Rich Hopkins & the Luminarios

311 E Congress St,Tucson AZ 85701

07 September, 2021

Description

Rich Hopkins & the Luminarios ALL AGES Rich Hopkins & the Luminarios perform with support from Mark Febbo and Oscar Fuentes for this evening's Tuesday Night Live! Rich Hopkins & the Luminarioswith Mark Febbo, Oscar FuentesHotel Congress Plaza Tuesday, September 7 Doors at 7pm • $5 Rich Hopkins is in a heroic struggle against mediocrity and complacency. A prolific writer, singer, guitarist, producer and humanitarian, Hopkins is concerned for the well-being of his fellow man and wonders about the events that have shaped us as a nation and a race. Letting him into your life with his music and stories on “Tombstone,” just might help you make sense of it all in some small way. Hopkins, who has been a part of the American music scene since 1985, is, amazingly, still an undiscovered talent to some. Founding the Tucson, Ariz. based Sidewinders(RCA 1989-91)/ Sand Rubies (Polygram 1993), Hopkins toured the U.S. and celebrated success with college/indie rock classics "Witchdoctor" and "We Don't Do That Anymore" (both went to #5 on the CMJ charts). In 1991, Hopkins formed Rich Hopkins and The Luminarios as a side project; it soon became his full time band when the Sand Rubies stopped touring. He has consistently cranked out new records (26 in all) and tours yearly in Germany/Europe (25 tours) where, in 1996, he was one of the first artists signed to Germany's Blue Rose Records. A new member of the Tucson Musicians Museum (Class of 2013), Hopkins enters music history as the quintessential desert rocker, a constant in the bedrock of alternative music. Showcasing an ability to create unmistakable guitar tones that drive a hallmark sound, as the years pass, Hopkins continues to reinvent and motivate himself for yet another album and tour as evidenced on “Tombstone,” the latest release from Rich Hopkins & The Luminarios. Hopkins’ distinct personality and keen observations of the world have been influenced by the changing times and a desire to avoid living in the past. For, as a lyric in the title track says, “See, me and my brothers don’t believe in hindsight.” "At the end of the day, it’s all about change and freedom,” Hopkins explains. “It’s about learning from the past, letting go, being present, trying new things and enjoying the flow of life.” Hopkins, who is no stranger to change, relocated when a long-distance relationship with Lisa Novak (a three-time award- winning singer/songwriter from Houston) begged for more. From Tucson to Texas, Hopkins and Novak were paired musically and romantically; recently married, she has been instrumental in his efforts lending her talents as songwriter and backing vocalist to his last four albums, one of which is a duet album featuring their original music. “I lived a reckless life in the past and was a slave to my senses,” Hopkins stated, acknowledging that life is no longer about good times in the same way they were when he first started in music. “I’ve been through those stages and now here I am. My life with Lisa is centered and balanced; we are living life and making music that we love.” “Tombstone,” which is in this collection of music they love, differs from Hopkins’ previous works in its recording and production by Lars Goransson, a Swedish-born engineer from Austin’s Sounds Outrageous. Prominently featuring Hopkins and Novak, the record further boasts the talents of Austin-based guitarist virtuoso/songwriter Jon Sanchez (Alejandro Escovedo, Bob Schneider), bassist George Reiff (Joe Walsh), and George Duron on drums. “This album is a collective effort. It comes from the heart of each member of this line-up and it shows,” Hopkins said. “We are all guitar players, that is what we love to do. But more than that, we all have the tools to write timeless material. A lot of work goes into that process and we spent a lot of time on each of these songs.” As the album unfolds, catchy pop hooks and epic rock harmonies laced with Hopkins’ "wall of guitar" trademark are unveiled in a ceremony of searing sound. Complete with social commentary and a defined style, once described by Magnet as a “blend of power pop, folk rock and Tom Petty/Neil Young classicism,” listeners are reminded of the individuality of a Rich Hopkins & The Luminarios record upon first hearing “Tombstone.” The lead track, "Don't Worry,” is a reassuring, foot-stomping song that explores all the possible reasons for anxiety while "Everything," pure pop at its finest, stays in your head for days as you sing, "You've got everything you wanted, everything you need, what if everything doesn't turn out perfectly?" Complete with a cinematic western themed video, "Tombstone” is outlaw Ike Clanton’s drunken tale of the notorious gunfight. Set to memorable, fuzzed out guitar hooks, in this musical retelling, Hopkins and Sanchez go out in a blaze of glory in a duel to the end. Just as in his music, Hopkins’ personal life is filled with the wonder and intellect illustrated in his lyrics. Committed to giving back, he volunteers and is a proud participant in the Big Brothers & Big Sisters program. In addition, he pursues knowledge by learning about southwestern history, Native Americans in the US, and the plight of man as a whole. A man with many stories and experiences to share, and even more questions to ask on “Tombstone,” or a future endeavor, perhaps Hopkins’ final statement about the overall message of “Tombstone” sums it up perfectly? “I am not who you think I am! Change is good! Sit back and enjoy the musical journey we have created.” Go ahead, take a listen... Then hit repeat!