Calexico shares the latest single “Rambler,” off the band’s latest album El Mirador (ANTI-). Co-founding member of the band Joey Burns says the track is inspired by time spent in the Northwest, from Idaho and Montana to Oregon and Washington. “Throughout these travels I kept seeing ghosts looking for someone to sing their stories,” Burns said. “When John [Covertino] and I met up to record, the music came together in a flash, and you can feel that spark of spontaneity between the acoustic guitar and drums when you listen. Later on we added some slide guitar (Connor Gallaher) and backing vocals (Luke Ydstie) to build splashes of color and character.”

Next month the band will embark on a tour of the East coast, performing in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Washington DC and more. All upcoming dates are listed below.

Joey Burns and John Convertino have been performing together for over 30 years, sharing a deep love of jazz and usually building songs on a foundation of bass and drums. But all these years later, Calexico is still breaking new ground. Their latest album, El Mirador, came out in April of this year and showcases a sunnier side of the band, cutting through two years of pandemic fog with a blast of danceable optimism. Writing and recording alongside Sergio Mendoza (keys, accordion, percussion), the album expands on long running influences of cumbia, mariachi and the plethora of diaspora sounds flourishing throughout the Southwest.

The title track “El Mirador” features gossamer vocals from Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, while Spanish rocker Jairo Zavala brings his signature bravado to “Cumbia Peninsula.” By working with friends and recurring collaborators, Calexico also highlights the unique social and linguistic intersections at the US-Mexico border and the magnificent possibilities of a borderless world. “The album is trying to convey openness,” adds Burns. “Look around you. If you’re in the North, you need a South to live in balance. We’re all breathing together.”

TOUR DATES
10/6 – Detroit, MI @ El Club #
10/7 – Chicago, IL @ Metro Chicago #
10/8 – St. Louis, MO @ The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries #
10/9 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre #
10/10 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café #
10/12 – Cincinnati, OH @ Memorial Hall #
10/13 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel #
10/14 – Pelham, TN @ The Caverns #
10/15 – Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre #
10/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West #
10/18 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle #
10/19 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater #
10/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl Philly #
10/22 – Ridgefield, CT @ The Ridgefield Playhouse #
10/23 + 10/24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg #
10/25 + 10/26 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair #
10/28 – Washington D.C. @ 9:30 Club #
3/30 – 4/2 – Knoxville, TN @ Big Ears Festival 2023

# – with Ada Lea