Exclusive Interview : Gennaro Esposito

Tell us a bit about your musical history.

Italy. New York. Paris. Madrid. From my university studies at the Conservatory to Master Classes with jazz/fusion, pop and gypsy musicians in multiple countries, I have tried to combine different techniques and styles because I have always believed that music is a global language. Training in classical, flamenco, folk, rock, jazz, and more – across 2 continents – forms the basis of the rhythm and melodies behind my sound.

What projects are you working on now?

I’m in the process of my second CD that reflects my experience here in NYC and includes talent from both the US and abroad. Other projects I am involved in now include a new CD with an R&B/Jazz singer, playing classic funk with a 13-piece band, and performing original rock music with a local rock band. Collaborations aside, I produce curated pieces for independent filmmakers and am in production for a video series launching in 2014 called “Fashion Compliance.”

Gennaro-Dr-J_1000x714What role does music education play in your career?

Ongoing music education is an integral part of my professional career and musical evolution. Having discovered a way to make this fun, I spend countless hours each week fine tuning my tone, learning new materials, and identifying up and coming artists.

What do you think of the current state of the music industry?

Technology’s impact on the music industry requires musicians to be in a state of constant adaptation. Producing and marketing with an understanding of the current marketplace for music is integral to success within the music industry today.

Why do you use Mooer pedals?

From the gig bag to the pedal board, Uptown to Downtown, being a musician in NYC means Mooer pedals are a key element of my gear. Not only because of the conveniently small size but also because of the rich tone it puts out without any compromise.

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Mooer Mini Flight Rig MF

This Mooer Mini Flight Rig was inspired my Michael Fenimore, one of our Mooer local artists. Neal really like Michael’s pedal selection and with the addition of the Mod Factory created a pedal board great for gigging or song writing. Click on the above video to watch Neal’s play through of the board. This board really has lots of possibilities.

Nate Lopez and his 8 Strings

Nate Lopez came to our attention through EMGtv on YouTube. He was already using several Mooer pedals in his pedal board and we hooked him with a Soul Shiver pedal!

He has some big fans out in the Bay area and was nominated this summer for best jazz artist in the North Bay at www.bohemian.com.

Some accolades…

“You will note this 7 and 8 String guitarist uses every aspect of the guitar to play bass, rhythm and lead making him a one man band.” – Positively Petaluma

“To Say Nate Lopez just plays guitar is an understatement.” – Curtis Kim KSRO

Nate Lopez writes full arrangements for his 7 and 8 strings guitars. In addition to his jazz, funk, blues inspired originals, Nate specializes in instrumental arrangements of popular classics by groups from Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, to Daft Punk. Says Nate, “the extended range of my 7 and 8 string guitars allow me to play the bass, chords, and melody simultaneously. This gives me complete control of the music.”

Nate has been playing all over California for over a decade at many venues including recently Earthfest L.A., Winter NAMM, The Catalyst Club in Santa Cruz, Laguna Beach Jazz and Art Festival, Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, Reno Jazz festival, and countless wineries.

He is also been a featured artist on radio stations KRSH, KBBF, KVYN and KGGV. Here is on on EMGtv:

Nate studied Jazz and Classical music at Solano College, then went on to study North Indian Classical Music at the Ali Akbar College of music. Over the years, Nate has acquired a broad array of musical interests and skills, and is always exploring different sounds and experiences!

Click here to learn more about Nate at his Osiamo Artist page.

John Bendy : Osiamo/Mooer Artist Update

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John Bendy was born in Brooklyn, New York October, 5 1980. He started playing guitar at age 10 and his first gig was a school talent show at age 12 after just 2 years of playing. Since then there have been hundreds upon hundreds of gigs and late night jams.

Early in the 2000s John was taken under the wing of blues masters Bill Perry and Popa Chubby. He also shared the stage with the Bendy Pastorius Group of which he was a founding member along with his brother Mike Bendy on bass and Julius Pastorius on the drums since 2007.

John played guitar on Chrissie O’Dell’s 2010 release “If I Had a Dime” which charted extremely well on blues music charts around the nation. Also in 2010 John started playing with the Hipster Assassins featuring Felix Pastorius and Mike Bendy on bass, Chris Ward on saxophone, Michael Purcell on piano and Kenny Growhowski on drums. The band would go on to have a two year Monday night residency at New York City’s Zinc Bar where John was able to share the stage with such luminaries Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) and Roy Hargrove.

2013 found John in Felix Pastorius’ The Social Experiment (1313) as well as the group Bendy Effect which he leads with his brother Mike.

Here’s a short YouTube playlist where you can hear some of John’s inventive guitar work. We’ve had him perform in our booth at NAMM, Brooklyn Guitar Show and have had the pleasure of catching him live numerous times at the 55 Bar and the Zinc Bar.


The story continues in 2014 and beyond. If you get a chance go see John play live.

John uses the Ana Echo, Hustle Drive, Ninety Orange, and Trelicopter, from the Mooer micro series.

Mooer pedals

Meet Shem Creek Music Center’s Scottie Frier

Shem Creek Music Center

How long has the store been in business?

Shem Creek Music has been open since 2004.

Shem Creek Music Center's Scottie Friera

Scottie holding Dr J Green Crystal & Mooer Shimverb

How long have you worked at the store, Scottie?

