Bevor Joey Burns und John Convertino ihre eigene Band gründeten, waren sie in Howe Gelbs Alt.Country-Legende Giant Sand tätig. Kurioserweise erschien das erste Calexico-Album bereits auf dem deutschen Indie-Label „Hausmusik“. Seitdem ist die Verbindung der Band aus Arizona zu Deutschland geblieben, bereits seit 1998 veröfffentlichen Calexico nun ihre Alben bei City Slang. Calexicos Variante des Alt.Country-Genres ist eine spielerische, die immer wieder Mariachi-, Cumbia- oder Latin-Jazz-Elemente in ihre Songs integriert. Auf dem neuesten Album „El Mirador“ mischt auch wieder ein alter Weggefährte mit: Sam Beam von Iron & Wine.

* Your three favourite Punk singles/songs?

“This Ain’t no Picnic” by The Minutemen

“I’m So Bored with the USA” The Clash

“Kool Thing” by Sonic Youth

* A record that will make you dance?

“Get UR Freak On” by Missy Elliott

* Your favourite song lyrics?

“Anywhere on this Road” by Lhasa

* The best “new” artist / band right now?

Rosalía:
She has talent, style, passion, soul, smart, and knows how to transform tradition into fashion

* Townes van Zandt, Lee Hazelwood or Johnny Cash – which one do you prefer and why?

If I was stuck in a prison cell I think I would chose Johnny Cash over the other two. He’s smart, funny and can handle any situation regardless of how high the flames are.

* Your favourite song about rebellion/revolution?

“Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley

* Your favourite song 2021?

2021 Best Song “My America is not your America” (featuring Graham Coxon) by Mexican Institute of Sound

2021 Best album: ‘Hey What’ by Low

* Your favourite movie about music – and why?

“Straight No Chaser” It not only taps into the genius of Thelonius Monk’s music but it shows the fragility of emotional balance in an artist’s life. Jazz Musicians from the States found refuge in Europe from racism at home and the film touches on how music was the path toward enlightenment.

* The best song you’ve ever written / recorded?

Old: “Woven Birds” (Feast of Wire 2003)
New: “Caldera” (El Mirador 2022)

* Your favourite german song/record?

‘Neu!’ By Neu (1972)

* Your favourite record of all time?

“The Living Road” by Lhasa

(Antworten: Joey Burns)

Das neue Album von Calexico, „El Mirardor“, erscheint am 8. April