Years after Led Zeppelin went their separate ways former frontman 
Robert Plant has been enjoying carving a new name for himself.
And he has been exploring a new musical direction, with the rock legend taking inspiration from American blues, folk and roots music for his new group, Band of Joy.
Significant in itself, Band of Joy was the name of the band fronted by a teenage Plant, just before the he was scouted for Led Zeppelin.
The current offering features Plant playing alongside Buddy Miller and the singer Patty Griffin and producing a diverse range of music.
However, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Plant explains that its his love of American music which has been the biggest influence on his most recent career direction.
”There are so many different cultures in America. We were all just Anglo-Saxons or Celts hanging onto tradition and looking quite enviously at America. So when I got to America I was never gonna let it go,” he said.
With Band of Joy, he is reaching even deeper into US traditions, finding roots in Europe, Latin America and beyond, still enthralled by the wild sounds from across the pond.
He continued, telling the news provider: ”I’m using American stuff from the 19th century on this new record. I’m delving and digging into hill music from everywhere.
“Because a lot of the music comes from Ireland and Scotland anyway, and some of it comes from West Africa, and some of it comes from Cuba and Mexico, and it all melts into a great homogeneous American music.”
Plant will be showcasing this new music when he plays the forthcoming BBC Electric Proms.
He will be joined on stage by the London Oriana Choir and perform eclectic material from his Band of Joy album.
Robert Plant has been enjoying carving a new name for himself.And he has been exploring a new musical direction, with the rock legend taking inspiration from American blues, folk and roots music for his new group, Band of Joy.
Significant in itself, Band of Joy was the name of the band fronted by a teenage Plant, just before the he was scouted for Led Zeppelin.
The current offering features Plant playing alongside Buddy Miller and the singer Patty Griffin and producing a diverse range of music.
However, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Plant explains that its his love of American music which has been the biggest influence on his most recent career direction.
”There are so many different cultures in America. We were all just Anglo-Saxons or Celts hanging onto tradition and looking quite enviously at America. So when I got to America I was never gonna let it go,” he said.
With Band of Joy, he is reaching even deeper into US traditions, finding roots in Europe, Latin America and beyond, still enthralled by the wild sounds from across the pond.
He continued, telling the news provider: ”I’m using American stuff from the 19th century on this new record. I’m delving and digging into hill music from everywhere.
“Because a lot of the music comes from Ireland and Scotland anyway, and some of it comes from West Africa, and some of it comes from Cuba and Mexico, and it all melts into a great homogeneous American music.”
Plant will be showcasing this new music when he plays the forthcoming BBC Electric Proms.
He will be joined on stage by the London Oriana Choir and perform eclectic material from his Band of Joy album.