Very few musicians have had a more varied career than Alejandro Escovedo. He got his start in the 70s with the punk band the Nuns. From there his musical output ranged from alt-country, alt-rock, cowpunk and Chicano rock.
His upcoming album The Crossing is due out September 14, 2018. It is a concept album about the experiences of two immigrants, one from Italy and one from Mexico. It follows them as they try to pursue the American dream while they grapple with cultural identity and racism.
The subject resonates in light of the hateful anti-immigration rhetoric being pushed with the current administration. Escovedo himself is an American born son of Mexican immigrants.
The first single, “Sonica USA” is a rollicking tune which features contributions from Wayne Kramer, guitarist of seminal protopunk band MC5.
The song builds upon the album’s theme of the American immigrant experience. In this instance, music was one way to pursue the dream. The song serves as a reminder that the USA was built on the back of immigrants. It also highlights the rich cultural impact of immigrants. Isolationism only makes us poorer as a society.