Tucson, Arizona indie rockers Calexico have released a brand-new track entitled “Harness The Wind”, and have also announced a series of North American tour dates in June. The band will also be embarking on an EU tour in March, with one UK stop at O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. You can listen to “Harness the Wind” below, and ticket information for the band’s upcoming shows can be found here.
The new single has been unveiled ahead of the band’s 10th studio album El Mirador, and features vocals from Sam Beam of Iron and Wine. Singer Joey Burns said of the song, according to a recent press release: “When we recorded “Harness the Wind” it felt like we tapped into a spark of bright light and positivity…Everything fell together quickly and naturally. With the shiny electric guitar weaving in and out of John and Sergio’s propelling drums and bass, the song always had a vibe that stood out from the other songs. We sent the tracks to Sam Beam to add his vocals on the chorus which made the tune float even more. It’s a song about hope and sharing compassion to fellow travelers and dreamers who are trying to find their way.”
Burns and drummer John Convertino have been performing together for over 30 years, with the two originally meeting at The University of California, Irvine. The duo’s first musical collaboration was with the group Giant Sand, in which Convertino was playing drums prior to the two meeting. Fast forward to many years later, Calexico is still breaking new ground. El Mirador has been described in a recent press release as display a “sunnier side of the band, cutting through two years of pandemic fog with a blast of danceable optimism.”
The record was written alongside Sergio Mendoza (keys, accordion, percussion). The album delves deep into the band’s influences, particularly cumbia, mariachi and the myriad sounds that are present in the Southwest United States. Mendoza said of his partnership with Convertino and Burns in a recent press release: “I’ve been playing with Calexico for about 15 years, and I admire Joey and John’s constant search for new sounds… “After so many albums,” he adds “I’m really proud we were able to achieve something so fresh together.”
The full track list for El Mirador can be seen below, and you can pre-order the album here.
1). El Mirador
2). Harness the Wind
3). Cumbia Peninsula
4). Then You Might See
5). Cumbia del Polvo
6). El Paso
7). The El Burro Song
8). Liberada
9). Turquoise
10). Constellation
11). Rancho Azul
12). Caldera
