Q&A With Virginia Man | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Q&A With Virginia Man

This is the band you're about to fall in love with.

1279
Q&A With Virginia Man
Sarah Lorraine

Saturday, October 29, I ended up going to a concert I didn't plan on going to because I love my awesome roommate who was putting on a benefit concert to raise money for Radski – Radford and Pulaski – Young Life's campership fund. The concert's headliners were Virginia Man. And let me tell you, these guys are going places.

Let's start off by introducing each of the band members to you. The lead singer's name is Kristian Lietzan, on piano, we have Jacob Keller, on electric guitar, we have Andrew Burlingame, on drums, we have Jack Rutherford, and on bass guitar, we have Jason Ross.

All of them are incredible at what they do – they covered a NEEDTOBREATHE song that I have seen before in concert and honestly, their cover was just as good as NEEDTOBREATHE's rendition.

Being the ambitious little editor in chief I am, I could not pass up the opportunity to interview these fellas to figure what Virginia Man is all about.

And they were kind of enough to answer my questions after they rocked Radford Coffee Company.


How did you start?

Kristian: Andrew, an old band mate and I were playing downtown of Fredericksburg just three acoustic guitars on the street. Someone stopped and offered to have us play a three-hour set at a bar in downtown Fredericksburg; the set only lasted an hour and a half but we all had so much fun we knew we wanted to keep doing this. Then we slowly started growing the band to where we are now.

Would you rather wear denim on denim for the rest of your life or only be able to eat with a knife for the rest of your life?

Band consensus: Justin Timberlake. 2001. Denim suit. That is all.

Outside of the band what do you do?

Jacob: I'm a middle school math teacher and a high school young life leader.

Jack: I work at a coffee shop and volunteer with worship and production at my church.

Andrew: I'm a high school young life leader and a senior in college.

Jason: I'm a bird watcher, a long-walks-on-the beach-kind-of-guy...*laughs* but really I work part time construction and currently going to school for cyber security.

Kristian: I'm a high school Young Life Leader, a freelance construction worker and volunteer with worship at my church.

What's your inspiration?

Andrew: Musical inspiration for sure is The Tallest Man on Earth.

Jack: Mumford & Sons definitely is one my musical inspiration for sure with some others in there too, but I actually have a story about my inspiration to do music. When I was ten years old my mom took me to a New Boyz concert and on stage, they had this spinning drum set. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. That was the moment I knew I wanted to play music for the rest of my life.

Jacob: 80's pop – Madonna, Pat Benatar, and Chaka Khan. No doubt.

Kristian: Creeds Clearwater Revival. That's it.

Jason: I grew up with a bluegrass influence from my dad so Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs.

Where do you want this to go?

Jacob: Part of the song Andrew wrote, Elegy, talks about leaving your old life behind. We want to do music excellently so that one day there could be thousands of people singing in dance with us about leaving their old life behind.

Other Band Members: Yeah, that is pretty much how we all feel.


Andrew: We definitely see this as an act of worship, but it's more than that too, it's a gift from the Lord; He is loving us by letting us create music and share it with others.

These guys are worth your time and your support. Check out their campaign to help get their EP recorded.You want them to have their EP recorded because their music is so fun and so good. And then you will have access to it. And then you will always be able to listen to it. And it will make your day to day life better.

If you like The Lumineers;

If you like The Avett Brothers;

If you like NEEDTOBREATHE;

If you like Judah & the lion;

you will love Virginia Man.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

15468
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

6680
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4934
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

4334
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments