Songs & Stories: Craig Finn, Patterson Hood, and Alejandro Escovedo

Singer-songwriter heavyweights Craig Finn (The Hold Steady), Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers), and Alejandro Escovedo come together on the Lensic stage for a night of incredible music and collaboration.

Craig Finn is a Minnesota-bred singer/songwriter based in New York City, best known as the singer of The Hold Steady. Finn spent the ’90’s leading Minneapolis indie band Lifter Puller, which released 3 albums and an EP.  After relocating to New York, he joined with Lifter Puller member Tad Kubler to form The Hold Steady in 2003.  The Hold Steady quickly achieved critical acclaim and a worldwide fan base with their unique pairing of dense lyrical narratives with big rock guitars. Finn released his 6th solo album,  Always Been, on April 4. Produced by Adam Granduciel (The War On Drugs), the album features musical performances by Granduciel and members of The War on Drugs, Kathleen Edwards, Sam Fender, and more.

Patterson Hood is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers. Born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Hood grew up immersed in the region’s rich musical heritage, with his father, David Hood, being a renowned session bassist for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Drawing inspiration from storytelling traditions and a passion for rock, country, and soul, Hood’s music often explores themes of Southern identity, social justice, and personal introspection.

Alejandro Escovedo’s life in music of all kinds sometimes feels like a swirl through the sky, where his songs point out all the majesty and mystery of how he sees the world. The sounds he makes take him places that he might not even predict, but once there, greatness always follows. It’s just the way Escovedo is.