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Christian Lopez (musician)

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Christian Lopez
Background information
Born (1995-08-01) August 1, 1995 (age 29)
OriginMartinsburg, West Virginia
GenresFolk rock, Americana
Instrumentsguitar, piano, harmonica, vocals, bass
Years active2014–present
LabelsBlaster Records
Websitewww.christianlopezmusic.com

Christian Lopez (born August 1, 1995) is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Martinsburg, West Virginia. He was also the front man and guitarist of the Christian Lopez Band.[1] Beyond Lopez, band members as of 2023 include Dan Gallagher on bass, and Joey Antico on drums.[2]

Lopez has released four albums[3] and an EP in folk rock and Americana style.[4] Americana Music Show wrote that Lopez's lyrics and delivery have "the earnestness and wide-open view of the world that we haven't seen since the early days of Paul Simon."[5] The band tours frequently in the United States, and in 2015 Rolling Stone named Lopez "best newcomer" at the Americana Music Festival & Conference, with the article stating that he "packed so much kinetic energy into his set, and sliced so many strings, that he had to finish on a borrowed guitar."[6]

Married actress Skyler Shaye on 10/10/22 in Santa Barbara, CA.

Career

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Early life and Pilot EP (1995–2014)

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Lopez was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he was also raised.[7] He started playing music at an early age, learning the piano at age 5 and guitar at age 9. He began songwriting in his early teenage years, and was touring before the age of 16.[2]

In 2013, Lopez signed a management agreement with Rock Ridge Music,[8] and in early 2014 he signed a record deal with Blaster Records.[2] Shortly thereafter, he recorded his first release, the five song EP Pilot, which was released in October 2014. Dave Cobb produced the release.[9]

In 2014, Lopez was selected as one of the winners of the Belk Modern Musician Showcase talent search and invited to join Belk's 2014 "Modern Southern Music" tour.[10] They performed at numerous concerts including shows by Zac Brown Band, Dave Matthews Band, on the Vans Warped Tour,[11] Miranda Lambert, Brothers Osborne, and Marty Stuart.[12]

Onward and touring (2015)

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In May 2015, Lopez released his first full-length album Onward. Like his previous EP, it was produced by Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell,[13] Chris Stapleton[3]). Popmatters streamed the album on May 12, 2015.[14]

From Onward, the track "Will I See You Again" received over 1 million Spotify streams,[2] and the song "Leaving It Out" remained in the CMT Pure Country "12 Pack Countdown" for a number of consecutive weeks.[15] Rolling Stone called the album "a plucky and occasionally subdued showcase of his Appalachia roots."[6]

In 2015, Lopez participated in West Virginia's "Real" tourism campaign and was featured in a promotional video entitled "Real WV." "Will I See You Again" was used in a second spot entitled "Real Morgantown." Additionally, he has been invited to perform at 2015's Music Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony as well as the band's inaugural appearance at Mountain Stage.[16]

Red Arrow (2017)

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On September 22, 2017, Lopez released his second album entitled, Red Arrow, this time using producer Marshall Altman, known for his work with Marc Broussard and Frankie Ballard. Guests include Vince Gill's guitar on "Still on Its Feet," and The Milk Carton Kids Kenneth Pattengale's guitar and vocals on "Caramel." Rolling Stone said that Red Arrow "flies straight through multiple eras of rock, pop and country. Organic sounds are favored over electronics, while Lopez's versatile guitar playing provides a millennial take on everything from Eighties rock to timeless folk. Sly, generation-bridging vocals are the common thread, and as interest in Americana rises, Lopez could connect the dots for many young listeners."[7]

The music magazine also earlier named Lopez "One of the 10 New Country Artists You Need To Know".[3]

Among the 2017 tour dates, and just before the release of Red Arrow in September 2017, Lopez joined 300 acts on the bill of AmericanaFest in Nashville,[17] once again receiving a "Best Things We Saw" title from Rolling Stone Country.[18]

The Other Side (2021)

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In 2021, he released his third album, The Other Side, produced by Robert Adam Stevenson, with 12 tracks.[19]  Singles from the album include, “Sip Of Mine” [20] and "Who You Really Are"[21]

Magdalena (2023)

