Calexico Fall News

After a busy year of touring the States and Europe, Calexico has announced several new tour dates in December to round out the year.

Dec 2 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre (w/ Annuals)
Dec 3 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad (w/ Annuals)
Dec 4 - Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre (w/ Annuals)
Dec 5 - Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse (w/ Annuals)
Dec 7 - Santa Barbara, CA @ SOHO Restaurant and Music Club w/ Annuals
Dec 8 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore (supporting Los Lobos)
Dec 9 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore (supporting Los Lobos)

The Tucson show on December 2 continues Calexico's annual tradition of throwing a year-end hometown benefit concert. A portion of the proceeds will go to KXCI, a local community-sponsored radio station. Proceeds will also go to Humane Borders who, along with other organizations like No More Deaths and Border Angels, offer humanitarian assistance to those in need through more than 70 emergency water stations on or near the US - Mexico border, ultimately trying to quell the hundreds of deaths every year in the Arizona desert due to dehydration.

Calexico has been hailed a "border band," transcending boundaries and genres with their unique blend of US and Latin styles. Politically, the band feels just as strongly about the people of the region as they do the sounds. "The issue is a complex one," explains Joey Burns. "And now with President Bush signing the bill that would build a massive wall between the two countries, the problems will undoubtedly become more severe and horrifying."

A representative from Humane Borders will be at all Calexico's headlining Southwestern shows to answer questions or provide insight into their cause. Also, the tour as a whole will be presented in association with Music for America, an organization connecting concert-goers with social justice organizations and political issues they might not be aware of both nationally and in their own local communities.

The last two shows on the tour bring Calexico back to the lovely Fillmore Theater in San Francisco, supporting one of their favorite groups, Los Lobos. "They have long been a musical inspiration, covering so many different styles of music, utilizing eclectic instrumentation and providing some of the most memorable concerts. Although we've played many festivals together like Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, this will be the first time that we share the same stage and venue together," says Burns. "I can't think of a better way to round out the year than to play two shows with Los Lobos. I am sure that both sets each night will be completely different and who knows what musical collaborations may unfold between the two bands and musical friends from the area."

For more information on the organizations and issues mentioned above, check out the following links:
Humane Borders website
Music for America website
Tucson author, Charles Bowden's recent feature on border crossing issues in Mother Jones Magazine

Check out the special online pre-sale for the Southwest shows at ducatking.com. Each ticket purchased here comes with a free mp3 download of an unreleased acoustic version of 'Deep Down.' All tickets are on sale now!