Two Chances to See Califone in NYC this Week!

If you’re going to be in New York City this week, you’ve got two chances to see Califone! As part of the prestigious New York Guitar Festival, Califone will debut their original film score to Buster Keaton’s Go West. See it live one night only this Thursday, January 19th at Merkin Concert Hall; this will truly be a unique opportunity to see Califone. Show details HERE.

When asked about the opportunity to create the film score, Tim Rutili (of Califone) said, “Califone scoring music for a Buster Keaton film makes almost too much sense. We will try to capture the inner stillness and the outer chaos on Buster’s migration west. Perfect.” The Silent Films/Live Guitar series celebrates the excellence of chosen guitarists. In pairing these artists with a silent film, each is given the opportunity to create a soundtrack out of their own diverse and innovative backgrounds.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Califone will play a second show at Littlefield the following evening, Friday, January 20th. Gem Club will open! View show details HERE.

Califone Plays Pickathon, Tours West Coast in August

better angels from Califone on Vimeo.

Califone will play the Pickathon Music Festival outside Portland, OR August 5-7 and will follow their festival appearance with a trek down the west coast. Check out full dates below and the band’s latest video for “Better Angels” from their most recent release All My Friends Are Funeral Singers above.

08/05/11 Happy Valley, OR- Pickathon
08/06/11 Happy Valley, OR- Pickathon
08/07/11 Happy Valley, OR- Pickathon
08/09/11 Vancouver, BC- Biltmore Cabaret
08/10/11 Seattle, WA- The Crocodile Cafe
08/12/11 San Francisco, CA- Bottom of the Hill
08/14/11 Los Angeles, CA- Satellite Club
08/15/11 San Diego, CA- Casbah

Califone Share “Better Angels” Video

better angels from Califone on Vimeo.

This video originally appeared as an extra on the DVD edition of the film All My Friends Are Funeral Singers. Using footage culled from film screenings and a live performance at the Mohawk at SXSW 2010, director Kevin Ford weaves together the surreal images of the film with a raucous set from the band. It feels like opium drenched dream sequence of the band and film blurring into one.

Califone Score Music For PBS Mini-series “The Calling”

Califone recently completed a score for the upcoming PBS mini-series The Calling, which airs on December 20th and 21st. Watch the trailer above and clip below, and you will hear a score that is unmistakably Califone, their psychedelic blues-folk providing the subtle soundtrack. Find out more info about the mini-series at The Calling website.

Watch the full episode. See more Independent Lens.

Califone Release New Video for “Giving Away The Bride”

All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, Califone’s most recent album opens with a deconstruction called “Giving Away The Bride.” Deep gutteral tones open the song like some lost leviathan rising from the depths. Slowly more elements are introduced often distorted to begin with, but slowly shaking off the murk and muck as the song progresses. Three minutes in a piano finally breaks through like the sun peaking out from behind the clouds. It’s simple and understated, but cast against the other elements of the song the piano rings with stark clarity, creating a juxtaposition of deep and infinite beauty. Today we’re happy to share a new video for “Giving Away The Bride.” Directed by Amy Cargill, the video weaves together a carefully edited collage of test signals, grainy video clips, animations, textures, sculptures, shapes and patterns. Once again, simple elements are activated in such away that they move beyond their normal limitations and given a purpose greater than their individual parts.

For those of you in the Bay Area, Califone will be taking up residence there in October. October 16-17 Califone will be participating in the Mill Valley Film Festival (specific show times and details TBA) and October 18 Califone will perform at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco.