Calexico have just announced a new festive album Seasonal Shift, due Dec 4th via City Slang. Speaking about the first track from the record entitled “Hear the Bells“, Joey Burns of Calexico said “When writing songs for a seasonal album, I wanted to include some of the aspects of celebrations and traditions observed in Tucson around early November. This song is about holding time and space for memories. Dia de Los 
Muertos and The All Souls Procession are two events that have influenced Southern Arizona and remembering those who’ve passed away. But it could also be about giving memories importance, too. The story could be about two lovers or two family members.”
Seasonal Shift is less of a Christmas album and more of a cross cultural seasonal celebration. The themes are based around that familiar end of year feeling, of reflection, of ceremony and of recognition of the year gone by. It contains a few cover songs including classics by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Tom Petty and a few more special guests
Reflecting on the album, Joey Burns says, “It’s more of a seasonal album and like all seasons they are about change and how those changes in the world resonate inside of you. I never thought this would have gone the way that it did. We were aiming to record a 6 song EP and we kept going. I guess I never thought I would be on permanent hibernation mode either, but I’m super happy and extremely grateful.”
Seasonal Shift can be pre ordered here on different formats, including a limited edition vinyl via Rough Trade.
Photo credit: Piper Ferguson
