They’re straight out of the desert, willing to pass the mic, andthey’re not ashamed of loving their label. Arizona’s Calexico wearstheir heart sewn to their plaid sleeves. Calexico started out as atwo-piece folk duo in the mid 90’s featuring Joey Burns on Guitar andVocals and John Convertino on drums. Over the years they’ve expandedtheir sound and added several multi-instrumentalists to their line-up,but Burns and Convertino have remained the guiding creative forces.

Following in the wake of a successful Iron and Wine/Calexicocollaboration album, the duo have gotten the urge to mix it up again.On their newest release, Carried to Dust (out Sept. 9th), the bandinvites some friends to sing along. I recently got a chance to talk to Joey Burns about the new album and whatever else happened to be on his mind.

So you guys have done a lot of work over the last few years, bothlive and in the studio. Would you consider yourselves studio bodies ordo you prefer the live element?
Hmmm, good question. I like ‘em both a lot. I think, in some ways onthis new record, that kind of live energy and the spirit ofcollaborations that we’ve done on tours is embodied. It’s a first forus having a record with so many guest vocalist positions

Yeah, I was going to ask you about that. What’s your philosophy oncollaboration? Is it a “the more the merrier” take or do you guys liketo keep to a group of close-knit friends?
We definitely like keeping it open. But there’s that balance where youdon’t just throw open the windows and say “Oh, just do whatever.” Thereis still keeping the aesthetic in the right place.
Collaboration seems to be a new trend in rock and roll. It started inHip Hop and now there is barely as much as seven degrees of separationbetween any two bands. Yeah. I think it’s only natural for musicians.The industry likes to keep things more compartmentalized or clearlydefined and separated. Musicians tend to naturally gravitate toward oneanother regardless of whatever genre. I’ve always liked that about HipHop records where there is like a guest on each and every song. t’sgetting easier with Internet file sharing.

Speakingof which, a lot of bands have been releasing albums independently overthe Internet recently. Is that something Calexico would be interestedin doing?
I like having a record company for those major releases. It’s reallynice having someone in Chicago at Touch & Go records. I like havingthat kind of connection and association over the long term. We’ve beenworking with Touch & Go now since ’97-’98. The primary people stillwork there and love what they do. They have a lot of valuableexperience.

It definitely sounds like you guys have a nice healthy relationship with your label.
Yeah for sure, they’re great. I’m wearing the t-shirt right now for the 25th anniversary for Touch & Go records.

Wow. Well I’ll throw that in as a shout out. Anyway, the first stopon your tour is Dublin (Sept. 10th). Is there any reasoning behindthat, or is that just where the dart landed on the map?
I think it’s because we wanted to start off playing some UK dates, butwe love playing Dublin. I wish we could play more dates in Ireland. Wealways have a good connection playing in Ireland, and we’re playing ina different place this time.

Where are you playing?
At Tripod. We’ve never played therebefore. A friend of mine, Dave O’Grady who runs independent Records,really likes the place. One of my favorite places is and will always beWhelans. That place just oozes soul. It’s got a great vibe there.

Do you feel you guys are moving away from the traditional Calexico southwestern sound?
Ican never really tell what we’re moving away from and what we’re movingtoward. We’re always moving. For me, the idea of perspective is a toughquestion to answer. The records are kind of the book ends, but there isa lot of music, concerts, and performances in between that really makeup the body of what we do. The live shows carry us to see other placesand to be inspired by other people. We’re continuously looking for newinfluences or instruments and adopting them into our musical make-up.Our DNA is constantly changing.

Would you say that the addition of these new elements is what breaks new ground for you on Carried to Dust?
Could be. Ya know, there’s not much mandolin on this record, but there is Chinese guqin (laughs).

Interview by Ben Nelson - writing all the way from the U.S of A. 

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