worked around incredibly talented musicians — but talent alone rarely guarantees success.
“The bands that keep moving forward are usually the ones who show up prepared, treat people well, and consistently deliver. The music industry is smaller than people think. Reputation matters.”
He points out that many younger artists focus heavily on exposure while ignoring professionalism.
“Everybody wants attention. Fewer people focus on becoming reliable.”
Live Performance Still Changes Everything
In an era dominated by streaming, TikTok and short-form content, Schjerpen believes many artists underestimate the power of live performance.
“You really discover who a band is live. In the studio, you can fix almost anything. Live, the truth comes out.”
Then he says the line that sums it all up:
“The internet can make people notice you. Touring decides whether they remember you.”
After years touring and working shows, he says the bands people remember are rarely the most flawless.
“They’re the ones with identity. Energy. Conviction. The bands that make people feel something.”
Touring Teaches You To Adapt Or Fail
One of the biggest realities of touring is unpredictability.
“You never know what you’re walking into at a venue,” Schjerpen says.
Bad acoustics. Broken monitors. No soundcheck. Half-working equipment.
A room that kills the energy before the first note is played.
“The difference between amateur and professional bands is what happens next.”
Professional bands adapt.
Amateur bands panic.
Schjerpen has experienced it countless times.
“I’ve walked into venues where the equipment sucks, the sound is bad, and the concert could easily have been a disaster.”
That is when the real job begins.
“That’s when you need to know the band’s music. You need to know where the dynamics should lift, where the song needs space, and how to help the band feel comfortable even when the room is fighting you.”
He says a good engineer is not only a technical person.
Sometimes, they are also the psychologist in the room.
“You have to calm people down, solve problems quickly, and work with the crew to make the show great even when nothing is really rigged for it.”
And that, according to Schjerpen, is where professionals separate themselves.
“Some nights are not set up to be good. You have to make them good.”
A Great Crew Can Save A Bad Show
This is something younger bands massively underestimate.
“A good live crew can completely change the outcome of a concert.”
According to Schjerpen, experienced engineers and technicians know how to solve problems fast, control chaos, protect the performance and keep the band calm under pressure.
“Some bands think live sound is just technical. It’s not. A great crew protects the energy of the show.”
And sometimes, that is the difference between a disaster and a breakthrough performance.
What Young Sound Engineers Need To Understand
Schjerpen also believes many younger sound engineers focus too much on gear — and not enough on the actual purpose of the job.
“Your job isn’t just mixing sound. Your job is helping the band connect with the audience.”
According to him, great live engineers do much more than operate equipment.
They shape dynamics. They save performances when things go wrong. They help bands sound bigger than they are. They understand how to create emotional impact in a room.
“The best engineers know the band’s music almost as well as the band itself.”
That understanding becomes critical on tour.
“If you know the songs, you know where the energy needs to lift, where the dynamics need space, and how to react quickly when problems happen.”
Schjerpen says adaptability is one of the most underrated skills in live sound.
“No two venues sound the same. Every room fights you differently.”
That means every night becomes problem-solving in real time.
“You’re constantly adjusting. EQ, dynamics, monitor balance, room response, crowd energy. You’re solving problems every single night.”
And according to him, that is where real experience comes from.
“Touring forces you to become fast, calm, and creative under pressure.”
Gear Will Never Replace Identity
Having worked with Grammy-winning producers and toured internationally for many years, Schjerpen has also seen how musicians often obsess over the wrong things.
“A lot of artists think they need better gear, better plugins, better equipment. But none of that creates identity.”
Some of the most memorable artists he has worked around were rough around the edges, imperfect and unpredictable. But they sounded like themselves.
“The artists who stand out usually stop trying to sound perfect.”
Touring Exposes Weaknesses Fast
Touring internationally taught Schjerpen another important lesson:
Weak foundations always get exposed.
“When you play night after night, you can’t hide behind hype. Poor preparation, internal tension, weak songs — it all becomes obvious over time.”
At the same time, he believes touring is one of the fastest ways for artists to grow.
“You improve because you’re forced to adapt constantly. That pressure can either break a band or sharpen it.”
The Industry Changed. Human Nature Didn’t
Technology transformed music.
Anyone can upload songs now.
Anyone can build a home studio.
Anyone can go viral.
But Schjerpen believes the fundamentals remain the same.
“Identity, consistency, preparation, and emotional connection still win.”
Not shortcuts.
Not hype.
Not algorithms.
Why He Connected With MyTalent
Schjerpen believes platforms like MyTalent are important because many artists today are missing something bigger than exposure.
They are missing development.
“There are already plenty of places to upload music. What’s missing is structure, community, and honest feedback.”
He sees value in environments where artists can connect, improve, and learn from others inside the industry.
“The artists who grow the most are usually the ones who stay open, keep learning, and surround themselves with the right people.”
Final Thoughts
After years on the road — both on stage and behind the scenes — Schjerpen believes the difference between artists who last and artists who disappear is surprisingly simple:
“The successful bands usually treat it like a craft — not just a dream.”
Lars Erik Schjerpen
Lead singer of Harmony Drive
Touring sound engineer and producer
MyTalent member
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