Interview: Tommy Tallarico of Video Games Live [Music]

I had the opportunity to speak with Tommy Tallarico of Video Games Live(and basically all music of games you love). The first part of the interview is available recorded with the rest just below.

Tommy Tallarico Interview: Part 1 Audio

Tommy Interview Part 1

Jeff: Got any great tour stories?

Tommy: It’s been amazing touring all over the world. Brazil loves video game music and we go down there and play songs. The walls are shaking before we even get on stage. It’s just amazing.

I think one show that I really think of was in Taiwan during the China Olympics. The country was really down because they were told they weren’t allowed to wave the Taiwanese flag and so at the encore as I was running out I grabbed the Taiwan flag and the place just went crazy! There were people crying in the aisles and I just did it as a way to show them I supported and respected them. It still gives me chills.

J: You’ve performed with loads of major superstars(Steven Tyler is your cousin). Who has been the most interesting? 

T: The second time we were playing the Hollywood bowl and it was amazing. Steve Vai did the music for Halo and he’s one of the best guitarists in the world. So I asked him because we’re friends to come play and I asked him what he wanted to do and he said lets go out and play solos back and forth. I told him no way! I’m just playing power chords! You play all the solos you want! I may look like the Karate Kid as an Italian but I can’t do the Crossroads moment. As I was going on stage I realized I didn’t have a pick and he gave me one and it was like awwww.  I have that pick framed gold it was so amazing.

J: What games are you playing right now?

T: I’m a little behind. I’m playing Red Dead, still trying to finish God of War 3 and Uncharted 2. So I’m a little bit behind but they are such good games. I saw the 3DS that came out yesterday and I’m looking forward to picking one of those up. I saw people in line had those and I was like cool!

J: You recently announced you’re a Vegan. How has that been with travelling and trying to stay with the lifestyle?

T: I’ve been a Vegan for a few years but I recently did some PETA ads. I just love life and I think no matter what kind of animal you are you deserve a chance. Coming from an Italian family it was kinda different going from meat and cheese. But I can still have pasta just without the meat and cheese in it. I love to cook so I like trying to make things like Key Lime Pie and make it healthy with ways that I can eat it. The leading causes of death are heart disease and cancer which are caused by things we put inside us. I use and app made by Happycow.com which tells me all about the different foods available and restaurants. I didn’t used to like vegetables but I’ve found eating it changes your palate and you start to enjoy it more. My girlfriend has been vegan for 12 years and people are starting to open their eyes and it’s more available. It’s also easier in California where we have so much fresh stuff.

Tommy Interview Part 1