Contest: Calexico, July 6th, Mod Club

On behalf of Canadians nation-wide, I want to thank Calexico for running the Canadian festivals gamut this summer with stops at fests in Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Calgary on this, their bazillionth tour during a very lengthy and successful career. The band will be roadtesting material from their upcoming album Carried to Dust, due out in early September.

Apart from the festival frenzy, they'll be making a stop in Toronto at the Mod Club on July 6th, and Le National in Montreal the night after. And, thanks to ATG, we've got a pair of tickets to give away for the Toronto date. To enter, email us before 12 noon on July 5th with the subject line "Carried to Calexico".

Given their reputation as an eclectic and electric live performance, I suspect that this one just may sell out. So get your emails in, kiddies.

Calexico - Sunken Waltz (from 2003's Feast of Wire)

Calexico w/ Iron & Wine - Sixteen, Maybe Less (from 2005's collaborative EP In the Reins)

Calexico - Lucky Dime (from 2006's Garden Ruin)

- bbbykmbrly.

Remix Sunday: Calexico vs. Arcade Fire

Under normal circumstances, covering the Arcade Fire is a big no-no. However, Calexico's take on 'Ocean of Noise' turns out to be a huge yes-yes as they do their thing with typically gentle instrumentation and a multitude o' horns. The track builds from the simplicity of an acoustic guitar backing Joey Burns' sorrowful vocals to a full and powerful composition equalling the tragic grandeur of the original.

This little beauty was the B-side for the Arcade Fire's Intervention 7" single released here in the UK way back in May. Enjoy.

Calexico - Ocean of Noise

- a.m.p.m.

New Iron & Wine: The Shepherd's Dog

A week ago today, Iron & Wine (a.k.a. Sam Beam) officially released his third album The Shepherd's Dog on Sub Pop Records. Like Iron & Wine albums of yore, The Shepherd’s Dog is filled with tracks featuring beautiful harmonies, lush instrumentation, and gently-told tales edged with melancholy. First single 'Boy With A Coin' has been particularly well received; my favourite track at the moment is 'Carousel'.

If you enjoy Sam Beam's solo work it would be well worth your while to check out the Iron & Wine/Calexico collab In The Reins.

- a.m.p.m.

Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin

Iron & Wine - Carousel

Iron & Wine - Innocent Bones