The day of the Calexico show in Los Angeles last week was a strange one for me. I felt kind of mentally disconnected all day, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to really concentrate and enjoy their show.

What a sillyhead I was.

I got there early and brought my PSP so I had something to do while waiting in line. There was a bit of a mix up over my tickets and photo pass, but once that was resolved, I was set. I got a spot right in front of the stage, right in the center. I sat down and started playing my PSP again while waiting for the show to start.

The venue, the Henry Fonda Theater, is one I’d never been to before. They have a strict no-camera policy, so I was glad I’d arranged for a photo pass beforehand. When the first band, Black Heart Procession, came on, the security informed me I couldn’t take photos from behind the barrier, I had to take them in front of the barrier (and only for the first three songs of each band, which is typical for venues that don’t allow cameras unless you have a photo pass). So I lost my great front-and-center spot. After snapping pics of the opening band, I headed to the back of the venue where there were some stairs I could stand on to see over people’s heads. The place was small enough that I still had a decent view—I’m just short and can’t see anything if I have to stand on the floor level.

I’d heard good things about Black Heart Procession but didn’t know what they sounded like. They were very slow. And mellow. And slow. The first song featured a saw, which made a really eerie, wailing sound. It was cool.

I’m sure I would’ve enjoyed them more if I had been familiar with their songs. But I thought they set a nice tone for the evening, even if it was rather dark.

The other opener was Salvador Duran. He was originally billed as playing first, but the venue listing had him as second, and when I saw that, I thought, maybe Calexico will be his backing band. Duran has sung on one of Calexico’s records, and he just toured Europe with them. But Joey Burns, Calexico’s singer, only came out to introduce him.

I’m not sure how to descibe him—but he played an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, and stood on a wooden platform so he could stomp his boots to make beats. I’m not very familiar with Latin music, but it seemed very flamenco-like to me. His voice was rich and full and he was really something to see.

He played three songs, and then Calexico came out and they all played a song together, “Roka.”

I don’t know if I could’ve chosen a better setlist for the night. They did a lot of my favorite older songs. And the new songs they did from their recent album, Garden Ruin, are even better live than on the record. Particularly
“Lucky Dime,” which is probably my least favorite on the album. Loved it live.

Older songs they did include “Across the Wire,” “Sunken Waltz,” “Stray,” “El Picador,” “Not Even Stevie Nicks…,” “Black Heart,” and “Alone Again Or” (which is a Love cover).

“Stevie Nicks” and “Black Heart” are both particular favorites of mine, and it was almost surreal when they did them back to back. Both songs contain some of my favorite lines:

“With a head like a vulture
And heart full of hornets
He drives off the cliff
And into the blue”

and

“One man’s close pursuit is another man’s last chance”

Last time I saw them, with Iron and Wine, they did what in my opinion is the best song on the new album, “All Systems Red,” but it was before the album had come out. It was even better this time since I knew the song. It starts out all quiet and kinda sad and builds into this huge chaotic wall of sound, with three guitars, and I found myself thinking “It takes a special person to write a song like this,” and then a bit later, “It’s like the whole world is falling apart all around us.”

After “All Systems Red,” Salvador came out to join them for one more song, and then they left the stage for the encore break. They did a couple more songs, one with Salvador that he wrote, and the night was over. I wanted it to keep going for a couple more hours at least.

---

I was able to email some interview questions to Joey Burns last month while they were on tour in Europe. (Special thanks to Jen Martinez for her input on the questions.) Here are his replies…

I’ve enjoyed Joey’s posts on the Calexico myspace blog, and it’s made me wonder what other types of artistic or creative endeavors the band members may have. Are there any?

JB: Well. let’s see…John has a family of three kids. That’s the most creative and the most rewarding gift as well. Volker Zander is starting a record label called Apparent Extent. Jelle Kuiper and James Murray work for Sigur Ros doing front of house sound and lighting respectively. Martin Wenk plays with some other bands. Paul Niehaus plays with some other bands as well. Jacob Valenzuela sometimes sits in with a local mariachi band in Tucson and has done some movie soundtrack work. As for other creative outlets, we have been asked recently to play some tracks on a Gotan Project song “Amor Porteño” and were filmed playing along with the track for their upcoming live shows and production. There is talk of doing a collaboration with members of The Notwist in honor of German indie label, Haus Musik celebrating their 15th anniversary.

You guys are often inviting guests to play with you on stage–what exactly do you enjoy most about that? (Is there anyone in the indie world you don’t know?)

JB: Playing with guests is always a pleasure. They are always special each and every one of them. I suppose the gift of sharing music is what brings us to these moments and collaborations. We are fans of the music. It seems to be what propels us and the music.

Who would you like to play with that you haven’t yet had a chance to?

JB: Lhasa. Manu Chao. Really looking forward to the idea of working with The Notwist.

I’ve read several interviews where Joey Burns has said that Europe is much more embracing of Calexico’s music than America. Why do you think that is?

JB: must be that un-pasteurized cheese.

Is there a difference between European audiences and US audiences?

JB: There’s always differences everywhere you travel. This is what makes it interesting for us to be on the road and meeting musicians, audiences, clubs. Those places with active and creative communities always stand out.

Who did you listen to when growing up? And what music are you currently listening to?

JB: Grew up listening to my older brothers’ records. Led Zeppelin, REM, Queen, Starz, Kiss, Ozzy, Pink Floyd, early Peter Gabriel, Ice House. My parents’ albums and 45′s: Beatles, Stones, Nat King Cole, Everly Brothers, Chubby Checker, Miles Davis, Maynard Fergusson, Jesus Christ Superstar, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin. There was a lot of music played in the house; piano, guitars, but no drums allowed. I tuned into local radio like KXLU and KROCK in Los Angeles and went to go see bands like the Minutemen.

Currently listening to Yann Tiersen, Dominique A, Death Vessel, Band of Horses, Marianne Dissard, Tied and Tickled Trio, John Fahey, Lisa Germano, Nico, Talk Talk, Field Music. Watching the full concert performance of Miles Davis and band at the Isle of Wight festival on DVD.

What is your guilty pleasure (musically)?

JB: Icicle Works

Much has been said about your recent album, Garden Ruin, being a departure for you. I feel like it is actually just coming full circle back to Spoke. Given the variety of musical influences and styles on your previous albums, why do you think that people are so surprised by this one?

JB: I kind of agree with you on the cyclical nature of things on this new album. I don’t think about these things too much. Just write and record the music and keep moving.

Were you consciously trying to make this album more accessible?

JB: no, just trying new things in the studio, both in terms of recording, writing and mixing.

Do you feel like the songs are more centered around the vocals on this album compared to others?

JB: i suppose the vocals are up louder than before on some of the mixes but not all.

The song “All Systems Red” seems to sum up how I think a lot of people are feeling these days. How do you feel about the current political climate in America, and what do you think of the recent immigration protests in particular?

JB: I think a lot of people are frustrated in general with the way things are heading politically, socially, environmentally. The same can be said for other countries too. Time to check more than one source for news.

Thanks for your time!

Thank you too.

best wishes from Zagreb

Joey

---

Current Calexico tour dates are available on their website, here. Highly recommended!