There are few better ways to start the day than to have a chat with Calgary musician Oscar Lopez, especially following the cold kickoff to September Cochrane has experienced.
“The weather is hot, cold – it doesn’t matter. When I wake up I thank destiny, God, and life that I am here one more day,” said Lopez on a chilly early morning as he discussed the recent snowfall.
The Bragg Creek Performing Arts also believes it is a good idea to start things off with Lopez – he will be kicking off their 34th season with his fusion of Latin, jazz, blues and pop.
Lopez has won multiple Juno Awards and has been called a leader among world-class guitarists.
“There are so many negative things in the world that it is easy to get down with stress, anxiety, panic and all of that stuff,” Lopez continued. “They are there, but why are we going to let them win? We have to fight and be happy.”
Lopez is originally from Chile and came to Canada in 1979; he even remembered the exact date — Oct. 14. He eventually made his way to Calgary in 1981, or as Lopez lovingly refers to it, “Cowtown.”
It is hard to believe when speaking with Lopez, but he has had to fight off some negativity in the past, at one point not even wanting to record music anymore.
“I am blessed and I have tremendous gratitude for what I do. I took it for granted at one point and I touched the gates of inferno,” he said.
Although he did not go into detail, he said his family and friends supported him and brought him back.
“I had lost inspiration. I lost the mojo,” said Lopez.
Lopez said people around him encouraged him to try recording at least one song. He said he began jamming at a studio in Penticton, B.C., at first working on recording at that one song – but he ended up recording 14 tracks that found their way on his upcoming album, Apasionado.
Lopez said he was amazed how things can turn out when you are not putting too much pressure on yourself.
“Sometimes we push it too hard and we are hard on ourselves. All of this stress in society and pressure affects us,” he explained. “When something is meant to be, you just follow the river, you follow the current and you will be safe.”
This is the same attitude Lopez took when asked about the release date, which he believed will be sometime in October. He did know that it would be sometime very soon.
“Good food takes time to cook. For me, when the album is out, the album is out and that’s how I know,” said Lopez with a laugh.
Lopez described himself as a straight shooter, and he makes no qualms about that.
“That is who I am and that is my philosophy in life since I was little,” he added. “I have a big mouth, but a big heart too.”
One thing Lopez does know for sure is that he believes that this is his best album yet. He described his composing process as being about passion and simplicity, because for Lopez, simplicity is power.
“I compose music when it is about passion, when it is about intensity and the tiger coming out. I follow my instinct and I follow my heart,” he said. “It is about emotions and when you close your eyes, my music will take you wherever you want to go.”
For now, Lopez is still happy living in Calgary with his family and is still extremely passionate about making and performing music.
“What I promise is we’re going to have a great time, we’re going to play like a million bucks,” said Lopez of him and his fellow musicians who will be joining on stage for the upcoming show in Bragg Creek. He said fans could look forward to some songs off of his new album.
“I may be 61, but I’m still looking good,” added Lopez with his signature infectious laugh.
You can catch Lopez opening the season for the Bragg Creek Performing Arts Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Bragg Creek Community Centre. For tickets or more information visit braggcreekperformingarts.com.
For more information on Oscar Lopez visit oscarlopez.com.
