Calexico had its origins in 1990 when Burns, who was studying music at the University of California, Irvine, met up with Convertino, who was playing drums with Howe Gelb in Giant Sand. Burns joined them, after first playing upright bass on a European tour.
Giant Sand moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1994. John and Joey formed the Friends of Dean Martin (later the Friends of Dean Martinez) which scored a record deal with Sub Pop. However, the pair split up with Bill Elm, the co-founder of The Friends of Dean Martinez in 1996. The band subsequently became a kind of indie rhythm section for hire, working with the likes of Victoria Williams, Barbara Manning and Richard Buckner before forming Calexico.
Calexico first recorded Spoke in 1995 for German independent label Hausmusik with a limited edition of 2,000 copies. At that point the band was still called Spoke and the album was technically self-titled. After the band signed with Quarterstick Records (a subsidiary of Touch and Go Records) and changed their name to Calexico, Spoke was reissued by that label in 1997. Burns and Convertino also collaborated with Gelb and Lisa Germano on the album Slush released under the name OP8 that same year.
Their second album The Black Light was released in 1998. This was a concept album about the desert of Arizona and northern Mexico and received excellent reviews, with the critic from the Wall Street Journal rating it as one of the best records of the year.
The band built their profile by touring as support acts for bands such as Pavement, the Dirty Three and Lambchop. Calexico has regularly played festivals such as the Bonnaroo Music Festival, the Hurricane Festival and All Tomorrow's Parties. The Road Map album was a limited recording released in 1999 for sale only at Calexico's live shows.
Calexico released its third album Hot Rail in May 2000 featuring the addition of horns and violin to their sound. The duo was busy in 2000 as they also appeared on a Giant Sand record called Chore of Enchantment as well as a tour only record Travelall.
At the end of 2000, Burns and Convertino joined with two French friends Naïm Amor and Thomas Belhôm to record "Tête A Tête" (Wabana Records, 2001) released under moniker ABBC (Amor/Belhom/Burns/Convertino). Calexico released two collections of rarities during 2001. Even My Sure Things Fall Through collected outtakes from previous albums, B-sides, remixes and material previously unreleased in the US. The album also featured Mariachi Luz de Luna who frequently played live with the duo. The Aerocalexico album was sold exclusively at their gigs in 2001.
The Scraping live album was released in 2002. Their next studio recording Feast of Wire was released in 2003 and made the charts for the first time appearing on Billboard's Heatseekers and Independent album chart. They made their first video for "Quattro (World Drifts In)" which was a single from Feast of Wire. They released a live DVD in 2004 called World Drifts In: Live at the Barbican. The song "Güero Canelo", from Feast of Wire, was featured in Michael Mann's Film, Collateral, starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx, in which the band appears.
Calexico contributed the song "Burnin' Down the Spark" to Nancy Sinatra's self-titled album in late 2004. The album featured artists who cited Sinatra as a musical influence. The song was released in the UK as the second single from the album in early 2005.
In 2005, Calexico joined up with Miami-based band Iron & Wine. Howard Greynolds of Overcoat Records was responsible for bringing the two bands together having previously been responsible for Tortoise and Will Oldham recording together. The In the Reins EP was released in September 2005 and received a positive reception with an MSNBC review giving it honorable mention. It also made an appearance in the Billboard 200 album charts, becoming their first recording to make the album charts, and No. 12 on the independent charts. In October 2005, they commenced a US tour with Iron & Wine to promote the record.
Released in 2006, Garden Ruin is Calexico's fifth studio album and was produced by JD Foster. The sound strays slightly from earlier works, focusing less on the horn section, and placing more emphasis on guitar and vocal tracks, giving the whole album a more mainstream sound.
In 2007, Calexico was invited by Arcade Fire to record a cover of their "Ocean of Noise." This recording was used as the B-side for Arcade Fire's "Intervention" single, originally released on vinyl on May 21, 2007. Also in 2007, Calexico recorded a revamped version of the Bob Dylan song "Goin' to Acapulco" for the Dylan biopic "I'm Not There". The song featured Jim James of My Morning Jacket on vocals and was featured on the soundtrack of the film.
Several of Calexico's songs, usually their shorter instrumental pieces, have been used as interstitial and background music on Public Radio International's This American Life. Their songs "Ballad Of Cable Hogue" and "Service And Repair" were featured in the 2001 German comedy movie Lammbock.
Their sixth studio LP is called 'Carried to Dust', featuring Sam Beam of Iron & Wine, Douglas McCombs of Tortoise and Pieta Brown. It was released in the USA via Touch & Go Records on September 9, 2008. The album enjoyed solid reviews, with hometown paper the Arizona Daily Star praising the band's "ability to sweep you into its world, taking listeners to the American Southwest. This is one of the reasons Europeans love Calexico and others in this country are beginning to come around."
On October 16, 2008, a three-song live acoustic video performance premiered on LiveDaily Sessions, featuring Joey Burns performing the songs "Two Silver Trees," "Writer's Minor Holiday" and "Man Made Lake".
In 2009, the song Banderilla was featured in an episode of AMC's Breaking Bad.
In 2010, a new album of Calexico was released: the soundtrack of the documentary "Circo". The band also spent part of 2010 touring with Arcade Fire along the west US coast.
In May 2011, their song "Slowness" was dedicated by Gabrielle Giffords to her husband astronaut Mark Kelly as the wake up song aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its final flight.
Algiers was released 11 September 2012 on ANTI Records and CITY SLANG (Europe).
