In this final segment of our interview, Zeppephilia discusses the spiritual aspect of music and what entertaining means to them.

Interview by Patricia Walker with photos by Mike Barry

Band Members:
James Songfield – (Robert Plant) vocals
Eyal Rivlin – (Jimmy Page) guitar
Chad Coonrod – (John Bonham) drums
Michael Mitchell – (John Paul Jones) bass, mandolin, harmonies

“There’s something about music,” Eyal explained. “The way it enters your ears and it literally moves the bones in your ears. The bass frequencies will shake your body and if you’re in that field, you’re affected by that field. That’s a really powerful tool.”

“So would you say it is similar to having a mystical experience?” I asked him.

“One thing about the mystical world that I can say is that trying to capture it in words can actually take away from the ineffability of it. By definition, it’s beyond words. Poets like Rumi point to it with metaphors. They find backdoor entryways into it. But typically, as you try to hold it or catch it with words, it slips away!”

Eyal Rivlin

 

 

 

 

He did, however, say that it “feels like a state of being in complete bliss or complete presence… [that] it’s a natural way to get there; it’s an ecstatic way. It’s a healthy way; it’s a communal way. It’s a cathartic way. There are many paths to the One. You can dance yourself to ecstasy; you can fast. Some people get it from extreme sports, or drugs, or sex, and music is another path to it that is so in the moment, so natural in a way. There is a learning curve to get there. It takes a little bit of practice and skill to get there but I do think it is accessible to everyone.”

Michael Mitchell

I asked Mike’s response to a quote by the late classical pianist, Arthur Rubinstein who said: “When I play, I make love. It is the same thing.”

“That really captures the visceral part of music and what you get from it because it is,” replied Mitchell. “Like I said earlier, when I’m playing bass, it feels right in my hands. One could venture to say that from your hands you get this energy or you’re channeling through your hands. You feel the sweat and the vibrations and the fact that you can be exhausted [but] when you’re playing music, suddenly you’ve got all this energy … It’s not like your typical mental acuity process where you’re thinking very hard and you’re focusing very intently; there are so many aspects of your physiological being going into it. It is like sex, when you stand back and look at the actual operation, there are only certain areas that are being stimulated [yet] there’s this massive stimulation; it’s a matter of experience.”

“And there’s just something so sensual about that, isn’t there?” I asked.

“Definitely!” Mike said. “Music is emotional, and when you bring that passion to a performance the audience feels what you feel.”

The author was unable to interview Mr. Songfield, but I’m sure he would whole-heartedly agree with these statements.

James Songfield

As I spoke with Zeppephilia, another comment I heard repeatedly from them was how much they love to entertain.

“As a musician, it is very satisfying when people are right up front dancing and singing. There is something magical in that interaction where there is an energetic exchange—a give and receive,” said Eyal.

Mike concurred. “We do it because we love doing it. And [when] we play in front of people and they like it, [it’s] even better. It’s not really about making money. It’s not because we worship Led Zeppelin either. And that’s a very important part of it: one should offer one’s own interpretation. It’s something we view in such high regard; it’s great music, and we’ve been heavily influenced by it but [we also] add our own to it.”

Michael Mitchell & Chad Coonrod

Said Chad, “I love to see the crowd having a good time—dancing, having fun [while] I’m playing. That’s when I’m in my sweet spot!”

With this kind of heart and soul behind it, it’s no wonder Zeppephilia is such an extraordinary tribute band. They’re not just going through the motions; they’re feeling it with every part of themselves and doing their damnedest to make sure you feel it too. And believe me, you do.

Zeppephilia recently played the Boulder Theater in January and they’ll be playing The Soiled Dove in Denver, in March, and this summer, they’ll be performing at outdoor festivals across Colorado. For more information, videos, photos and upcoming appearances, please visit the band’s website at www.zeppephilia.com or check out their Facebook page.

With a grin in his voice, Chad concluded, “We’re going to continue to work on marketing and continue to build our Zeppelin song base and who knows what the future holds? Rock and roll! Come out and see Zeppephilia!”

(Photos courtesy of Mike Barry and Fort Collins Photo Works. Used by permission. For more information, please visit http://www.fortcollinsphotoworks.com/).

***The author would like to extend a huge thank you to the members of Zeppephilia for granting me this interview and for allowing me to peer into your lives for a brief moment and to experience your incredible talent once again.

I enthusiastically encourage everyone to go and see Zeppephilia                                     –the BEST Led Zeppelin tribute band there is!