March 15th, 2023

ANNOUNCING: FEAST OF WIRE 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

We are thrilled to present a deluxe 20th Anniversary Edition of our 2003 album Feast of Wire, including a bonus track — our studio recording of Love’s “Alone Again Or” on vinyl for the first time — and a previously unreleased live album!

The live album More Cowboys in Sweden features 10 songs from Feast of Wire recorded live at China Theatre in Stockholm, Sweden in 2003.

You can listen to the live version of “Black Heart”, streaming everywhere now!

To celebrate the release, we have a limited 3LP vinyl edition available — a one time pressing of 4,000 copies with the original album remastered as 45 RPM, all on and including 180g black vinyl with an embossed cover sleeve, expanded liner Notes, and more. There’s also 2CD and digital offerings, all of which is available for pre-order now.

Looking back at 20 years of Feast of Wire, Joey had this to say:

When I think of recording ‘Feast of Wire’. I’m reminded of how much time and space we had in the studio to try out all sorts of ideas. Most of the recordings started like they often do with John on drums and myself on guitar. As we brought in the other band members it was like a river was flooding through our subconsciousness and we couldn’t get the ideas to analog tape fast enough.

When we hit the road and toured the album, I felt like the band was hitting a new and elevated stride – coming together and playing some very creative and dynamic shows. It was an exciting time, and the energy experienced on stage developed into an ensemble that I’m really proud of.

We’ve added a fresh batch of Feast of Wire tour dates in the UK and Europe this Autumn – bringing the album on the road in totality, alongside other favorites from across the Calexico catalog.

Tickets go on sale Friday 17th March at 10am GMT, except Dublin where tickets go on sale Wednesday 22nd March at 10am GMT.

–Calexico HQ

February 1st, 2022

NEW ALBUM ‘EL MIRADOR’

Hey everyone!

We’re pleased to announce the upcoming release of our new album El Mirador!

In the summer of 2021, we reunited in Tucson and began writing and recording tracks at our keyboardist Sergio Mendoza’s home studio. It felt so good to play and write music in person again. For our band members and friends that couldn’t record in Tucson, we sent tracks around the globe — from the States to Mexico, Spain, Germany and Italy — giving the album a special spark. The final results made their way to Portland, OR, where our friend Tucker Martine mixed the majority of what came to be El Mirador.

We’re releasing the title track today, which is a slow cumbia about transformation and finding one’s way back home to their heart. It features Gaby Moreno on backing vocals, Tom Hagerman of Devotchka on solo violin & strings, and Stefana Alessandro on electric guitar, banjo and lap steel.

The album is available to be pre-ordered now on a variety of formats — there’s a mixture vinyl variants, CD, and digital options. You can also pre-save the album on your preferred streaming service.

Much of the new album was inspired by the enthusiasm and energy we feel at our live shows. We can’t wait to be touring again soon. We will be performing these new songs on tour this April and May in Europe and the UK. Tickets for all upcoming shows are on sale now!

Welcome to El Mirador, please dive on in.
Joey and John

October 5th, 2021

EUROPE SPRING 2022 TOUR

 

At long last, we are coming back to Europe! We couldn’t be more excited to announce our Spring European Tour in 2022.

 

23 Apr – Linz, Austria – Posthof
24 Apr – Munich, Germany – Neue Theaterfabrik
26 Apr – Rome, Italy – Auditorium Parco Della Musica
27 Apr – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
29 Apr – Zürich, Switzerland – Xtra
30 Apr – Vienna, Austria – Museumsquartier
1 May – Leipzig, Germany – Felsenkeller
3 May – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Doornroosje
5 May – Dortmund, Germany – Konzerthaus Dortmund
6 May – Berlin, Germany – Tempodrom
7 May – Cologne, Germany – E-Werk
8 May – Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik
10 May – Amsterdam, Netherlands -mParadiso
11 May 2022- Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Den Atelier
12 May – Paris, France – Le Trianon
13 May – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
14 May – London, United Kingdom – O2 Forum Kentish Town

 

Tickets on-sale Friday 8th October at 9am BST
It’s been too long since we’ve been able to be together as a band, and we look forward to sharing many special moments with you all on the road. We’ll see you out there!

October 28th, 2020

New Holiday Album: Seasonal Shift

Announcing our first ever holiday album! Seasonal Shift, a collection of songs —with a mix of covers and originals — will be available on December 4 via City Slang and ANTI- and is available for pre-order now in the Calexico shop on limited edition vinyl and CD.