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On June 9, 2023, he released his fourth album, Magdalena. Singles from the album include, “Girl & A Gun" and "Harpers Ferry".[22] Lopez recorded Magdalena isolated in the small New Mexican town of Magdalena, just west of Socorro, NM.[23] With producer, Robert Adam Stevenson again at the helm, Lopez recorded all 9 songs in his adobe casita, sharing a co-production credit.[24] Magdalena received critical acclaim and even earned Lopez his debut at The Grand Ole Opry. [25]

Discography

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Year Title Format Record Label
October 14, 2014 Pilot CD, digital download Blaster Records
May 19, 2015 Onward CD, digital download Blaster Records
September 22, 2017 Red Arrow CD, digital download Blaster Records
October 8, 2021 The Other Side CD, digital download Blaster Records
June 9, 2023 Magdalena CD, digital download Firebird Music
January 26, 2024 I'm Not Alone digital download Firebird Music

References

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  1. ^ Deutsch, Joni (June 17, 2016). "'Onward' and Upward with Martinsburg's Christian Lopez". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Lavender, Dave (September 7, 2017). "Martinsburg native Nashville recording artist Christian Lopez returning to Mountain Stage". Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Parton, Chris (July 11, 2017). "10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: July 2017". Rolling Stone 2. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  4. ^ Parton, Chris (October 21, 2014). "Christian Lopez Seeks Adventure in "Will I See You Again"". CMT Edge. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  5. ^ Powers, Calvin (May 20, 2015). "Christian Lopez Band – Onward". Americana Music Show. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Moss, Marissa R. (September 21, 2015). "22 Best Things We Saw at Americana Music Fest 2015". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Parton, Chris (September 19, 2017). "Christian Lopez on Embracing the 'Young and Stupid' on New 'Red Arrow'". Rolling Stone 3. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  8. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (March 3, 2015). "Management Company Rock Ridge Music Adds To Artist Roster". musicrow.com. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  9. ^ Adrian, Peer. "Onwards and Upwards: Christian Lopez". digitaljournal.com. digital journal. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  10. ^ "Things to do this weekend in NYC Mar 30 – Apr 6". City Guide NY. March 30, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "Christian Lopez Band". Music City Roots Radio. November 22, 2017. Archived from the original on May 30, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  12. ^ St. Jean, Shawn (November 11, 2017). "Reaching New Heights: An Interview with Christian Lopez". The Country Scene. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  13. ^ Horowitz, Hal (May 19, 2015). "Christian Lopez Band: Onward". American Songwriter. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  14. ^ Ezell, Brice (May 12, 2015). "Christian Lopez Band – 'Onward' (album stream) (Premiere)". Popmatters. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  15. ^ Peel, Adrian (October 12, 2015). "Onwards and upwards: Christian Lopez of the Christian Lopez Band". Digital Journal. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  16. ^ "NRBQ, Eliza Gilkyson, Nels Cline & Julian Lage, Aaron Parnell Brown, and the Christian Lopez Band on Mountain Stage". mountainstage.org. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  17. ^ Casey, Jim (August 1, 2017). "AmericanaFest Announces Final Round of Performers, Including Lee Ann Womack, Reckless Kelly, Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer, Sam Outlaw & More AmericanaFest Announces Final Round of Performers, Including Lee Ann Womack, Reckless Kelly, Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer, Sam Outlaw & More". Nash Country Daily. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  18. ^ Hudak, Joseph. "Best Things We Saw: AmericanaFest". Rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  19. ^ Major, Michael. "Christian Lopez Shares New Single 'Braver' Off of New Album". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  20. ^ Reuter, Annie (February 12, 2020). "Christian Lopez Embraces the Moment in Picturesque 'Sip of Mine' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  21. ^ Parton, Chris. "Christian Predicts the Coronavirus future in "Who You Really Are"". Soundslikenashville.com. Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  22. ^ Lopez, Christian Lopez. "Harpers Ferry". Rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  23. ^ Cook, Cathy. "New Americana album named for Magdalena mountains". dchieftain.com. El Defensor Chieftain. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  24. ^ Lopez, Christian. "Christian Lopez digs in on Magdalena". Forbes.com. Forbes. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  25. ^ Lopez, Christian. "Christian Lopez Opry Debut". opry.com. Grand Ole Opry. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
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