L.A.-Based Singer/Songwriter GABE LOPEZ Talks Up Beats, Boys and New Single 'Hot Pink'
Let me introduce you to L.A.-based singer and songwriter Gabe Lopez. Not in sometime have I come across a singer who's voice I find so addictive. His music is different from what you guys are used to me talking about - as opposed to vocal diva club anthems, Gabe is very much a grounded rocker. (Believe it or not, even Muzo likes a break from the club music every now and then.)
Think John Mayer or Sheryl Crow or (dare I go this far back) Jude Cole, one of my all-time favorite vocalists. Regardless of if you like that style of pop-rock music, one listen to Gabe, and you will want more. Luckily for us, he's got a bunch of tracks out and is gearing up to release his next studio album (date still TBA).
Plus, Gabe was nice enough to share with us the unreleased first single 'Hot Pink' off his forthcoming album, which isn't anywhere yet (not even on his MySpace page! lol). So give it a listen below - and while you do that, get up close and personal with Gabe:
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Gabe: Hey, thanks! Yeah, "This Is About You" was, as you can tell, all about you, Muzo, YOU! C'est vous, Vous, VOUS! I hope you don't mind me giving your fans the dish. The scoop. The lovin' spoonful. Since the release, most of the songs on the album have been licensed to TV or movies. Pretty cool stuff. And now my new album is almost done and the first single is hitting clubs. It's a dance-rock song called "Hot Pink." It's tasty!
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Muzo: You have also worked with 'Idol' alum Jim Verraros as well. I love that guy. He's obviously cool as hell, but he also has a killer voice and has a very clear idea of how he likes things to be - how was it working with him? Did you have to bitch-slap him a lot?
Gabe: It was fun helping Jim to find his sound. He has that smoky voice, so I had him listen to a lot of George Michael for inspiration. Jim and I have similar tastes in pop music that mesh well together, so that makes for great collaborations. Also, Jim introduced me to the amazing Angela Peel (American Idol Season 1). She co-wrote four songs with me for Jim's debut album. Her voice is so incredible! Check out her album on iTunes!
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Muzo: Did you sorta kinda wanna get him naked and see what happens?
Gabe: HA! I think I've seen enough from the "Eating Out" movies. Those movies are pretty hilarious, too. Fun stuff.
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Muzo: I have to gush here for a bit...when I listen to your music, I find it addictive. There is something about your voice and the music that I can just listen to for hours. What artists inspire you when creating the songs?
Gabe: Aw, thanks Muzo. That means a lot to me, man. The Beatles are a huge inspiration. I'm also a huge fan of Sheryl Crow, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Tori Amos, Alanis, George Michael, Elton... I could go on. Haha.
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Gabe: I remember when I was almost three singing in front of the Christmas tree using an egg beater as a microphone. I took requests from my family, but of course I only knew a few Christmas songs at the time. "I don't know that one, but I know THIS one... 'Siiiiilent niiiiiight, holllllly niiiiiight." True story.
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Muzo: Out of all your tracks, what is the most likely to become a big club hit? Any plans for remixes?
Gabe: "Red Queen" off of the first album has done well in clubs. DJ Casey Alva did a great remix of it. "Make Me A Star" also got some club play. I'm excited that the new single "Hot Pink" has gotten picked up by so many clubs here in LA and in NYC, London and Paris. Might do a remix, too. The second single will hit clubs next followed by the new album.
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Muzo: And you have a bunch of projects in the works - currently working on the Varsity Fanclub album, Ms. Triniti album, new albums by Billy Dortch, Jordan Shannon and of course Jim's next effort as well. How do you find time for it all?
Gabe: COFFEE! That and just a great passion to do music. It's a total labor of love.
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Muzo: Out of all these projects, what can we expect? (I know, a simple question for a complex answer, but see if you can give the fans here a hint of what to expect!)
Gabe: The VFC album is some great urban pop. I've been working with Drew from VFC and Brent Paschke (from Pharrell's N.E.R.D. camp) on some really cool songs for them. Thomas Fiss from VFC and Michaelangelo are also amazing writers and musicians. Ms. Triniti's new album is almost done. She has her own unique style of RaggaHop. She's huge in Japan!
Billy Dortch has a lot of soul. His album is off to a great start. Jordan Shannon's album is fun for the dancefloor. Love it. Writing with Casey Galbraith for The East-West Boys. Jim's new album shows his growth. Great songs. I'm really proud of the songs I wrote and produced for it. Angela Peel did some writing on this one, too.
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Gabe: Sheryl Crow's second album, The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper...," Alanis' "Jagged Little Pill," "The Immaculate Collection," Tori's "Little Earthquakes," Led Zep, MJ's "Thriller." U2, The Beach Boys, Cyndi's "13 Sins...," Aretha, Stevie Wonder's "Talking Book," Fleetwood Mac, Heart, The Sundays, Gershwin, Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Miles Davis, Ella, Eminem, Missy... oh, man. Everything.
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Muzo: And now, Gabe...this is a Muzo interview...so you knew this was coming. Lets talk a little bit more about you
Gabe: Why, whatever do you mean? (shrugs shoulders and smirks)
Muzo: Describe your ideal date night?
Gabe: A concert followed by the beach.
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Gabe: Is his girlfriend with him?
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Muzo: Type of guy you typically go for?
Gabe: Ones with girlfriends.
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Muzo: Complete the sentence: 'In bed, the guy should...'
Gabe: "Not steal the covers from his girlfriend or the other parties involved. A boy could catch a cold that way."
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(Photo: Shot of Gabe to the left comes from famed L.A. photog Adam Bouska's 'No H8' campaign.)
Muzo: Top or bottom?
Gabe: Oh, gee - look at the time.
Maybe I'll tell the fans who sign up on the mailing list from this interview.*****
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Gabe: I hope to still be releasing music and producing and writing for other artists. And spending lots of time at the beach.
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Muzo: What's next up for Gabe?
Gabe: Listen for the new single "Hot Pink" and check out the new album when it drops! Visit me at gabelopez.com or my MySpace page for updates! Rock on, rock out.
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Posted by MUZOPHILE at 4/10/2009 2:15 PM 
Categories: 0ALL LISTINGS,0News,Jim Verraros,0Q and As,Gabe Lopez,Q and As
Tags: Hot Pink Sheryl Crow Stevie Wonder Madonna First Listen George Michael Miles Davis Pharrell Billy Dortch Gershwin Jim Verraros Gabe Lopez Tori Amos Casey Galbraith Brent Paschk Fleetwood Mac Heart Eminem Miss Elliot Ms. Triniti Angela Peel Pavarotti Jordan Shannon The Sundays Michael Jackson Maria Callas Aretha Elton JOhn John Mayer Jude Cole DJ Casey Alva Cyndi Lauper Alanis Morissette Thomas Fiss Ella Fitzgerald
Categories: 0ALL LISTINGS,0News,Jim Verraros,0Q and As,Gabe Lopez,Q and As
Tags: Hot Pink Sheryl Crow Stevie Wonder Madonna First Listen George Michael Miles Davis Pharrell Billy Dortch Gershwin Jim Verraros Gabe Lopez Tori Amos Casey Galbraith Brent Paschk Fleetwood Mac Heart Eminem Miss Elliot Ms. Triniti Angela Peel Pavarotti Jordan Shannon The Sundays Michael Jackson Maria Callas Aretha Elton JOhn John Mayer Jude Cole DJ Casey Alva Cyndi Lauper Alanis Morissette Thomas Fiss Ella Fitzgerald
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