Almost A Dirty Dozen with FREDDY TRUJILLO – November 2026

Photo credit: Jeffrey DeWitt

According to a recent press release: “For more than two decades, Freddy Trujillo has quietly built one of the most distinctive careers in American roots music. Whether anchoring the rhythm section as bassist for Richmond Fontaine and The Delines or stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, the Simi Valley, California-born and Portland, Oregon-based musician has consistently blended Americana, folk, rock, Mexican musical traditions, and deeply personal storytelling into a body of work that refuses to fit neatly into any one genre. His songs have explored Chicano identity, family, memory, injustice, and belonging with equal parts honesty and compassion, earning him a reputation as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most thoughtful songwriters. Now, with his fifth solo album – and his first for El Cortez Records – Ave Trujillo, arriving September 25, 2026, Trujillo delivers his most imaginative and ambitious work to date.” We get Freddy to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The new release is a bird themed record. A fan might not grab that the bird calls are in the songs. Also, I tried to use as many of the bird’s songs as a theme for the chords or riff. “Black-Capped Chickadee” is the most obvious one. “Mourning Dove” and “Canyon Wren” as well.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I grew up around music all of my life. My father was a great guitar player. I didn’t appreciate it when I was little. But the moment when I realized I wanted to be a musician was when I saw my sister in a band. The practiced in our garage. These guys were only 2 years older than me but seeing them play Ozzy or Rush songs blew me away.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There is now specific song. I was always into The Beatles and things like that. Those were just around the house. But I think the biggest turning point as a musician and bass player was when I heard “Maggot Brain” by Funkadelic. That changed my idea of bass and singing.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Adrian Quesada. I really like his musical tastes and he is a great producer. He is very diverse.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Well obviously from the theme of this record I like to go out bird watching.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I describe my music as Amexicana. Nobody has made a comparison that made me cringe yet. One person said that I looked like Bruno Mars. That made me laugh.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

In the Delines the other band I play bass in. Cory will be the first to cook or get the drinks in. Willy won’t grab a guitar but he will start playing DJ. I haven’t toured much with a band for my solo work. I usually have to go alone.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I think the last time I was really star struck was the times I have seen Tom Waits in person. Once was at the listening party for Talk is Cheap by Keith Richards. The two of them were sitting together and that was just too much.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is getting to speak a language across cultures. Getting to go visit other countries. I think my dream job would be working with Birds of Prey. Or hosting my own show where I take musicians bird watching and talk about life and music.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I can’t think of anything.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I think the biggest misstep was that I didn’t start writing songs earlier or I didn’t believe in the songs I did write. I would like to go back and not have as many B plans.

FREDDY TRUJILLO LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews