Pitchfork

It's official: Calexico has officially become one of those "cool bands that sorta uncool bands hire as opening acts." Though there's no word yet on a new proper album-- it's been two years since Feast of Wire, after all, and a year since the Convict Pool EP-- Joey Burns and the boys are heading back out on the road, first to play a trio of SXSW shows, and then providing support for the Ozomatli/Los Lonely Boys big-shed hoedown. We bet that "Alone Again Or" cover's gonna sound fabulous in an amphitheater. Dates:

03-17 Austin, TX - Jovita's day party (SXSW)
03-18 Austin, TX - Emo's day party (SXSW)
03-18 Austin, TX - Antone's (SXSW)
05-03 Hidalgo, TX - Dodge Arena #
05-04 Austin, TX - The Backyard #
05-05 San Angelo, TX - Riverstage #
05-06 El Paso, TX - El Paso Coliseum #
05-07 Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Amphitheatre #
05-08 Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater #
06-17 Lawrence, KS - Wakarusa Festival
06-18 Lawrence, KS - Wakarusa Festival
07-14 New York, NY Battery Park - Castle Clinton

# With Ozomatli, Los Lonely Boys

However, if you've heard LLBs' "Heaven" enough for one lifetime, there are a couple of Calexico-related releases milling about: The band contributed a track to Nancy Sinatra's 2004 comeback album, and have collaborated with Iron & Wine on a seven-song EP, to be titled Lays in the Reigns, slated for a fall release on Overcoat. Finally, Calexico have contributed a cover of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" to, yes, a Starbucks CD of covers entitled Love Songs. Everyone's gotta eat.