Alejandro Espino Aldana
“When I put the Mariachi suit on it empowers me! I walk in the streets with my head up high”
Alejandro Espino Aldana
Country of Origin: Mexico
Occupation: Singer-Songwriter, composer, arranger & multi-instrumentalist
Year of arrival to Australia: 2007
State of residency: Victoria
Favourite place in Australia: The beach
Biggest surprise when arriving to Australia: No people in the streets after 5pm
Edited by Zoe Gleeson. Socials by Juan Camilo.
Hailing from the Mexican border town, Tijuana, Alejandro Espino Aldana’s music speaks to the multitude of influences that have shaped his life. Inspired by the sounds of electric guitars north of the border and simultaneously Mexican musicians south of the border, it is no surprise Alejandro’s music is exciting and ever changing. Alongside performing, Alejandro teaches music at local primary schools in Melbourne, bringing with him his enthusiasm for music and culture.
TELL US YOUR STORY
Being born in Tijuana (a Border Town), it’s like you get the best of both worlds because the North American influences in the way you dress, the way you speak the way traditions were celebrated and also the type of music that was on the radio and having access to American radio stations ( this is all pre Internet days). I was captivated immediately by the sounds of electric guitars of bands such like, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin Van Halen among others and simultaneously listening to Vicente Fernandez, Camilo Sesto, Los Apson, Trio los Tres Diamantes on the other side of the border etc…
Before becoming a professional musician, I was already a father of two and a collector of music cassettes, CDs and records. When I decided that school wasn’t for me, I took classical guitar lessons at the age of 19, for the next 4 years I didn’t play anything but classical guitar. One day I was at a party and someone said: Alejandro plays the guitar! Come on play something for us! I was so excited to share my talent I started playing Mozart on the guitar and everyone was so disappointed, they wanted me to play and sing a song and I didn’t know how to do that! So, I started learning popular music after that experience.
I arrived in Australia in June 2007 with my former partner, who was pregnant with our son Kai (born in September 2007) and our 6 year old son Atzin, from Tijuana, Mexico. Our reason for migrating to Australia was the violence that was taking place all over the city between cartels. My ex-partner was very scared and convinced me to move to Australia. It was a very stressful and sad situation, I left behind my other two children Nayar (17) & Mitzy (12) from my previous partner.
We didn’t have any contacts here but my ex partner’s immediate family. On August 2007 we moved to the Yarra Valley in Warburton and I started working at Warburton Primary School as a music teacher. I also started busking on the weekends at the Collingwood Children’s Farm and Gasworks in Albert Park.
I’m currently directing 4 parallel projects: “Sin Frontera Band”, “Mexican Music Man”, “The Lone Mariachi” and “The Lone Mariachi & The Silver Masked Men”
Around 2010 I started the “Sin Frontera Band” aiming to promote the diverse sounds of Mexico with Drums, Guitar, Trumpet and Bass. In the early days, Sin Frontera Band was invited to play at Los Amates Restaurant by Arturo Morales every Mexican Independence and Day of The Dead Celebrations. From there, we started playing in many places and Festivals.
Sin Frontera Band has been changing ever since, currently it is an acoustic Mariachi project with traditional Mexican Instruments like the Vihuela and Guitarron and also the violin. We are currently partnering with Mexbourne Dance company, putting together Mexican traditional Dances from different states of Mexico such as Jalisco, Michoacan, Veracruz among others.
Mexican Music Man was born in 2008 while busking at the Collingwood Children’s Farm, Farmer’s Market. A former Prahran Market manager saw me playing there and invited me to come to the Prahran Market to play for the children and families every Thursday Morning, and I have been performing every Thursday morning ever since! My motivation to start to writing songs for Children was born out of this.
In 2014 I released my first self-titled album, Mexican Music Man and in 2016 I launched my second album called Sing Your Song and in 2020 the single “Lollypop Lady”. A new Album is coming in early 2023 – stay tuned! I created The Lone Mariachi (TLM) for all solo acts. TLM also released a single in 2020 with an electronic vibe song called “Cumbiazo”. New Music by The Lone Mariachi is also soon to be release in 2023.
“The Lone Mariachi & The Silver Masked Men” formed in 2019 with the aim to write our own music and promote Mexican Culture through Cumbia rhythms and also to take over what Sin Frontera Band used to do (Parties and Weddings). The band performs with wrestling Masks, alongside The Lone Mariachi (maskless). Our first Single called Cumbia de Telenovela was released in 2020 on all Platforms and a second Single called “Cumbia Time" in 2022. Both tracks were produced by the band and Dillo from La Maldita Vecindad on keyboards. An EP is soon to be release in 2023.
My Life in Australia is like I’m already from here. I’m used to this life that’s so different than my homeland. Now when I travel to Mexico or other countries, I miss Melbourne. The way I have made my life here in my own way on my own terms have kept me very happy. I teach Guitar in an Australian school and teach and share with the Children our music and our culture.
Challenges
New life - After moving to Australia and my subsequent divorce, I felt I had to reinvent myself. However, music was a constant. I’ve always done music as a way of life, that is why I invented all these characters to make a living and to support my children in Mexico and the ones here as well and live a good live with my wife Colette.
Health - It has been a challenge to live with my skin condition (vitiligo), caused by stress ever since I moved to Australia, I am yet to overcome it yet, but I’m working on it!
Vegemite - I don’t think I will overcome that one hahaha. I have missed Mexican food, back in 2007 I remember I could not find corn tortillas anywhere, I had to buy the corn flour at Casa Iberica and make them myself!
CONTRASTS & Simmilarities
Words - We Mexicans have the tendency to abbreviate words so are Aussies. I could not understand when people said to me “Ta” for many months then I found out that it was a diminutive for Thank You, very funny!
Way of life - I found it very hard to adapt to the way of life in the beginning because where I’m from we eat when we are hungry and not in a very specific time. It’s just different. I guess you get used to it. Restaurants don’t open until 5pm! I could not get my head around that. And to see a Milk Bar was a strange concept for me! Ive always thought that there where people drinking milk in a Bar, ha!
PIECE OF ADVICE
Learn the language - : It is important to learn the basics to get around before you get here.
Be Yourself - Some people when they come here want to fit in so much that they even give up their native language. I have done the opposite and I’m proud of my heritage. I was never a Mariachi in my country until I came to Australia.
Socialise - Find people to talk to, you can call me!
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Alejandro is 57 years old and at this rate, he will never retire from music – it is a way of life! His main instrument is the guitar and that keeps him busy. He loves to travel with his wife Colette, exercise and live a good life!
Hope you enjoyed reading this inspiring story.
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With love and gratitude - Latin Stories Australia team