We're here talking with James LaBrie, the world famous singer of the world famous band Dream Theater as well as his side
project MullMuzzler and a number of other really great recordings like Explorers Club and Leonardo: Original Cast Recording.
James, thanks so much for taking some time out of your no doubt busy schedule to talk with us. Let me say I've been a fan
ever since I first heard you when Images and Words came out and I've rapidly gotten all the material I can find you on since
then.
JL> Thanks Shawn. Nice words and glad your on my team.
Q. So what is keeping you busy these days? I've heard rumors of various projects, is there anything you can talk about
specifically?
JL> A few thing. First, I am spending much time with my family and making the most of DT's down time. Secondly I am doing a
project with Tim Donahue. He is an amazing guitar player and writer. I will be going into the studio to do vocals for this
project starting on the 17th of Feb.
Tim is a graduate of Berkley in Boston. The music is hard rock with some progressive moments. The lyrics are conceptual.
A loose description of the lyrics are that they explore areas around man's place and understanding with the fragility and
balancing of existence. The beleif in religion, God and it's significance with a constant uncertainty in all that is is and
how stable it will remain with the perils of the world constantly rearing it's ugly head. " Got off on a tangent... Sorry."
Very cool music and I can't wait for everyone to hear this. Real exciting.
Also, I am working and at the moment writing both music and lyrics for my next project with Matt Guillory. It will be a
continuation of MullMuzzler but will not continue under that moniker. I have not decided what I will name the project. Could
be as simple as James La Brie Project.
Lastly, but not least, I will be getting together with DT and begin working on our next disc. It will be sometime in the
next little while.
Q. What's in your CD player these days? I'm usually more surprised by the answer to this question than I not surprised.
JL> Right now I have Peter Gabriel's 'UP' disc. Incredible and Spock Beard's 'Snow'. Another fantastic collection of music.
Other than that, I have been listening to a Jazz Masters' radio station. Very cool.
Q. Congratulations on the 'Pro Secrets of Heavy Rock Singing'. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, how did the book come
about and your involvement in it?
JL> It was brought to my attention through a publicist. I agreed to speak with Bill Martin ( Author ) and he was very
insightful and passionate with the whole art of singing. Bill was terrific and he wrote a very informative and enlightening
book on the voice. Well done indeed, Bill.
Q. MullMuzzler: Great albums, I really enjoy them myself other than the really funky album covers, can't say I liked that
part much, but aside from that bit the project is really an amazing accomplishment from both a song writing perspective and
just pulling it off the way you did. I'd like to know if MullMuzzler is going to be a perpetual thing like Mike & The
Mechanics was for Mike Rutherford of Genesis, or if you are done with it now?
JL> As I mentioned above. Yes at this stage I am working on another disc. to follow up on MullMuzzler 2 but it will be
under another moniker. If all continues to go as smooth as it has then there is every reason to continue this venture.
Q. How is the writing process going to work on the next one? Are you guys going to try and physically get together more to
write and record?
JL> Yes we have been together much more this time around but there is never enough time to complete every idea or
concept, so you are still faced with refining and finishing each other's ideas ( the songs ) from a distance.
Q. I hope this question doesn't come across wrong, but on virtually all the projects I've seen you on, I don't think I've
seen you credited with any hardcore writing of lyrics or music, which makes me curious as to how something like MullMuzzler
is done considering it is a James LaBrie project. Can you explain to me your involvement in writing and song development and
recording? I've always been curious because you are really such a fantastic singer.
JL> First thank you for your abundance of compliments. If you look closely along with or beside the music credits or
within the sleeve you will see that I am credited with both the writing of the music and the majority of the lyrics. I have a
completely different involvement when working on my solo project.
Q. From various bits I've read about you in the past, you take your voice and singing very seriously. I'm wondering if you
ever had a problem with your voice that got you into this mode, or if you realized early on and got yourself on the "straight
and narrow" before any trouble could happen.
JL> I realized very early on that I had to be totally commited to singing and have a clear or as clear I could
understanding of the art of singing. I was very serious and stayed away from anything that I thought would be detramental to
my voice. Substance abuse etc...
With this being said , I did have an unfortunate accident while down in Cuba Dec. 94' with my wife and friends. I came
down with food poisoning and while throwing up and being violently ill I ruptured my vocal chords. I saw 3 ENT's ( Ears, Nose
and Throat specialist.) and they said it would be a very long recovery or convelescense. I felt my voice much weaker and had
lost some of my range. Thankfully after a few years I gained back my entire vocal strength but never did get back my complete
range. It could have been much worse.
As you can see when the accident did happen I still had most of the 'Awake' ( Waking up the World ) tour to finish. Was
not a lot of fun.
I am now very comfortable where I am as a singer and feel my voice still changing with every year for the better. I am
most fortunate and take none of this for granted.
Q. What's something you would most like people to know about you, or any misconceptions you might like to clear up?
JL> Know me how you met me as a singer. Nothing more or less. That is our relationship and always will be.
Q. What kind of stuff do you do in your spare time? Do you hang out with the other DT guys or do you need a break after the
recording and touring?
JL> I live quite far from the rest of the guys so the getting together only happens when we are in the band mode. Keeps
everything healthy.
Other things are: in winter downhill skiing. sledding and just getting out with other friends and family.
The summer I camp, boat, hike and do the friends and family stuff.
Q. What inspires you in your music, what do you draw from?
JL> Musically I'm inspired by what I hear on radio and other bands and moods. Lyrically it comes from my observance of life,
relationships and literature I've read.
Q. To wrap up I'd like to give you an open forum for anything you'd like to say on any topic, so anything you'd like to say?
JL> I hope the world can resolve it's differences and misunderstanding of race, creed and culture. Maybe one day we can
have an entire planet existing within peace.
All the best to everyone and may you prosper in all your endeavors.
Cheers,
James La Brie.
