NAT GEO MUSIC RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM FROM SPANISH SINGER-SONGWRITER DEPEDRO
 

DePedro, the first solo album from the man behind the name Jairo Zavala, and also the first full-length release for the newly minted Nat Geo Music label, comes out today. The album combines the Madrid native’s varied influences with a particular North American bent. DePedro was recorded in Calexico’s studios in Tucson, Ariz., and Calexico serves as the backing band for most of the record. Calexico’s lead singer, Joey Burns, duets on several tracks.

As a touring guitarist for Calexico, Zavala has toured around the world, most recently playing shows in the United States with the Decemberists and Andrew Bird. But his own material is on display, too: not only did he play at this year’s SXSW, but the songs he’s written with Calexico (“Victor Jara’s Hands,” for example, off last year’s Carried to Dust) are a constant part of the band’s repertoire.

To celebrate the release, National Geographic is giving away an MP3 single, "La Memoria." To download the single and check out the video, go to natgeomusic.net.

Hear more from DePedro and some tracks from the new album on National Geographic Weekend, a weekly talk show hosted by Boyd Matson, on August 22 and 23. More info can be found here.

http://www.myspace.com/myspacedepedro