Caroline-up Interview: James Dylan

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James Dylan. Serious Vocal Cords. And A Heart Of Gold. Caroline-up Interview: James Dylan By Caroline Simpson Timmerberg © CST: James, James, James! Those tonsils of yours are unimaginably stunning. Tell me, when did you first think to yourself, "Hm, this sounds pretty great, I must explore!" James Dylan: Hello, Caroline! Music has always been in my life, and I've been playing music since I was a teenager. As a musician, I always try to take it to the next level with each performance. The audience decides how good that is. CST: Was your voice the first instrument that you concentrated on or was it a straightforward musical instrument - guitar, piano or something else? JD: I first learned to play the guitar. CST: Now, I've read your bio and tried to piece together your career and musical journey a little bit. You've been - and continue to be - involved in myriad music projects, whether Principle of Alchemy, Virtual Zeppelin or Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience (JBLZE). Which musical project tends to be the object of your focus right now? I know you're wrapping up dates in Canada with JBLZE, but is this the project non plus ultra for you? Or do you perhaps feel you want to divert and spend some time on a different project? JD: Well, it's like anything. You put your energy into whatever inspires you or whatever is working well for you.

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James Dylan, herculean vocalist and lead singer with Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, wraps up the JBLZE Canadian tour while sharing some thoughts with 'Caroline-up'.

Transcript of Caroline-up Interview: James Dylan

Page 1: Caroline-up Interview: James Dylan

James Dylan.Serious Vocal Cords.And A Heart Of Gold.C

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By Caroline Simpson Timmerberg ©

CST: James, James, James!

Those tonsils of yours are unimaginably stunning. Tell me, when did you first think to yourself, "Hm, this sounds pretty great, I must explore!"

James Dylan: Hello, Caroline! Music has always been in my life, and I've been playing music since I was a teenager. As a musician, I always try to take it to the next level with each performance. The audience decides how good that is.

CST:  Was your voice the first instrument that you concentrated on or was it a straightforward musical instrument - guitar, piano or something else?

JD: I first learned to play the guitar.

CST: Now, I've read your bio and tried to piece together your career and musical journey a little bit.

You've been - and continue to be - involved in myriad music projects, whether Principle of Alchemy, Virtual Zeppelin or Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience (JBLZE). Which musical project tends to be the object of your focus right now? I know you're wrapping up dates in Canada with JBLZE, but is this the project non plus ultra for you? Or do you perhaps feel you want to divert and spend some time on a different project?

JD: Well, it's like anything. You put your energy into whatever inspires you or whatever is working well for you.

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“My voice is not really like Robert’s, but I identify with the way he delivered the songs and try to stay true to that.” - James Dylan

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CST: Let's stay with JBLZE just for a moment. This is a band with Jason Bonham, the human tidal wave of rhythmic energy, force and drumming genius, and (for people who live under rock quarries), the son of best drummer ever, Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. As if that were not enough for the senses, here you come with those unbelievable vocals that channel Robert Plant's vocals as never before. Your range and your growling, warm, smooth tones with those octaval ventures into the rafters that swirl around, up and away, grabbing us by the collar and taking us to such exciting, sensory heights - I'm listening to you sing 'Stairway To Heaven' while writing this, and truly, James, I don't know whether to cry or rip off my top and wolf call! If you said you were James Plant, Robert's son, people would not think twice! How do you think you're able to channel those Plant vocals in the brilliant way that is completely unique to you?

JD:  Hahaha, definitely rip off your top and wolf call! Woooohooo! Led Zeppelin delivered their songs in a manner which was as important to their sound as the compositions themselves. My voice is not really like Robert's, but I identify with the way he delivered the songs and try to stay true to that.

CST: I can imagine Robert Plant being extremely pleased with your vocal gifts. What are his musings about your talents?

JD: I don't know anything about any of that. I'm just a fan.  

“ ‘Whole Lotta Love’ is the exhibition of a woman’s physical and biological impact upon a man. Each song takes you to a new and unique place.” - James Dylan

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CST: While performing live, do you, as a vocalist, lock into the audience or do you more go to a place of full concentration?

JD: Definitely, everything is very intense between the band and the audience.  We are throwing energy out from the stage and the audience throws it back up to us. You build it until everyone feels it on a deep level. It's consuming when everyone is completely in the groove of what is going down.

CST: Have any of the original Led Zeppelin band members offered critique or helpful adjustments to the way you all play the material, or do they pretty much leave you to it? Jason Bonham is, after all, no slouch on the subject, right?

JD: I don't know them. Robert, Jimmy, and John Paul were Jason's father's friends and their opinions and advice mean a lot to Jason.  Whatever advice they have offered Jason would be between them.

CST: And continuing to stay with JBLZE, is there the possibility of an album together? And more touring that would possibly bring you to Europe? Because you guys would just own this place.

JD: Right now all the guys in JBLZE are writing together and plan to put something out under another name. There is talk of a Summer tour, but the details of that are yet to come.

CST: Have you considered - and how cool would it be -  recording with Robert Plant? Or maybe Plant, Page, Bonham & Dylan? Talk to your people James, make that baby happen! 

JD: Hahaha, I don't have any people yet! I'll work on getting some people and after I get my people I'll tell them to work on getting that done.

CST: Good, because I really want you to have people! Now, in your opinion, what is something that is lacking from the music industry currently? And conversely, what is superfluous in the music industry?

JD: I think music is in a very good place right now.  The internet has given musicians an inexpensive way to reach a broad spectrum of listeners without having to conform to what the record companies want their sound and image to be.  

CST: What are some of the emotions and sensory perceptions you associate with your own, personal Led Zeppelin experience?

JD: Led Zeppelin covered a lot of ground musically and they explored a vast spectrum of contrasting emotion. The song ‘Thank You’ touches the overwhelming depth of profound love. When we play it in the show, Jason shares old family movies from his father's youth, it catches you off guard in this context. I've been choked-up singing it many nights. ‘The Immigrant Song‘ is a primal battle call, an unleashing of a barbarous, animalistic attack. Their music reflects human nature. ‘Whole Lotta Love’ is the exhibition of a woman's physical and biological impact upon a man. Each song takes you to a new and unique place.

CST: Thank you, James, and you have taken this interview to a wonderful, new place with your kindness, generosity, musical gifts and profoundness. You are OH-so-lovely!

JD: Thank you Caroline, you are most welcome. Hope to see you when we are in your neck of the woods!

“I think music is in a very good place right now. The internet has given musicians an inexpensive way to reach a broad spectrum of listeners without having to conform to what the record companies want their sound and image to be.”

- James Dylan

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