Alejandro Escovedo has no preconceived notions about his next album. He knows that sometime in the middle of May he’ll likely retreat to West Texas to write. Although his brand of alt country-punk many tag as Americana has won the hearts of his loyal fan base, don’t be surprised if the Austin-based Escovedo mixes it up a bit on the next record.
“Things are very different from me now,” said Escovedo of the years since his near fatal battle with hepatitis C. “I saw what I needed to focus on in my life.”
| Onstage |
| Alejandro Escovedo |
| Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW |
| When: 7 p.m. doors Sunday |
| Info: $20, 930.com |
After growing up in a house filled with everything from Latin jazz to the music of Elvis Presley, Escovedo embraced surf rock, soul and the mix-and-match patchwork of punk.
It was when he returned to his home base of Austin that he plunged into his own eclectic sound.
Escovedo gained so much respect for his music — not to mention critical acclaim — that many of his kindred musical spirits released a double tribute CD to aid in his recovery. Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Los Lonely Boys, Ian Hunter and Escovedo’s own relatives were among the participants.
Although Escovedo returned to performing and recording in 2004 — he’s now on tour behind his lush album “Street Songs of Love” — he found the near fatal scare changed his entire outlook.
Among the many projects he’s tackled of late include “The United Sounds of America,” a musical history of Austin and includes such notables as Marshall Crenshaw and Arlo Guthrie.
