Great Pleasure For www.jazzbluesrock.gr to talk with Nate Lopez about Music, Instruments and More..!
First of all welcome to Jazzbluesrock!
Taking the chance by your last video how could you characterize your type of playing?
I specialize in a funky, grooving kind of fingerstyle where I keep the bass line going the entire time while improvising melody and chords over the top. I was a bass player first so the groove is paramount.
I play the bass line with my thumb and the chords and melody with my index middle and ring fingers, I also slap the strings while playing to give the music a bit of percussive effect.
Is it a kind of acoustic fusion or something more outstanding?
Although the word "fusion" is sometimes almost a bad word in the jazz community, I think it’s appropriate. My style and genre of music that I play is influenced by so many types of music from blues, Indian ragas, east coast hip hop, James brown, miles Davis, and so many more. It’s absolutely a melting pot of cultures and styles. To answer your question, it’s a new kind of fusion, pioneered by tuck address and Charlie Hunter that I’m just trying to continue and expand upon.
How did you start playing on 7 or may in the future 8 string acoustic?
I was a bass player for many years before I picked up the guitar, and when I did, the 6 string guitar didn’t have a lot of weight in the music, and I missed that. The groove is controlled largely by the bass. I wanted to play more melody but didn’t want to lose the groove and the control over the music. When I first saw Charlie hunter playing his 8 string, i knew the hybrid bass/guitar was the answer.
What does this offer to a musician? N how much does it open new horizons?
It’s pretty huge. All musicians play by themselves when we practice, with the added bass strings, I can accompany myself and that makes practicing a lot more musical and fun.
Which is your guitar’s brand? Is it a custom one?
I own several guitars (15?), But really only gig with a couple of them. My 8 string was made for me by novax guitars. great instrument. They don’t make an acoustic model though so i'm looking into commissioning a custom fanned fret acoustic 8 string from Blackbird guitars. They make incredible carbon fiber acoustic guitars.
Tell us as about your discography until now?
I have a solo 8 string album of all originals that is on iTunes, Amazon, etc... I also have an Ep of myself and a drummer, all original souljazz type stuff. Before i started focusing on my solo career, I had the pleasure of playing on three albums with the Latin band, cascada, where I played the bass guitar (5 string with a high c), I also recorded an album with a peruvian singer Ilaya, where I played upright bass.
Working with emg has been fantastic. They not only make such high quality pickups, but the people are cool, super easy to work with, and they really care about getting the best possible sound for their artists. They really listen and care.
What can we expect from y at the close future?
I’m working on a new solo project that I can’t talk too much about. Very excited. It will feature several guitars and all new original music, including some indian raga influence.
I have been fortunate to be endorsed by emg, zt amps, reunion blues, one control, I also have headlined some festivals with some pretty great musicians.
Any tour or coming in Greece?
Not at the moment but I would love to!
What do you think about Mike Dawes, is there any common?
I’d say the main commonalities​ are that we both play instrumental guitar using uncommon techniques, although our technique is very different. ​I come at most of my music from a jazz/funk perspective and focus on improvisation​ and keeping a bassline going while I improvise. I think he is finding amazing new ways to use the guitar, both melodically, and as a percussive instrument. I can't thank him enough for helping bring instrumental solo music to the masses. His arrangements and originals are great and technically astounding.
Hope the best for your music trip, waiting your new album!