Music Now Spotlight

by Isaac Davis Junior, BGS, MBA


Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams

Perhaps one of the coolest bands currently out in the music industry Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams certainly knows how to jam. In a recent interview with lead singer of the band, Sig, we asked him several question concerning the band, their music, and their passion for making great music. Here is what was formulated from our online conversation with Sig. Enjoy!

Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you enjoy the most about being an indie performer?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: The music. That's what it is all about. Indie, major, all that jazz it makes no difference really, I just enjoy making and performing music.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have build up over the years about you in the process?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: I'd have to ask what I was expected to give up. We have been with a major and we were not asked to give up anything as far as I can remember. I remember being asked to change my trainers which we found funny - and they never got changed. So I guess it all depends. Find the right company, right people and I believe you won't be asked to change anything. But I would be very tempted to go with a major because it would give me more time to focus on doing what I want to be doing - music - and I could leave stuff I don't enjoy doing so much - marketing etc. - to people who are good at doing that. Alternatively, I have to hold down a day job which again eats into my time to create, especially if I also have to try to get the music out there. So the short answer; anything that allows me to spend more time on doing what I most enjoy doing is welcomed.

Isaac: I remembered Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it” Factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it” factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: I know little about the it factor and Simor Cowell and American Idol. In all honesty dear Simon can shove his shit factor sideways. We rock, that's all I know.

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to your music?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: Why not? It’s good. Upon listening, I wouldn't be surprised if people get all they ever dreamed of.

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: Well we bonded over a mutual love for seventies rock. That influence is still very strong within the band so in that sense the beginnings still inform what we do. On this latest album - Better When We're Dead - we really thought we were moving away from the seventies but it turns out from what we hear from people those influences are still there.

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?



Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: If we are talking about the bands that make up our name, then I'd have to say Led. Zep. simply because they have the best songs in my opinion - with Jimi not far behind them.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: What respect does it deserve? I have no idea. Good music is good music. Anything that is good is respectable. The main problem today is finding the audience I think, getting your music to the people who enjoy that kind of music. There is so much going on and easy for listeners to get lost.

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: I would uproot the fashion police and the trendsetters from the biz and replace them with people who genuinely love music. I can't stand the "cool" taking precedence over quality. I would also like to see the corporate giants dismantled and have many smaller companies - perhaps each company working within a specific genre so listeners could actually tell from the label what kinda music they were gonna get.

Isaac: What type of feedbacks have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: The feedback for this last album has been excellent all round. Judging from what I've heard it is not as easily digested as I expected but after about the third run through people love it.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: No doubt. It gives me enormous pleasure to do it so I'm afraid I would just pester my family and close friends then.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: I don't really mind people not liking it. That is to be expected - you can’t please everyone and people have different tastes and all that and that’s all good. What is terribly annoying is when it is plain stupid. When journalist haven't done their work, haven't listened or simply aren't into the stuff you're doing because it isn't what is "in" at the moment (see fashion police above) - basically when they aren't qualified to do the job. Goes back to our discussion about respect. Good journalism is respectful but bad one can be downright banal.

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your pursuant of a music career?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: Massive. To have family or friends who are supportive and encouraging is crucial. If that's not the situation, it can become very difficult to continue - but I believe if you still want to continue you have to do something about that - i.e. change the situation from bad to good.

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams:

deepjimi.com

or

itunes.apple.com/us/album/better-when-were-dead/id380113639

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words…..

Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams: Live Free!