Meet Alejandro Paredes | Singer Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alejandro Paredes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alejandro, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career because it was never really a choice, it was a calling. Ever since I was a kid, music and storytelling were the ways I made sense of the world. I wrote my first song when I was twelve, and I haven’t stopped since. Art gave me a voice before I even fully understood who I was.

Over the years, through wins and setbacks, I’ve come to see the creative path not just as a career, but as a responsibility to reflect, to connect, to heal, and to inspire. Especially after moving to a new country and having to start over, music became my compass, my bridge to new people and places. I truly believe that when we follow what moves us deeply, we end up moving others too.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is rooted in storytelling. I write songs that come from lived experience, moments of silence, migration, love, doubt, and hope. I come from the canción de autor tradition, deeply influenced by artists like Drexler, Sabina, Spinetta, and Fito Páez. What sets my work apart is that every song I write carries a purpose, it’s never just about sound, it’s about meaning.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how I’ve managed to keep going, even when life pushed me to start over from zero. I released my first album after winning a songwriting contest back home in Venezuela. Years later, I had to rebuild everything from scratch when I moved to Mexico, and then again when I arrived here in Texas. It hasn’t been easy but I’ve learned that resilience is a kind of art too.

What’s helped me move forward is a deep belief that music creates community. That’s why I keep performing, writing, recording, and finding ways to connect with others. I’ve worked with incredible Latin Grammy-nominated producers and engineers, and recently released my third album, Esencial, which feels like a rebirth. It’s a reflection of everything that’s brought me here the struggle, the growth, and the passion that never left.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and what I do, it’s this: I don’t just make music, I build bridges with it. Whether it’s through an intimate show at a local venue, a big festival, or a quiet conversation after a set, my goal is always the same, to move people, and remind them they’re not alone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

If my best friend were visiting the DFW area for a week, I’d make sure they experienced both the hidden gems and the iconic spots that make this place so special. We’d start in Bishop Arts in Oak Cliff, there’s something magical about walking those streets, with all the local shops, galleries, and coffee spots. It’s the perfect area for brunch and a slow afternoon exploring murals or catching some live acoustic music.

Another day, we’d head over to the Fort Worth Stockyards for a taste of true Texas heritage, think cowboy hats, rodeos, and old school saloons. In the evening, we’d check out the local music scene in the Near Southside area, which is always buzzing with great bands and creative energy.

Of course, I’d want to share my own world with them too. We’d spend a night at an event like La Peña, the Latin American music gathering that’s become a cultural home for many of us in the community. Then maybe hit Deep Ellum in Dallas, where the streets come alive with street art, food trucks, and live venues that celebrate every genre you can think of.

Midweek, we’d take a breather with some nature and art, a peaceful walk at the Dallas Arboretum, or a visit to one of the world class museums in the Fort Worth Cultural District. And for food, we’d try different spots around Oak Cliff, Arlington, and East Dallas places where the flavors tell the story of the people who live here.

What I love most about DFW is the diversity not just in people, but in the stories being lived and told. It’s a place full of movement, rhythm, and reinvention. That’s the kind of spirit I’d want my friend to take home with them, because it’s the same spirit that keeps me going every day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a friend named Alejandro Terra, he’s a Cuban singer songwriter based here in the DFW area. Alongside his solo project, he’s been organizing a Latin American and Caribbean music event called La Peña. He’s been running it for almost three years now, and it’s become a platform for many Latin artists living around here who, up until now, hadn’t really found a solid space to keep growing their careers, including myself.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alejandroparedesmusic/profilecard/?igsh=MW95a2UxeDN0M2h2eg==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josealeparedes/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@josealeparedes?si=yTbQXHryu9zImirv

Other: https://alejandroparedesmusic.carrd.co/