The album’s first track “Hear The Bells” is streaming everywhere now! Joey had this to say:

When writing songs for a seasonal album, I wanted to include some of the aspects of celebrations and traditions observed in Tucson around early November. This song is about holding time and space for memories.

We had a blast making ‘Season Shift,’ sending tracks back-and-forth with friends and band members stretching from The States to Europe, Mexico and Africa. It truly is a celebration of diversity and coming together, something that’s been constant with Calexico.

We’ve also launched a new collection of merch, including a camp cup, beanie, face mask, greeting cards & more! Shop all new items HERE!

We hope this brings some joy as we all adjust to this year’s Seasonal Shift.
— Calexico HQ

July 22nd, 2019

Calexico Italy Travels

The Years to Burn tour with Iron & Wine is underway! We’re thrilled to come back and play in some of our favorite places in the world, and explore some new ones, as we make our way through Europe, back to the States, and conclude back in Europe and the UK later this year. 

Below, Joey and John highlight some of their favorite memories from past tours and trips to Italy, where the Years to Burn tour will make stops in Milan, Gardone Riviera, Rome, Florence, and Monforte d’Alba.

You can find tickets for all upcoming Calexico and Iron & Wine shows HERE. We’ll see you all out there! 

From John: 

Our friend Carlo Martelli from City Slang Records took us on a long walk in Rome late one night while on a promo tour. I remember how amazing it was to see the ancient ruins at night, some lit up and others not, with cats checking us out and ignoring us at the same time, as cats do. At one point Carlo stopped in front of a pretty normal looking apartment building. Pointing up, he told us that was where the Maestro Ennio Morricone lives, and then proceeded to tell us an incredible story about how that famous baritone guitar sound was achieved for all those amazing Sergio Leone western soundtracks.

On another promo tour in Milano we got together with Vinicio and some of his friends at his apartment. He had a beautiful piano there and a well stocked kitchen with a very nice lady from Greece who cooked us an amazing dinner. After dinner Vinicio brought out an old victrola and played some old Italian waltzes. They sounded so beautiful. What was even more beautiful was the masks he passed out to each of us… waltzing becomes much more interesting with a mask on.

Playing shows in Italy is always an adventure. You never really know what it’s going to be like. Sometimes the venues are set up the day of the show; maybe in front of an old monastery, or in the town square. Soundcheck could be a disaster, but it always seems like the show comes together, and the people love it. I’ll never forget these two nuns who sat in the front row one night and clapped and smiled all through the show. 

Photo: Gaelle Beri | Verona 2018

We once played the beautiful village of Alberobello which is near the big port city Bari, where my paternal grandparents are from. After the show there were some people who had some copies of my solo record ‘Ragland’ to sign. It was really sweet to be there, and feel that my family line had come full circle.

Photo: Fabio Nosotti | Italy | 2017

 

From Joey: 

The Music of Fabrizio DeAndré-

Last year Calexico met Dori Ghezzi who gave us several volumes of her late husband Fabrizio DeAndré’s work. Since then I’ve been hooked on his lyrics, music and life story. 

Photo: Guido Harari | Joey and John with Dori Ghezzi | July 15, 2018

The Music of Vinicio Capossela-

Many years ago I asked a journalist to suggest some Italian music to check out. I ended up buying “Ovunque Proteggi” by Vinicio Capossela and was captivated and transported to a whole new universe. Since, our band has been lucky enough to perform and record with him and his guitarist Alessandro “Asso” Stefana. It’s always a pleasure working with them like returning to long lost brothers of the sea for a massive celebration. 

The Food – 

I’ll never forget the time in 2003 that we asked a local Italian promoter near Rimini to find us a restaurant that had truffles. The next day our whole band and crew sat down for a meal lasting all afternoon. It was epic and of course incredible. Afterwards, our friends took us to a beach away from the tourists. We had to walk through some dense fields which, to our surprise caught fire, so we had to run towards the beach and were stranded there for a few hours. It was both a bizarre and most beautiful day. One I will never forget. 

One thing that I love is coffee and the Italians are, simply put, kickass and the best at it. Italians breathe coffee. There is no effort and the style comes naturally to them. I love ordering espresso wherever I’m at in Italy- whether at an Autogrill or walking down a fancy street in Bologna. 

