Alejandro Escovedo previews his first album in six years today with "Castañuelas,” a reimagining of one of his most beloved songs - with inspiration from the sights and sounds on the streets of Northern Mexico. While watching the Fernando Frías de la Parra film “Ya No Estoy Aqui,” Escovedo was taken with its use of Cumbia “Rebajada” - a slowed down version of the traditional Latin American style, which reminded him in many ways of dub music’s creation decades earlier. Escovedo remembers being enamored by the way these kids in Monterrey “slowed down the rhythm to create new dances in the community built around this music.” The result is a radically reworked take on his 2001 classic “Castanets,” a song that’s long been a staple of Escovedo’s live sets - excluding the years after President George W. Bush announced it was on his personal playlist, when Escovedo declined to perform it again until he left office.

Listen to “Castañuelas” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJNkAEJgi20 

Pre-order Escovedo’s new album Echo Dancing (out March 29 via Yep Roc Records) here: https://yeproc.ffm.to/echodancing

Like with each song on Echo Dancing, “Castañuelas” was arranged and produced by Escovedo with Don Antonio and Nicola Peruch at Waveroof Studio in Castel Bolognese, Italy. The album finds them completely reinventing and re-recording Escovedo’s previous work - with inspiration from Brian Eno and Judy Nylon and Alan Vega - as Escovedo traces a one-of-a-kind musical life from 70s New York punk to Austin's "musical conscience and hometown hero" (NPR Alt Latino) to unflinching advocate for musicians’ mental health and immigrant causes. Escovedo previously shared a reworked “Bury Me” from the collection on his 73rd birthday last month - fitting for a song (originally released in the early 1990s) which contemplates what would happen if he “should die before I turn 43.” The 2024 version was named a “Best Of” selection upon its release by outlets including Brooklyn Vegan, WNYC, KUTX and The Austin Chronicle - who dubbed it full of "High Plains electro eclecticism." 

Escovedo has also announced a headlining US tour for Spring 2024, kicking off with an album release celebration at Antone’s in Austin on March 29 before dates in New York, Nashville, Toronto and more. Escovedo will also support Jason Isbell at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia on September 11 - with more fall dates to be announced soon. Find a full list of Alejandro Escovedo's currently announced tour dates below and here: https://www.alejandroescovedo.com/tour

ECHO DANCING TRACKLIST

1. John Conquest

2. Sacramento & Polk

3. Bury Me

4. Everybody Loves Me

5. Too Many Tears

6. Castañuelas

7. Outside Your Door

8. Sensitive Boys

9. Thought I’d Let You Know

10. Swallows of San Juan

11. Last to Know

12. MC Overload

13. Inside This Dance

14. Wave

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO TOUR DATES

Mar 29 - Austin, TX - Antone's* (Echo Dancing Release Show)

Apr 4 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club*

Apr 5 - Asheville, NC - Salvage Station*

Apr 6 - Raleigh, NC - The Pour House Music Hall*

Apr 7 - Richmond, VA - The Tin Pan*

Apr 10 - Homer, NY - Homer Center for the Arts*

Apr 12 - Sellersville, PA - The Sellersville Theater*

Apr 13 - Boston, MA - City Winery* 

Apr 14 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom*

Apr 17 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern* 

Apr 19 - Kalamazoo, MI - Bell's Back Room*

Apr 20 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre*

Apr 21 - Three Oaks, MI - The Acorn*

Apr 23 - Milwaukee, WI - Vivarium*

Apr 25 - Berwyn, IL - FITZGERALD'S NIGHTCLUB* (SOLD OUT)

Apr 26 - Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre*

Apr 27 - Minneapolis, MN - The Dakota* 

Apr 29 - Berwyn, IL - FITZGERALD'S NIGHTCLUB* 

Apr 30 - Iowa City, IA - The Englert Theater*

May 2 - St. Louis, MO - City Winery* 

May 3 - Nashville, TN - CMA Theater*

May 4 - Little Rock, AR - White Water Tavern* (SOLD OUT)

May 5 - Dallas, TX - The Kessler Theater* 

May 31 - San Antonio, TX - Stable Hall^

Jun 1 - Houston, TX - The Heights Theater^ 

Sep 11 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap #

* with Scott Danbom, Mark Henne, & James Mastro + support set from James Mastro

^ with Scott Danbom, Mark Henne

# supporting Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit 

Connect with Alejandro Escovedo

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