A kindergarten teacher at the Tucson Waldorf School by day, Tucson native Leila Lopez is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who regularly performs around town. She's currently recording material for her third album. In the meantime, you can catch her playing a set of covers by a band far removed from the folk-rock for which she is known as part of The Great Cover-Up, on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Rialto Theatre.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
Lollapalooza 1996. It was my grungy teenage dream come true to see Rancid, the Ramones and Devo all in one concert.
What are you listening to these days?
Midlake, The Trials of Van Occupanther; Bonobo, Black Sands; Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest; Local Natives, Gorilla Manor.
What was the first album you owned?
The Jackson 5's Anthology. I hid the cassette behind a crate of records in a tiny music store that used to be on Fourth Avenue so that I could come back a week later and buy it with my tooth-fairy money.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
New rap. T-Pain's song "Buy You a Drank," to be specific. You can't buy someone a drink in the past tense.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Led Zeppelin. Bonzo's intuition on the drums has had a huge impact on how I have learned and adapted to different styles of playing.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
It's not exactly guilty, but potentially tease-worthy: Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and any '90s-era grunge rock.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
The Monkees' theme song on repeat.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Playing music with my family and friends around this town has changed my life. ... Learning, collaborating and constantly being inspired by the people you love is totally mind-blowing. I feel pretty darn lucky.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Joni Mitchell, Blue.
