Revisiting Melodies of Memory

Alejandro Escovedo is a Texas-born singer/songwriter who comes from a rich family of musicians including his niece, Sheila E. Alejandro started out in the pioneering San Francisco punk band the Nuns in 1975. From there he moved to New York, and then eventually settled in Austin where he started playing rootsy rock with bands like Rank and File, as well as The True Believers.

In March, Alejandro Escovedo released his latest album, Echo Dancing, a retrospective of his career that spans five decades. Inspired by artists like Brian Eno and Suicide, Alejandro Escovedo both re-imagines and re-records his previous work on the new album.

On today’s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Alejandro Escovedo about his upbringing in San Antonio and Huntington Beach, where he’d sometimes pretend to be Hawaiian to avoid getting beat up. He also tells some great stories about his swings through Austin and San Francisco—like being on the bill for the Sex Pistol’s final show.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Alejandro Escovedo songs HERE.

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