Five Questions With Kevin Lopez

Kevin Lopez, an LA-based percussionist, has an eclectic range on the drum kit, seamlessly transitioning from Latin rhythms to punk rock, depending on his mood and the musicianship of his bandmates. He’s an expert in teaching grooves, improvisation, reading, and more, and has recorded two albums with the Mark Cross Band, with which he just finished a nationwide tour. Kevin also teaches lessons on Pro Tools operation, mixing, and various audio engineering topics. We caught up with Kevin to start the new year off right with this week’s “Five Questions.”

Lessonface: How did you first get introduced to music in general and in particular to drums, and what kind of music were you listening to at the time/growing up?

Kevin Lopez: I played piano for a little while when I was young but decided that it just wasn't for me. I didn't think much of it until I was introduced to tuned percussion (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, bells, etc.). In retrospect, I'm thankful to have had that training on piano because it gave me a great advantage in terms of finding my way around those instruments. Not too many people know this, but I was actually inspired to start playing drums by the band Green Day. As funny as it sounds, I started off as a punk rocker. It just seemed like the coolest thing ever to me. I'd watch Green Day's live concerts over and over again just learning all of Tre Cool's licks. I'd even learn full songs note by note! I find that when I'm truly inspired by something (be it a musical idea, genre/style, what have you), I tend to get very meticulous in that I really try to internalize its inherent feel so that it sounds authentic when I try to replicate it. I still follow that same philosophy today. I'll basically have phases where I really study a musician, artist, or genre of music intensely. (At the moment, I'm in a soul/R&B phase.)

Needless to say, inspiration really has a profound effect on me. From then on, I started studying some great legends of drumming such as Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, and Vinnie Colaiuta. I was just so floored by their command of the instrument. I still constantly study their playing because they are all treasure troves of rhythmic vocabulary.

Lf: Did you take drum lessons or have particularly influential mentors early on, or later as you progressed?

KL: When I first started playing, I was largely self-taught. Later on, I started studying with some truly influential mentors. I've had the great fortune to study with Al Velasquez (Benise), Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band), Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Santana), and many more luminaries in the industry. Having such great teachers really broadened my horizons. I really consider myself to be an eternal student. (And believe it or not, all the great mentors I've studied with consider themselves to be eternal students as well!) There's always something new you can learn; something you can practice that you haven't quite committed to muscle memory. Whenever I have a chance to, I also like to attend local masterclasses and clinics. I can always glean something new from going to these events. (It's also a great networking opportunity!) With all the resources that are available to us, (books, YouTube, etc.) there's always something new to learn.

Lf: What got you interested in teaching online and through LessonFace? How long have you been doing online lessons?

KL: I think it's good to take advantage of the technology that's available to us. The internet is a great way to connect with people that you otherwise would not be able to meet under regular circumstances. I'm all about networking and connecting with people across the globe. I've learned that the music industry is centered on who you know and who knows you. With that in mind, teaching through an online medium is a great convenience to the teacher and the student. Having this direct line of communication allows teachers to make lessons interactive while still being able to provide helpful critique. As such, I'm really excited to take part in this innovative way of teaching and to share information with future students. 2013 will be my first year teaching online lessons.

Lf: If you had to recommend one video or performance for prospective students to check out in order to understand you and your style, what would it be?

KL: I'd encourage prospective students to check out my 2nd "Groove Reel" on my teacher page. I really like to keep things simple and support the music. This leaves space for the other musicians to play their respective parts and express themselves. I find that when things are really grooving in the band, the audience picks up on that and they groove along with you. It's always so awesome to see people dancing and enjoying the music.

Lf: Can you tell us a bit about what's going on with any musical/educational projects you're working on, and any latest news about them?

KL: 2013 is certainly going to be an exciting year for me. I have a lot of great musical projects lined up and I'm really thrilled to start working with some new Los Angeles-based artists/musicians that I met the year previous. I'm also quite excited to start teaching on LessonFace! All in all, 2013 is going to bring some awesome new opportunities and I simply can't wait!

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