Nada Armada is the professional name of composer and multi-instrumentalist, Dan Lopez. For the past two decades the genre-fluid producer has been creating wildly creative instrumental music. With a sound that flows freely between Rock and Electronic styles and subgenres, he has carved his own niche in modern music.
“The Distance Among Us” is the title track and first single from the new Nada Armada album, released worldwide to all major streaming services on July 20, 2021. For the new record, Lopez has joined forces with New York City modern Rock artist Makoor (aka Aram Chekijian). The album mixes elements of Rock, Electronic and World Music into a completely unique and infinitely listenable groove.
The song “The Distance Among Us” opens on an ambient bed of synths and reverse-recorded guitar. Soon a mellow mid tempo beat drops and the song rolls into a cool Trip-hop vibe. Keys, guitars and swirling synth arpeggios create a rich tapestry of sound as a mix of organic and electronic percussion rolls on a meditative yet uplifting groove.
Check out “The Distance Among Us” below. You can also hear the song on the Deep Indie Chill playlist, or listen on your favorite streaming service. We had the chance to chat with Nada Armada about the new record. Check out his answers to our 8 questions. And follow the links at the end of this artist to connect with the artist. Get on his socials and get in the loop on all of the current and future projects from these talented musicians.
8 Questions with Nada Armada
Where are you from?
Nada Armada is based in Portland Oregon USA
How long have you been making music?
Lopez began his music making in the late 1990s, while playing guitar and bass in a grunge band. But, when he first heard the trip hop tracks out of Bristol UK from Massive Attack, Tricky and others, Lopez immediately gravitated to electronic music, and production. The success of trip hop and electronic music genres that followed has helped continue Lopez’s production and soundscapes.
Who are the musicians involved in your project?
NADA ARMADA has been crafting electronic rock soundscapes since 1999. It’s founding member and musician/producer Dan Lopez consistently thinks outside the box and delivers an unparalleled mashup of rock, synths, and strings while innovating modern music genres and the larger landscape. The project is now joined by Aram Chekijian from NYC based, Makoor, who Infuses modern rock timbres with complex textures and diverse rhythms.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
NADA ARMADA’s musical style draws influence from Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, Muse, Massive Attack, Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, and Sigur Ros. With its latest release “The Distance Among Us”, NADA ARMADA is at its most inventive, most confident, and most impressive.”
What is your greatest non-musical influence?
Both Chekijian and Lopez are well travelled and Lopez says that international travel through the years has really helped shape their musical canvas. Most recently the pandemic’s impact on social dynamics across the globe, and the degradation of democracy in favor of autocratic tendencies have pushed the duo to include commentary in their song titles and shifting composition landscapes.
What inspired you to create this project?
Lopez spent several years on a break from production, but the COVID-19 pandemic led him to discuss ideas of a project with Chekijian and they quickly turned out a full length LP.
What are your plans for the future (musically)?
Lopez and Chekijian are planning additional releases, and potentially live performances as COVID restrictions on venues and travel allow.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
Chekijian and Lopez aim to also incorporate more focus on conservationism and political justice as their main causes they are passionate about in their live shows and involvement with international campaigns.