The Business of Tribute Bands, James Volpe Rotondi | Hacking Music w/John Pisciotta #203
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The Business of Tribute Bands, James Volpe Rotondi | Hacking Music w/John Pisciotta #203
In this episode, we discuss the Business and the ART of tribute bands. Our guest is James Volpe Rotondi, known for his role as “Jimmy Page” in the tribute band Zoso, and his journey from joining the band to becoming the heart of it. We learn about the back story of Zoso, from its beginnings to becoming respected figureheads in the tribute band scene. James shares insights into the intricacies of recreating Jimmy Page's legendary performances, and the essence of delivering a timeless Zeppelin experience to the audience. We delve into the art of choosing which parts of a song to play live, the balance between precise imitation and creative expression, and the importance of connecting with the audience while remaining authentic to the original act.
Additionally, James also offers advice to upcoming musicians, emphasizing the importance of dedication, versatility, and continuously refining one's craft. Join us as we pay tribute to the art of tribute bands, with insights from a musician who's lived it firsthand. James shares his rich history and experiences as the former Senior editor of prominent Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines, detailing the process of creating impactful issues, the surprise of interviewing Edward Van Halen, and the camaraderie and rivalry within the industry.
🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:
Zoso Band http://www.zosoontour.com
Guitar Player Magazine https://www.guitarplayer.com
Guitar World Magazine https://www.guitarworld.com
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WHO AM I?
If we haven’t yet before - Hey 👋 I’m John, a guitar player turned entrepreneur and I’ve somehow built a holding co that builds media businesses. Publish advisory materials for training artists. Through my videos here on this channel, my podcast Hacking Music and writing, I share evidence-based strategies and tools to help you build a career you actually want.
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Special thanks to our sponsors, ArtistWerx and The Sync Center, for their support. Their contributions towards the music industry provide valuable opportunities for artists to thrive.
ArtistWerx is an execution company. We partner with managers to provide infrastructure, marketing, execution and monetization in the rapidly changing media industry. We create products and experiences to engage your customers, drive revenue, build careers and surpass your competitors. https://www.artistwerx.com
The Sync Center - Trusted by Fortune 50 companies, Filmmakers, Ad Executives, Networks, and Major Film Studios. The Sync Center is a full-service music supervision and licensing company that has managed projects for hundreds of clients including national and global brands, agencies and cultural events. https://thesynccenter.com
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⌚️Topics:
00:00 James Volpe Rotundi: His Journey with the Band Zoso
01:09 Deep Dive into Jimmy Page
03:06 Zoso's Work Ethic and Hustle
07:27 Sponsor Shoutout: ArtistWerx
08:55 James's Approach to Embodying Jimmy Page
11:44 The instrumental "architecture" of Jimmy Page
26:43 Sponsor Shoutout: The Sync Center
27:28 The Importance of Authenticity in Tribute Performances
35:25 The Sidecar Approach: Balancing Creativity and Income
40:22 Advice for Young Musicians: Stardom and the Importance of Self-Inquiry
47:00 The Philosophy of David Lee Roth
53:38 The Balance Between Dreams and Reality
54:57 Nashville as a Beacon in the New Music Marketplace
01:12:27 Interviewing Legends: Eddie Van Halen and James Hetfield