New documentary studies the music of Tucson, spotlights Calexico

In a strange turn of events, the commencement of Calexico's upcoming border tour (Saturday, December 2) in Tucson closely coincides with Chicago's debut of High and Dry," an independent film documenting the local music that has made Tucson a touchstone for independent music in North America. The film is scheduled to screen twice, once on Sunday, December 3 at 5:15pm and Thursday, December 7 at 8pm at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, less than seven miles from the top secret location of Touch and Go / Quarterstick Records offices, Calexico's record label! Weird, eh?

Upstairs Film co-founder Michael Toubassi directs this feature-length documentary "paying tribute to the influential and eclectic community of musicians that has emerged from Tucson, Arizona during the past 20 years." The film includes extensives interviews and performances of bands that have repeatedly directed the national spotlight toward Tucson and its enduring music community. Artists who appear in the film include Calexico, Howe Gelb/Giant Sand, Al Perry, Rainer Ptacek, The Supersuckers, Bob Log III of Doo Rag and others. For more details, please visit www.siskelfilmcenter.org or www.highanddrymovie.com. If you're in Chicago, we hope you can make it out!