Photo by John | Autogrill outside of Milan

We’ve only played Catania, Sicily once and it was sort of a dream getting there and exploring this beautiful city. First off, the promoter arranged a private plane to pick us up in Vigo, Spain. Not bad at all. As we eased into the seats we enjoyed the view, fine dining, and champagne. We asked ourselves, “Did we win the lottery or something?”

The day after the festival our longtime friend Agostino Tilotta from the bands Uzeda and Bellini took us on a walking food tour followed by an incredible seafood dinner in the old fish market. While on our walk, I was amazed by the use of volcanic stone throughout the city; streets, stairways and even jewelry made of this gorgeous local rock, sourced from nearby Mount Ethna. Throughout the day we enjoyed some local flavors like Selz, a fresh salty seltzer water with freshly squeezed lemon, and ended the night with granita and brioche. It was a highlight of many of our tours through lovely Italy. 

Years to Burn is available now through City Slang (UK/EU) and Sub Pop Records (ROW). Calexico and Iron & Wine on tour now.

June 14th, 2019

Years to Burn Out Now

Hey everyone,

Holy smokes, I can’t believe it! Our new album with Iron & Wine is finally ready to spread its wings and fly into the world. Recorded mostly live over 5 days in Nashville, this gem captures beautiful moments of song, solos and a few surprises.

I hope you enjoy Years to Burn as much as we enjoyed making it. Watch a behind the scenes mini doc of the making of the album below




If you haven’t already purchased a copy, you can order now from City Slang (UK/EU) and Sub Pop Records (ROW) or support indie retail by purchasing at your local record store.

Now that the record is out, it’s time to bring these songs on the road. These gigs will be largely collaborative sets drawing from Years to Burn and In The Reins, plus maybe a song or two from our respective catalogs.

The tour kicks off next week with a sold-out show in Saxapahaw, NC and a free show at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival.

We’ll be traveling all over Europe and North America this summer and  fall, joined by special guests Natalie Prass, Orville Peck, Daughter of Swords, Madison Cunningham, and Lisa O’Neill on select dates. See all upcoming Calexico and Iron & Wine dates below and find details at casadecalexico.com.

Thanks for listening and see you out on the road.

Joey Burns
Tucson, AZ

March 21st, 2019

New Calexico and Iron & Wine Album Years to Burn

Hey Everyone,

We’ve been talking about getting back together with Iron & Wine for a while and today we’re happy to announce that we have a new album titled Years to Burn which will be released on June 14th via City Slang(UK/EU) and Sub Pop (ROW).

We’re offering a variety of pre-order options including limited colored vinyl from City Slang and Sub Popstandard black vinylCD, and via your preferred digital services.

John and I spent five days in early December of 2018 hanging out with Sam and playing tunes in Nashville at Sound Emporium with our friends Rob Burger on keyboards, Sebastian Steinberg on bass, Jacob Valenzuela on trumpet, Paul Niehaus on pedal steel and engineer/producer Matt Ross-Spang behind the mixing desk. As soon we started playing together, everything just clicked. In addition to the solid batch of songs, there’s some sonic surprises and twists that will make for a great listen on vinyl.

Listen to our first tune “Father Mountain” and while you’re singing along you can check out the new tour dates that we’ve added for North America, UK and Europe. We’ll be joined by special guest Lisa O’Neill on our newly announced UK dates with more support announcements to follow. Find tickets and details below or at casadecalexico.com

Joey Burns
Tucson, AZ

February 28th, 2019

Calexico and Iron & Wine European Tour Dates

Excited to be playing a few shows with Iron & Wine in Europe this summer. Tickets for all dates are on sale now.

19 July – Super Bock Super Rock – Lisbon, PT

20 July – Stimmen Festival – Arlesheim, CH

28 July – Konzerthaus – Vienna, AT

29 July – Auditorium de Palma de Mallorca – Palma, ES

31 July – Stadtpark – Hamburg, DE

01 August – Cambridge Folk Festival – Cambridge, UK

03 August – M-idzommer Festival – Leuven, BE

January 11th, 2019

Australia + New Zealand Tour Starts Next Week

Hey Australia and New Zealand! We’re packing our bags and ready to bring our instruments to celebrate the summertime with you. Our first stop will be in Perth at the Rosemount Hotel and we’ll be making our way east looking for good coffee, bookstores and record shops, so send us some of your favorite local spots! Swing by the merch table to grab this limited edition tour poster designed by Zoca Studio Inc. We’ll see you all soon.