In April 2014, the band began referring to a new album on Twitter in posts from Mexico City, Coyoacan, Mexico, and Athens, Greece. Edge of the Sun was announced on 27 January 2015, and released on April 14, 2015. The album features guest appearances by various artists such as Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), Gaby Moreno, Carla Morrison and members of the Greek instrumental group Takim.
The current members of Calexico are:
Joey Burns – vocals, guitars, bass, cello, piano, keyboards, accordion, percussion, vibraphone
John Convertino – drums, percussion, piano, keyboards, vibraphone, marimba, accordion
Paul Niehaus – steel guitar, guitars
Jacob Valenzuela – trumpet, keyboards, vibraphone, vocals
Martin Wenk – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, accordion, glockenspiel, vibraphone, theremin (occasionally harmonica & French horn)
Volker Zander – standup bass, electric bass
Live tour 2013:
Joey Burns - vocals, guitars
John Convertino - drums, percussion
Sergio Mendoza - Keyboards
Jairo Zavala - bazouki, baritone guitar, vocals
Jacob Valenzuela – trumpet, keyboards, vibraphone, vocals
Martin Wenk – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, accordion, glockenspiel, vibraphone (occasionally harmonica & French horn)
Ryan Alfred - bass, vocals
Fortune Teller
Calexico Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That’s when they caught me heading down
Keep on going don’t look away
That’s what they tell me, that’s what they say
You’re a pretty thought I suppose
I’m just trying to hold up as I go
And one day I swear I’ll spread my wings
It wasn’t just me playing those games
Still it’s my own fault just the same
I opened up, I let you in
Now these crystal fields are wearing thin
I’m walking with the fortune teller
I can see my own way home
But I don’t like this dark road anymore
And I don’t wanna be alone for long
Don’t wanna be alone for long
I don’t wanna be on this dark road alone
The lyrics to Calexico’s “Fortune Teller” are vivid and introspective, exploring themes of uncertainty, regret, and the search for meaning. The opening lines describe the singer as standing and turning around, only to be caught heading down a path that they cannot look away from. “That’s what they tell me, that’s what they say,” suggests a sense of resignation to a fate that is beyond their control.
The second verse acknowledges the singer’s struggles with their own sense of self-worth, admitting that they are just trying to hold up as they go. Despite this, there is a resolve to move forward towards "finer things." The third verse brings the singer’s emotional turmoil to the forefront, as they grapple with feelings of betrayal and a loss of trust. They have let someone in, only for their trust to be violated and for their world to come crashing down around them.
The chorus introduces the idea of a "fortune teller" who is leading the singer back towards home. However, the singer expresses doubt in this path, stating that they don't like the dark road and they don't want to be alone for long. The repetition of this phrase adds to the weight of the singer's emotional turmoil and their desire for human connection.
Overall, the lyrics to “Fortune Teller” are a cautionary tale of the dangers of giving into uncertainty and the unknown. It's a plea for a sense of comfort and connection, even in the midst of darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
I was just standing turning around
I was aimlessly wandering, lost and unsure.
That’s when they caught me heading down
That's when I hit rock bottom.
Keep on going don’t look away
I must keep pressing forward, without stopping or looking back.
That’s what they tell me, that’s what they say
This advice is a common refrain that those around me repeat.
You’re a pretty thought I suppose
The idea of me is attractive, but uncertain in reality.
I’m just trying to hold up as I go
I'm struggling to keep myself together as I journey on.
And one day I swear I’ll spread my wings
I dream of a day when I will finally be free to fly and fulfill my potential.
I’m on my way to finer things
I am making progress towards a better life, with greater opportunities and rewards.
It wasn’t just me playing those games
I wasn't solely responsible for the situation or problems at hand.
Still it’s my own fault just the same
Despite this, I acknowledge my role and responsibility in the events that transpired.
I opened up, I let you in
I allowed someone to get close to me, to see my vulnerabilities and inner self.
Now these crystal fields are wearing thin
But the relationship or bond has become fragile and unsustainable.
I’m walking with the fortune teller
I am seeking guidance or wisdom from someone who purports to have supernatural insight.
I can see my own way home
I have a sense of direction or purpose, and know where I ultimately belong.
But I don’t like this dark road anymore
However, the current path or journey is difficult and distressing.
And I don’t wanna be alone for long
I yearn for companionship and support during this trying time.
Don’t wanna be alone for long
I fear being isolated or abandoned, and wish to connect with others.
I don’t wanna be on this dark road alone
This journey feels endless and hopeless, and I desperately need help and comfort.
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOEY BURNS, PIETA BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
valverdista
"But I don’t like this dark road anymore And I don’t want to be alone for long" Brilliant, so simple but so true!
Stennis
"..and one day i swear i'll spread my wings i'm on my way to finer things.." Just perfect.
David Opdyke
My favorite from the new album (there's also a couple great live versions floating around YT, on with just Joey and John... it's still a gorgeous song even when totally stripped down!)
Alberto Rigotti
WELL DONE BOYS !!!
xJoepieJee
I'm so glad I discovered this band :D
Kyle Heffernan
WOW. simply amazing. I cant stop listening.<3
Orapan Suthisom
Kyle Heff
Linkin parp
HDXBear
Outstanding Gentlemen outstanding Well done
Scourge Of The Sagebrush Scumrob
I love this song man
fatfriarmusic
In regards to the idea this is similar to The Shins 'New Slang' I do hear the similarity musically yet the vibe each song creates is an entirely different mood. The Shins have a more Marcy Playground weirdness to them...kind of a psychedelic, college kids angst thing whereas Calexico capture a sweet, longing vibe in their song...something I more readily relate to.