Celebrated singer-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo opens up about the grief and anguish behind his iconic album Gravity, his early bands, and struggles with health. They dive into his new album Echo Dancing and why he reinterpreted his work, touching on themes of creativity and personal history.
Alejandro Escovedo's early music career was marked by diversity in bands and raw guitar tones influenced by his California experiences.
Alejandro Escovedo's interactions with iconic musicians like Patti Smith and Iggy Pop shaped his experimental and boundary-pushing musical journey in the '70s and '80s.
Escovedo's battles with serious illnesses led to introspective records like 'Gravity' and '13 Years' reflecting themes of grief, healing, and transformation.
Deep dives
Musical Journey of Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo shares his musical journey, starting with his early exposure to diverse bands like The Who, Big Mama Thornton, and Dr. John. His life experiences in California, especially moving to San Francisco, influenced his music in bands like The Nuns in the '70s, showcasing raw guitar tones and garage band influences.
Chelsea Hotel and New York Scene
Escovedo reflects on his time living in the Chelsea Hotel in New York in the late '70s, interacting with notable figures like Patti Smith and Iggy Pop. His involvement with the No Wave music scene with bands like Shooting Nylon highlights the experimental and boundary-pushing musical environment of the era.
Encounters with Iconic Musicians
Escovedo shares memorable encounters with iconic musicians like James Brown, Roy Buchanan, Iggy Pop, and Judy Nylon, offering insights into their performances, personalities, and the unique musical experiences he had with them. These interactions shaped his musical journey and enriched his perspective on music.
Reflecting on Personal Experiences and Musical Evolution
The episode delves into the personal evolution and musical journey of the interviewee, recounting experiences playing with various bands and musicians, including influential figures like Laurie, John K. O'Brienino, and Chris Spedding. It highlights a pivotal period in New York from 1978 to 1980, characterized by the transition from punk to the emergence of new musical genres like no wave. The interviewee shares insights on finding musical identity, adapting guitar tones, and navigating the evolving music scene.
Overcoming Health Struggles and Musical Resilience
The narrative shifts to the interviewee's health challenges, including battles with serious illnesses like hepatitis C and cirrhosis that necessitated intensive medical treatments and lifestyle changes. The conversation touches on moments of despair and resilience, detailing the emotional and physical toll of these health crises. Despite facing mortality, the interviewee perseveres, creating impactful records like 'Gravity' and '13 Years' that reflect themes of grief, healing, and transformation, showcasing a deep introspective journey through music.
Celebrated singer-songwriter and guitarist Alejandro Escovedo made one of Marc’s favorite albums, the 1992 solo record Gravity. But the raw, intimate poetry of that album came from a real place of grief and anguish in Alejandro’s life. They talk about what led up to that point, including his early bands The Nuns, Rank and File, and True Believers, and the rocky road afterward when Alejandro’s health took a turn for the worse. They also discuss his new album, Echo Dancing, and why he chose to reinterpret his own work.
