This is the first and last time JP was in an interview of this kind while he was still a member of LZ. It is a three part audio interview which is a trip to listen to and there is text to go along with so you can really get into the experience that Rosen shared with JP
Okay folks, here is what I have been waiting on to post for all you fans of Virtual Zeppelin ~ the Interview with the Singer, James
Q: What inspired you to become a musician?
A: When I was 6 I had a crush on a girl named Susan O’Connell who loved David Cassidy… I figured the best way to her heart was through music. Me and some friends would put on concerts for the neighborhood. We couldn’t actually play yet, but we put on some great shows faking it to the record, hahaha
Q: When did you begin your journey as a Zeppelin Fan.
A: My sister played the guitar and one of the songs she played was “Stairway to Heaven” I didn’t know who Led Zeppelin were at the time, but I remember thinking “Stairway to Heaven” sounded beautiful and somehow ancient like a long forgotten song from another time. It left an indelible impression on me. A few years later I saw “The Song Remains the Same” in a theater and I was an instant fan.
Q: How did you discover you were a perfect match for Robert Plants vocals?
A: When I was in High School I played guitar and my band used to play a lot of Led Zeppelin. We had the music down really well, but none of the singers we had could ever sing like Robert Plant. At one of our rehearsals I was trying to show our singer, Joe, the correct way to phrase one of the lines in a Led Zeppelin song. The guys were like WTF? …They didn’t know I could sing until then. Shortly after that I became the singer for that band.
Q: Have you ever considered recording in a studio together, if so what would you record?
A: Virtual Zeppelin has not recorded in studios yet. The distance between us makes that proposition a difficult one, but the process we are using is not terribly different from a studio recording. The only difference is that we don’t ever see each other.
Q: How did Virtual Zeppelin come about and when?
A: About 8 months ago I came across Jun’s channel and I wrote him a comment that I wanted to collaborate with him. He found the other members.
Q: Who are the band members and where do you all hail from?
A:
Keyboards – Karl – Texas, USA
Drums – Frank – New Mexico, USA
Bass – Bill – Canada
Guitar – John – Texas, USA
Guitar – Jun – Japan
Vocals – James – Virginia, USA
Q: When did you begin placing the videos on YouTube and is that the sole place you publicize your music.
A: About a year and a half ago I met a beautiful girl on MySpace and she was really into Led Zeppelin, so I wanted to leave her a video as a comment on her MySpace page. It was the song “That’s the Way.” I have been dating her since then and I’ve made several other videos for her.
Q: Do you play any instruments besides the guitar?
A: Yes, I play bass, mandolin and drums
Q: When did you all begin playing together?
A: We started working on our first video “Ten Years Gone” in March of 2008.
Q: Do you write your own music as well as play covers of Zeppelin?
A: Yes, I write my own music.
Q: Do you tour or play live?
A: Yes, I have been performing live since I was 18 and have toured with two bands. I am not in a band at the moment.
Q: Who is responsible for your technology side of making the videos and producing the music?
A: John, Jun and Karl do the video editing. Jun, John and I mix the music, but we all make contributions.
Q: Have any of the members of Led Zeppelin contacted you?
A: Haha, People keep asking me if I am the “American singer” who will be touring with Led Zeppelin in 2009. I went to Robert Plant’s official Web site and Robert Plant says the whole thing is a bunch of rumors regarding the “American singer” and plans to tour. If anyone else in Virtual Zeppelin has been contacted by the members of Led Zeppelin, they have not told me about it.
Q: Even though this is a totally unfair question to ask of a Zep fan, I would love to know … which Album or Song of Led Zeppelin’s is your most favorite?
A: Haha, yes very unfair… If I had to pick a favorite album it would be “Houses of the Holy”. Picking one song is going to be far more difficult… I will pick 4
1. Four Sticks
2. No Quarter
3. The Battle of Evermore
4. Ramble On
Now those answers will surely change in a day, lol
Q: For those of us who are waiting, will we be seeing a new video soon?
A: Yes, we have recorded “Black Dog” and will be posting it late October early November.
Q: Finally, are there any plans to bring Virtual Zeppelin to a more live band experience?
A: There aren’t any immediate plans to perform live together, but that could change should the stars align.
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Lisa, thank you for thinking to do this with me it was a lot of fun.
Talk soon, my friend.
~ Jamie
To contact James, or view more of his work please check the following links ~
This Interview was a total blast, and one that I am so proud to have been a part of, my thanks to James and the band for not only the Interview but for some of the best music we have been treated to in a long time. I hope to get in touch with the other band members soon for Interviews.
And now the video that started my journey into being a Fan of Virtual Zeppelin ~
I have been a youtube user now for 2 years on the 19th of this month,* whoo hooo for my bad new media self * anyway, many many times I find and use the authentic bands videos or videos made by fans. I have never once until today run across a band that totally blows my socks off…… Virtual Zeppelin
As noted at Spyder's Random Things: Virtual Zeppelin these guys play with ‘freakish accuracy‘. I will be working on asking one of them ( or all) for an interview here as soon as I can obtain contact info.
There are a few videos that they have posted, but this one is my favorite. And tho I am now and will be forever a True Led Zeppelin Fan, I have to say that should these guys actually get together and do tours I will be a happy camper. This makes twice now that this has occurred, wonder how far this will go? Great for fans.
October 18 2010 Monday ~ Blazy and Bob
Currrently rocking the airwaves on 99.7 KIOO Visalia CA
:)
and also ~ 104.3 The Hippo
along with Laurie Roberts !
Call the NEW Blazey & Bob comment line anytime: (888) 483 - 2865
* tell them Lisa says hey from Kentucky :) *
