Oscar Lopez 2007

Two worlds, two cultures...One Voice... "Music Without Boundaries"

Compadres : two brilliant performers at their best.

They describe their music as 'celtino', a distinctive blend of celtic and latino flourishes that, together, create an entirely new hybrid.

David : Oscar, so good to talk to you, thank you very much for taking the time to do this.

Oscar : Not at all it’s my pleasure... let’s say it’s the Compadres pleasure.

David : First of all Oscar, it's been a much anticipated and welcomed return of the Compadres.  How's your health these days and was there a time where you thought that this return may not happen ?

Oscar : Well you know, I can tell you this… I feel like a million bucks! That comes from my heart to you.

Compadres has been such an amazing return.  It’s been great to come back and play music again.  I took my time, 3 years in fact while I was under the weather but musically speaking, I feel refreshed.  I feel that when the Compadres went to Australia and New Zeeland this year, it was a very important tour for us to get that magical combination back.  We are happy to be back playing music, playing concerts together.  Sometimes its important to remember those ugly days.  Life is a process so the most important thing is that we are back but with all my honesty and modesty... good food takes time to cook you know?

I feel energetic and I’m 54 you know and we want to keep going and keep working and bring music to the people. You can make as many records as you want but you have to play live and that’s the important thing in my point of view.

David : The band finished a very successful tour of Australia and New Zeeland prior to finishing the new CD "Buddy, Where You Been?"  How did that tour come about, and was it a case of wanting to shake off any cob-webs and re-connect with James before finishing the new album?

Oscar : When we went there, we had…well not a plan but an intention.  We talked about it and we thought maybe it was the right time.  After the last show in New Zealand, we thought “Well we have 9 songs now”.  So we thought it was time to get back together and do this baby.  We went into the studio with some lyrics and melodies and some great musicians and everything came together.  To make it sound difficult, it wasn’t, it was just meant to be.  We work with a lot of respect and friendship as we are, as the Compadres.

David : What has been the most rewarding part of recording and now releasing the new album?

Oscar : Well… everything.  There is nothing I can say was the most rewarding part.  I guess maybe just the recording part, going to the studio and getting this amazing adrenaline.  To see this baby born now and put out for the people to listen to.  You know it’s hard to please everyone, there is no doubt about that.  But for us to enjoy it is the most important thing and if someone doesn’t like it, well too bad but this was done with honesty, sincerity, humbleness and we are back and that’s the important thing. This is like a presentation card for us.  Don’t try to get rid of us because it’s not going to be easy.

David : You and James are very respected musicians.  When recording and writing do you take into account that anything you release will be "under the microscope" in a way by fellow musicians and critics ?  Also does that help you elevate your performances when recording in a weird way ?

Oscar : You know to tell you the truth and I can’t speak for my brother but for me... no, it’s never crossed my mind.  I don’t care if we are under the microscope.  I consider myself, well not a celebrity but a guy who just wants to do music and if I am for some people, that’s their business you know ?  My personal opinion is everyone is under the microscope, whether it be your wife or critics or your friends you know ?  The way to do things for me is not to be too conscious about what the media will think.  Otherwise you will be doing music for them and not for you.  The music has to come from you for it to be honest.

David : You have dubbed your music as "Celtino", a meeting of Celtic and Latino. When you and James first started collaborating, were you instantly aware of the unique sound you were creating, that this was truly something special ?

Oscar : Personally, I don’t think so.  I didn’t think we were making a new or special brand of music.  I suppose this stuff has been done before; we didn’t do this with any intention.

David : You have entered a very special place as now being an inspiration and influence for fellow guitar players, a player that is closely watched among other players.  How do you feel about that and how do you react to the reverence that you have with fellow musicians ?

Oscar : I love it, I love it for the right reasons.  It makes me proud for the right reasons.  And it makes me happy for the right reasons.  I think as long as you are an inspiration then I am honoured. We just played in Toronto and I won't mention the guitar player but he plays with a popular band and he tells me that I am, well not a mentor so much as an inspiration for them.  I don’t know about all that shit man but I take it with all humbleness.  I am there for them and I am proud of that.  I have been playing music for a long time.  I have been around the block and I say this with no arrogance because that gets you nowhere man.  I was put here to play my guitar, and if people take something out of that, then thank God and I am a very lucky man.

David : It’s a real blessing you have isn’t it ?

