Since their emergence in 2015, the Australian duo opal Ocean has been carving out a unique niche in the acoustic guitar scene.
With a growing online presence fueled by captivating busking videos, they have also captivated audiences with electrifying performances, including a standout appearance at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After winning over fans during their debut UK tour earlier this year, Alex Champ and Nadav Tabak are keeping the momentum alive with their latest release, Temple Of The Stars.
Crafted in their Melbourne home studio, the album showcases a vibrant fusion of traditional and modern guitar techniques, seamlessly blending flamenco virtuosity with contemporary influences. Their musical journey is inspired by legendary guitarists like Al Di Meola and Paco de Lucía, alongside a diverse array of other artists.
Embracing Diverse Influences
Opal Ocean draws inspiration from a variety of musical styles,including the dynamic Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela,as well as heavier progressive bands like Dream Theater and opeth.
Nadav shares, “We admire how Rodrigo y Gabriela merge different styles, incorporating elements of rumba flamenca and rasgueado strumming with rock and metal influences. We aim to blend our own inspirations, from Gojira to Daft Punk, using percussive guitar techniques to create a rhythmic backbone. Essentially,we can construct a full rhythm section using just the guitar.”
“The way you strike the guitar can produce kick, snare, and even hi-hat sounds. Plus, using nylon-string guitars adds a natural distortion to the lower strings when played with intensity, enhancing the overall sound and reflecting our musical passions.”
Signature Sound with Godin Guitars
Recently, Alex and Nadav partnered with Godin Guitars, leading to the creation of their signature models, Opalburst and Oceanburst, equipped with a custom-voiced LR Baggs system.
Nadav explains, “These guitars are ideal for touring-lightweight, durable, and they sound fantastic. One of the biggest advantages is the bolt-on neck design, which allows us to easily disassemble the guitar for safe travel in a Mono case, along with our Quad Cortex, all in the cabin.This makes traveling substantially easier. We also prefer D’Addario strings for their durability and excellent tone on the road.”
Crafting memorable Melodies
Opal Ocean’s philosophy for creating instrumental music revolves around treating melodies like vocal lines.
“We balance intricate, riff-driven sections with melodic parts that resonate like a voice. This contrast is crucial for us. We draw a lot from fast players like Al Di Meola, especially in terms of precision and alternate picking. Ultimately, our style is a blend of everything we’ve absorbed over the years.”
Exploring Flamenco’s Harmonic Minor Scale
The harmonic minor scale is basic to flamenco music. For Opal Ocean, their journey began with improvising over flamenco chord progressions and discovering which notes fit best.
Nadav remarks,”It’s a distinctive scale,and once you become accustomed to it,it feels very natural. Initially, we used it extensively; it’s quite addictive, and the finger stretches can be quite enjoyable. If you’re familiar with the pentatonic scale, this offers a refreshing change. Repetition and exploration are essential-immersing yourself in these progressions makes it more intuitive.”
Paco De Lucía: The flamenco Legend
Nadav regards Paco De Lucía as the pinnacle of flamenco guitar.”He was a master of the genre, pushing its boundaries while maintaining profound musicality and emotion. His technique, particularly his picado, was remarkable, but what truly sets him apart is the passion and intensity he brought to his performances.”
“Watching him live,you can feel his commitment in every moment. He executed those intricate runs on Friday Night In San Francisco effortlessly, relying solely on his fingers.”
