The winding journey that led Joey Burns and John Convertino to become Calexico perfectly encapsulates their unique sound. Initially meeting and performing with Howe Gelb in Americana roots band Giant Sand, Burns and Convertino experimented with a few different projects, including a stint as post-rock group Friends of Dean Martinez. Their debut was initially released under the moniker Spoke, but they soon changed their name to Calexico, garnering critical acclaim with their sophomore LP The Black Light, and establishing the Tex-Mex-meets-indie-rock sound that still defines them today.