On May 25, 2023, Los Angeles-based musician Alex Moreno sat down for an intimate interview with Los Angeles Arts Quarterly to discuss his latest album, Echoes of the West, and how his work navigates themes of cultural identity, belonging, and the complexity of the immigrant experience. The album, which blends electronic, rock, and traditional Latin sounds, has garnered significant attention for its innovative approach to genre fusion and its emotional depth.
Moreno, who was born in Mexico City and moved to Los Angeles as a teenager, shared insights into his musical journey, explaining how his personal experiences have shaped both his creative process and his artistic voice. “When I first moved to Los Angeles, I felt disconnected—not just from my home country, but from the city itself. Music became my way of bridging those gaps, both internally and externally,” Moreno explained. His sound, which combines elements of synthpop, indie rock, and mariachi, reflects the tension he feels between his heritage and his life in the U.S.
Echoes of the West explores this sense of duality, drawing from Moreno’s upbringing in Mexico and his adaptation to life in the U.S. The album’s standout track, Borderlines, fuses traditional Latin rhythms with electronic beats, symbolizing the constant push and pull of cultural identity. “The border is not just a physical line; it’s a feeling, a space that we all navigate. That’s what I try to express in my music—how the boundaries we create, both societal and personal, shape us,” he said.
In discussing his inspiration, Moreno highlighted his time in Los Angeles as a pivotal influence. “Los Angeles is a city of stories, a mosaic of cultures and voices. It’s a place where I feel like I can exist between two worlds, and that tension is something I explore through sound,” he said. He credits the city’s diverse music scene, including artists like Cuco and Kali Uchis, for influencing his own work. “They’ve really carved out a space for Latinx artists in the mainstream, and that’s given me the courage to fully embrace my roots.”
The album has been lauded for its ability to bring together seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive sound that speaks to a broader cultural experience. Echoes of the West addresses themes of migration, displacement, and self-discovery, all while celebrating the beauty of both Mexican and American cultures.
Moreno, who also actively advocates for the inclusion of Latinx artists in the music industry, sees his work as part of a larger movement. “There are so many stories that haven’t been told, and it’s our job as artists to bring those to light,” he said. His album release event, held in downtown Los Angeles, included live performances and a short documentary that delved into his creative process and the cultural significance of his music.
As the interview concluded, Moreno shared his plans for the future, expressing his desire to collaborate with more diverse artists and continue pushing boundaries in both music and identity. “I want to keep evolving. My journey as an artist is far from over, and I want to bring people into my world, to show them what it’s like to walk this line between cultures.”
For many in the Los Angeles music scene, Alex Moreno is a testament to the power of music to express the complexities of identity, and Echoes of the West is sure to remain an influential work for years to come.
