Today, Calexico and Iron & Wine share the gorgeous second single from their upcoming album, Years to Burn, entitled “Midnight Sun.” In “Midnight Sun,” Calexico’s Joey Burns and Sam Beam of Iron & Wine trade haunted-sounding verses over shimmering steel until the song devolves into a corrosive electric lead from Burns, like a dying siren. The video makes use of over 100 paintings Beam did for the creation of the new album’s cover. Working with animator Jonny Sanders, the video brings to life in a spirited and fun way, the many images of Burns, Beam and Calexico drummer John Convertino. Watch the video HERE.
Years to Burn is their first full–length album together and will be available June 14th via City Slang in the UK/Europe. Of the track, Joey Burns says “Sam sent some demos the week before we met to record the album. Based on the feel of those demos, I wrote the song “Midnight Sun” the day I got to Nashville. I arrived at our rental house the day before everyone else and was happy to find a piano, old pump organ and guitar to do some writing. I was up late and came up with a tune that would bridge both bands’ worlds. I started with a drone in F# and was curious as to where it would take me.”
Calexico and Iron & Wine previously shared the lead single off of the album, called “Father Mountain”. Listen to “Father Mountain” HERE. The two will head out on an extensive North American, European, and UK tour this summer through the fall. These shows will have the two sharing the stage for one-of-a-kind performances, focusing on music from Years to Burn, their previous EP together, In the Reins, as well as surprise covers and classics from each bands’ catalog. All tour dates can be found below.