›› MUSIC
Once upon time in Southwest Calexico spreads hot sauce on spaghetti Western sound... by G r e g Cahill
“I
really like those moments in rhythms and ambient soundscapes. music, regardless of the genre— It captures the eclectic nature of Calexwhether it’s classical, jazz, folk or ico—a shifting collective of players that rock, whatever—when it’s all about the revolve around Burns and drummer John transition,” says Calexico guitarist and Convertino, his longtime music partner. vocalist Joey Burns during a phone inCalexico, with a group of Arizona playterview from his home in Tucson. “When ers, performs in the North Bay next week. it’s about improvisation or leaving and Burns and Convertino nurtured that departing a melody or an established verse collaborative spirit as members of Gior chorus or what have you. ant Sand, the avant-pop collective built “I love those moments around the visionary where you step off and Howie Gelb. Giant Sand don’t know where it’s goevoked a mescaline-enCOMING SOON ing to go. hanced bohemian vision Calexico performs Tuesday, “That essence, or that of Arizona’s wide desert Aug. 16, at 8pm, with Sea of aesthetic, that is in our landscapes. Bees, at the Mystic Theatre, music, in that space we The two musicians 21 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $19, $21; 707/765-2121. like to write or record in left the band in 2000 and and it really lends itself began backing such thenwell to motion pictures.” emerging indie-rock singCalexico’s music, er/songwriters as Victoria which is often steeped in mood and mysWilliams before joining the loose-knit tery, can be heard on their newly released Friends of Dean Martinez. “Collaboration soundtrack to The Guard, a movie that co- has always been in my blood, and that’s stars Don Cheadle and Brendan Gleeson. the case with a lot of musicians I know, The 23-track CD is a mix of twangy including the members of Giant Sand,” spaghetti Western vibe, Latin dance Burns says. “It’s just fun!
Joey Burns, left, and John Convertino of Calexico, a far better band name than Mexifornia.
“It’s what musicians do.” Eventually, the duo started recorded their own songs at home, bringing in collaborators as needed and backing others when the opportunity arose. During a road trip through the Southwest, Burns and Convertino adopted the band’s name from the California town on the U.S./Mexico border. “It reminded me of all these musical influences living under one roof,” Burns says. “It’s a stepping-off point—there’s something really inspiring
about living in a border region because you start seeing more about this movement of cultures. “It’s what has kept me here [in Tucson], where I have developed a love for all these cultures, the history and all the possibilities musically that have come about.” Indeed, the band’s music is a melting pot for country, indie rock, Latin and African rhythms, jazz and other styles. They’ve performed and recorded with such notable musicians as Andrew Bird, Neko Case, Amos Lee, Nancy Sinatra, Victor Jara and Manu Chao, among others. Calexico has released six full-length albums, six original material “tour only” live albums, five EPs (including In the Reins, the 2005 collaboration with Iron and Wine) and a live DVD. A box set of their “tour only” indie releases, titled Road Atlas, is scheduled for release in November. On the star-studded double-CD soundtrack to the 2007 Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There, Calexico backed vocalist Jim James of My Morning Jacket (“Goin’ to Acapulco”), Iron and Wine (“Dark Eyes”), Roger McGuinn (“One More Cup of Coffee”), Willie Nelson (“Tales of Yankee Power”) and Charlotte Gainsbourg (“Just Like a Woman”), as well as providing the instrumental bonus tracks “(Main Title Theme) Billy” and “Bunkhouse Theme.” “Collaboration comes very easy for us,” Burns says. “People enjoy that and are surprised how easy it is to record with a band like ours. That makes me feel good—it’s a nice compliment. “And it’s one of the biggest rewards about playing music. Collaborating, whether it’s on the stage or in the studio, is what brought us together in the first place.” ✹ Collaborate with Greg at gcahill51@gmail.com. Tune up to the Marin music scene at
›› pacificsun.com/music AUGUST 12 - AUGUST 18, 2011 PACIFIC SUN 25