A Q&A With Christian Lopez

Upcoming singer-songwriter Christian Lopez just released his debut full length album called Onward, and is going to be one of the contest judges for The Big Hook presented by Fiverr.

How did you first get started and interested in music?

Well, it was my mom, she [introduced me] to music when I was a little kid. I started piano at five. I went to a dude ranch in South Dakota when I was [nine] years old, and they played old Western songs and they rocked so hard. It was a family band – it was vocal, bass, an acoustic, and a couple of singers. It blew me away, and that’s when I decided to pick up the guitar, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

What’s your songwriting process like?

I usually sit down and start with just the guitar and some progressions that I like, whatever comes to me. Then from there I try to find a melody. I think that’s how it usually all starts: the guitar, the melody, and then the lyrics sort of come after I have those two things down. They’re kind of the final thing for me, [from] the feeling I get from the progression and the melody I have, what comes to me emotionally. The lyrics are last. That’s how I’d say it all comes together.

What was it like putting together and recording your first full length album?

It was great. It was awesome to work with such an amazing producer [Dave Cobb] that I’ve been a fan of for a long time. So working with him was great, and being able to take those songs places I had no idea they were able to go, with such amazing musicians in the room, and such great ideas coming from all around – it was amazing. Being able to work in such a natural way with Dave Cobb, recording everything live and the focus being on what is there, what is in the room, what [can we do] without a lot of touch-up, I thought was an amazing experience to do with such amazing musicians and a producer.

What was your favorite song to write on Onward?

I’d probably say the song “Seven Years.” It’s one of the more intimate songs, but I loved being able to play that one with an unbelievable dobro player Ben Kitterman who was able to sit in on that track when we recorded it. It’s a song that came to me very naturally, and it was one of those songs when we ended up recording it we just all went in, no headphones, just sat around in a triangle, and played it. It just came together so naturally and so beautifully, I’m proud of that song.

How does Nashville play a role in your music and your career?

That’s where all the pros are. As far as career goes, my team are all based in Nashville. All the greatest musicians I’ve ever heard in my life are all in Nashville, so it’s a place where all the pros seem to be – all the serious people who are serious about their careers and about music seem to all be down there working towards similar goals. There are really ambitious folks down there. I love it. Definitely a place for the pros.

How did growing up in West Virginia influence your music?

To be honest, I was raised in the northern-eastern section of the state, which isn’t really the heart of West Virginia when people think of West Virginia, as far as Appalachia and country music go. I had a lot of the instrumentation influence having a banjo player Chelsea who lives down the street from me and played with me – kind of the more acoustic instruments. But I [thought I was] pretty independent of what the local sound was, and branched out on my own. But I think West Virginia did play a role in the players I was able to play with and their kind of influence on the music that I write, specifically Chelsea on banjo.

When judging this contest you’re doing with Fiverr – looking for the “Big Hook” – what advice do you have for the contest entrants?

I would say don’t do anything that feels unnatural to you. Do something that comes out [easily]. Write something that you would want to listen to, something that you would be attracted to, a hook that would pull you in. Do something that comes the most natural to you, and usually that will come across to the listener – hopefully that will come across to whoever is listening.

What do you think makes a hook stand out?

I think originality of course is the number one thing. Something personally I like [is] a big range, vocally, melodically. A big range in the hook I think always makes it stand out to me. I like when people are confident, do something strong, do something outstanding. Push yourself to the limits of what you can do. If you have a great voice, show it off. If you’re a great player, show it off. You only have thirty seconds to show off your hook, so I think make it original, make it big, and be yourself.

Christian Lopez will be one of the five judges for The Big Hook contest presented by Fiverr. Prizes include co-writing sessions, industry meetings, and studio time. Click the picture above to enter the contest!