LISTEN: Calexico, “Wash (La Luz Brilliante)”

Artist: Calexico
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Song: “Wash (La Luz Brilliante)”
Album: Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors
Release Date: November 5, 2021
Label: Fort Lowell Records

Editor’s Note: All proceeds from Luz de Vida sales and fundraising efforts will go toward services for advocacy, support, and emergency assistance for families impacted by homicide.

In Their Words: “I’ve had friends and family members who have been directly affected by gun violence. We need to find some kind of solution to gun violence and improve the situation here in our community, Southern Arizona, and nationwide. I’m friends with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Senator Mark Kelly and their work on this issue has been vital, not to mention inspiring. So when I was asked to be involved with the second incarnation of Luz de Vida, it was an emphatic ‘Yes!’ I chose to re-record an old song called ‘Wash,’ which was on our first album Spoke. The song was inspired by the spaciousness of the Sonoran desert as well as its healing quality. The second verse deals with embracing death and seeing it as not necessarily a bad thing but something that happens in life which we can choose to give negative energy or we can look at it in a more positive light. We are all searching for meaning on our own unique path in life; this song touches on these themes.” — Joey Burns, Calexico

Fort Lowell Records · Calexico "Wash (La Luz Brillante)"

Photo Courtesy of the Artist

LISTEN: Hey, King!, “Get Up”

Artist: Hey, King!
Hometown: Ontario, Canada and Tucson, Arizona
Song: “Get Up”
Album: Hey, King!
Release Date: April 2, 2021
Label: ANTI-

In Their Words: “I feel like every serious, emotionally raw album can use a breath of lightness. When Taylor dared me to write a song from our dogs’ perspective I thought it would be a fun experiment, but we fell in love with the track and are so happy it made it on the record!” — Natalie London, Hey, King!


Photo credit: Richard Fournier

BGS Wraps: Calexico, “Hear the Bells”

Artist: Calexico
Song: “Hear the Bells”
Album: Seasonal Shift
Release Date:
December 4, 2020

In Their Words: “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.” — Joey Burns, Calexico