Shem Creek Music was the first place I pulled into when I moved to Charleston fresh out of high school in 2008. I was the kid they couldn’t kick out of here since then, they hired me in 2010 to help out, then in 2011, began managing the store.

Why are Dr J and Mooer pedals doing so well at your store?

Osiamo offers several great pedals, but we have had the best success with Mooer and Dr. J pedals. Those pedals sell themselves. Let a customer play one and then ring them up later, it’s been that easy for us.  Great pedals.

How does the future of music stores look?

Music stores that have adapted to the changes with online sales and Guitar Center/Sam Ash/etc. have done so by pushing their service, as well as lessons and repairs. Lessons really fuel a music store. The lessons should sell the retail, and the retail should sell the lessons. That’s how we feel a successful store should run. If more stores take this model as well as competing with Guitar Center/online prices, music stores will have a very bright future.

Shem Creek Mooer display

Shem Creek Music Center’s Mooer pedal display

What is the biggest challenge for your store for this year and beyond?

Our biggest challenge is getting the greater Charleston area to come to our store and not go to a big box or online store. This is also a blessing for us, we do more repairs than anyone else in Charleston, as well as lessons. Our customers are usually our best salesmen. People come in every day with a “Bruce sent me” or “Bob told me you guys were the guys to go to.” I make damn sure that when they come in, they leave not only satisfied with their products and services that we offer, but also happier that they came in. You want customers to WANT to come back, not just need to. Our biggest challenge is catching that “average Joe” who just saw a GC commercial with a big sale, and he goes there instead of trying the local guy first. However, in Charleston, SC, there are stickers all over town with the saying “Be Local, Buy Local.” We’re very fortunate to have a town that really supports and goes the extra mile for small business like us. In return, we do the exact same for our customers.

Thanks for reading our blog. If you’re interested in learning more about our Dr J and Mooer pedals you can click over to www.OSIAMO.com and see what we have to offer; if you’re a music store and are interested in dealer opportunities send us an email at dealers@osiamo.com and we’ll get right back in touch with you. If you’re already one of our dealers we’d love to feature you in an upcoming blog too. Get in touch with us!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The Mooer FireFly M6 : A Pedal Board that Fits in your Glove Compartment!

Osiamo Music Group and Mooer Audio are excited to announce the update to the popular Firefly pedal board. The Firefly – already the world’s smallest pedal board – now holds 6 Mooer pedals firmly and securely in place. It’s a small ergonomic gem. The Firefly features 6 form fitting slots,  a heavy duty polymer shell to withstand the abuse of being stepped on for many years, a removable lid and  a DC cable with 6 ends to power all your pedals with one power supply.

mooer firely m6

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Did we mention it can fit inside your glove box?

Image a pedal board with 6 true bypass micro pedals that weighs less than 6 lbs! Small enough to fit in a backpack; easy to carry from house to car to stage. Go straight to the gate on your fly dates. No need to check the Firefly at the airport just carry-on with you. And don’t forget, Mooer now has 54 models available with more to come! Imagine the sound and tonal possibilities.

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Kool Fact 1 : Customize your board for any gig with pedal swapping,

Kool Fact 2 : Say 6 is not enough, then chain 2 M6 boards together for 12 pedals!

tonynataliziomooer_01_700x5Join our the growing number of guitarists that are building micro boards for their fly dates and gigs were a backline is provided. We’ve quite a few artists making the switch because of the many benefits:

  • high quality, true bypass Mooer pedals
  • affordable, all Mooer pedals less than $98!
  • light easy to carry
  • nearly endless tonal possibilities
  • full 1 year warranty on all Mooer pedals

Not Band_Silhouette_01to name drop but a certain Guitar God from the most Iconic 80’s Pop/Rock band just picked up a loaded Mooer M6 for a Brazilian “fly date.” Stay tuned for a complete review!

Well 1000 words ain’t worth one video review so check out the informative video from Neal! He does a short demonstration of just one of the many possibilities available to you with Mooer micro pedals. His pedal choices: Repeater, Mod Factory, Soul Shiver, Solo, Funky Monkey and Sweeper. In all, 16 effects plus overdrive in a board that weighs less than 6 lbs!

Comment on this post with your 6 choices for a Firefly M6 would be and Neal will use his favorite suggestions in his next Firefly demo.

Let us help you find your tone and sound with Mooer pedals.

The New Soul Shiver from Mooer

Mooer Soul Shiver

Be the first on your block to add the new Mooer Soul Shiver to your pedal board. We just received this new pedal from Mooer at our warehouse yesterday and it’s very cool and very ’60’s. The new Soul Shiver from Mooer Audio features 3 modulation effects: Chorus, Vibrato, and Rotary. The Soul Shiver captures the psychedelic vibe of the late 60’s with a warm and psychedelic chorus, a wide range vibrato effect, and a really fantastic rotary speaker effect.Mooer PCZ connector

We’re shipping the Soul Shiver starting today, Friday 8th of August. And if you place your order this weekend we’ll throw in a free Mooer PCZ connector so you can hook up your new Soul Shiver your other Mooer pedals. Copy and paste this code to in your shopping cart – SOULPCZ – when you place your order and get the Mooer PCZ for Free!

Have a fantastic weekend and a great gig! And if you’re interested in the Soul Shiver + the PCZ connector for FREE, click on the button below now to get it in time for next weekend’s gig.


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