This week Neal takes a look at some of Nate Lopez’ favorite Mooer pedals. Neal puts together the Soul Shiver, Trelicopter, Ninety Orange, Shimverb, and throws in the Micro Looper so you can the various effects in an impromtu composition of Neal’s. We were joking with Neal that he needed the Micro Looper to replicate Nate’s 8 string playing.
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.
Using his Mooer Pedals in an EMGtv Video
Tell us about your musical background
My whole family are professional musicians, so I grew up surrounded by music and musicians. I didn’t get interested until I was 12, and I wanted to play the real guitar because I sucked at Guitar Hero. Once I started being able to play just a little, it became all I wanted to do, and I played all the time, even gave my PS2 away so I’d spend more time on the guitar! I started going to a lot of recording sessions with my Dad and all these amazing, world class guitar players were really cool to me and very supportive. I still learn a lot from them.
What are you working on now?
My main project is my own band, the BOY WONDER BAND, (www.boywonderband.com) where I get to play with a total badass band of seasoned pros, who are all like family, except for my brother, who IS my family. We play regularly at BB King’s in Nashville and it’s made me have to learn how to think on my feet and manage my energy for a four hour gig. I’m also trying to get comfortable with all the genres of music like jazz, fusion, country, funk, R&B and soul music.
What is the role of education in music?
I always hated school, but I like learning… well, guitar at least. I’m home schooled and so I’m kinda in music school all the time, minus the girls, for now. For real, I spend at least five hours a day playing. Unlike regular school, I also get to study with really great musicians and music is what I want to do for a living anyway. Other than playing the guitar, I’m kinda useless, so it’s a good thing I have a regular gig!
How do you feel about the current ‘state of the music industry’?
That doesn’t really concern me yet and my total focus is on being the best player I can possibly be. All my mentors tell me that’s the only important thing at this point.
Why do use Mooer pedals?
1) they sound awesome,
2) they are tiny,
3) they’re TRUE BYPASS!!!!! and
4) Rawn is easily one of the the coolest guys out there!
For more information about Johnny and Boy Wonder Band visit : www.boywonderbluesband.com
For more information about Mooer pedals visit : www.osiamo.com
15 year old guitar prodigy Johnny Reno Prentice shows off his new Mooer micro pedals: Green Mile, Hustle Drive and ShimVerb. You can learn more about Johnny at http://www.boywonderbluesband.com.
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