Oscar : Absolutely, I can not help if I am an inspiration.  I just hope to not disappoint them.  I am a human being and a musician but I can tell you this, we should never take anything for granted what we do.  I feel lucky to have this tool to express myself from my soul; from my heart… it’s magical.

David : Having moved to Canada in 1979, at that time what were your goals and dreams as a young man coming to a new country ?  Was your playing as accepted back in those days ?

Oscar : My goal was to make a living and to understand this society.  I suffered a lot the first year and just wanted to get the hell out of here.  I wanted to go back.  My goal was to find a job.  Jobs I have never done before.  Waiting for opportunity to come and it did.  I started playing in bands - cover bands, rock n roll bands.  I can you tell you this from my own experiences... if you start with the right reasons to play music, not to  be the best, but from the heart and soul and if you are good at it… everything else will come easily if you have the talent.  If you know how to work hard, especially for someone from another culture and I’m not trying to give myself credit but I worked hard.  I worked my ass off you know, to be where I am.  

My first goal was to get a job.  Second was to learn the language and then it was to play music and I achieved this.  I started in bars and restaurants and that’s ok.  I knew some day I would be playing concerts.  Then I started folk clubs and Folk Festivals and that opened the doors for me.  And slowly the word started going around.  And now I have to keep my promise to myself, not to be the best but to be honest.

David : Nowadays, what influences or inspires you as a player and musician ?  Are there still uncharted territories that you want to explore with your music whether it be with James or as a solo artist ?

Oscar : Yes, absolutely.  No doubt about it.  The world is here for us to discover.  We don’t know nothing, nothing here man.  Musically, of course there is stuff I want to try that I haven’t yet.  What those are, I don’t know... it will come in time.  If it was meant to be, it will come.  I am a strong believer in that.  I have no boundaries in music.  I understand why they do because they have to find you in a record store but I have no boundaries.

David : What should fans expect from the new CD ? Were there any new tricks you and James managed to pull off when recording the new songs ?

Oscar : I don’t know, you can blah blah all you want but it’s up to the people. We are happy, this album represents the Compadres.  You can not compare with the last album.  The people will have the last word.  It’s a great album, very spontaneous, great production.  I can tell you as Oscar Lopez that this is a great album.  If we win Juno’s or not, or make money or not, it doesn’t matter because we made this album for the right reasons.  We did it for our hearts and souls, not for a million bucks you know ?  We are not young guys anymore.  We know how to have our ego under control.  I mean we know how to do this now.

David : You are in an enviable situation where anything you and James release as the Compadres or as solo artists will get instant radio support in Alberta via CKUA.  On your travels across Canada and the world are there still outlets for your music to be heard on radio ?  And do you still get a buzz hearing your music on the radio ?

Oscar : Oh yes, no doubt about that.  We are very blessed to have CKUA and CBC.  They play my music in California and in the States they have smooth jazz stations that play my stuff.  And I have a record label in Milwaukee called Narada and they help.  Sometimes you have to push it, no doubt about that around the world.  So yes they play our music around the world but this is a business where you have to be persistent, keep your face out there.  Business wise James and I have a good thing going.  We know our place and we know what we are doing.  It takes a team to make things work.  We know our music is not mainstream.  We are conscious of this but we do get played and that’s a cool thing.

David : Are there any songs on this new album that you are particularly proud of ?

Oscar : I am proud of all the songs but there is one song that I really do love and it gives me goose bumps and that is  “Buddy Where You Been?” and also “Storm".  And for me, I am proud of those 2 songs.  These songs touch something inside; the lyrics move me and grab my heart.  Don’t ask me why, they just do.

David : You have a cross Canada tour coming up, will touring this new album take up most of 2008 or will we see a solo album from you in the near future ?

Oscar : For Compadres, we have plans I can’t tell you yet.  I am putting my own thing off right.  And I told James this... that the Compadres are getting my priority.  Right now, time for Compadres.  2008 is a long time away and I take things one day at a time.  I know you have to make plans and block out time.  In 2008, I know we are going to Ontario and maybe back to Australia and New Zealand… many other places and many other people to meet.  So much to do, so little time.  My solo thing will come out when it comes out.  I know it’s been a couple years since my last solo album.  I am working on it gently but it will come when it does.

David : Thank you so much for doing this Oscar, we are all looking forward to the new album and we will see you when you come to Edmonton.

Oscar : Thank you so much.  And I can speak for my Compadres brother James, that we thank you for this opportunity and we will not disappoint.

Compadres

Calgary : 932 17 Ave. S.W.     Edmonton : 10355 Whyte Ave.