Joanna Grammy-winning artist Dave Alvin and Grammy nominee Jimmie Dale Gilmore have been called an “unexpected example of twin brothers from another mother” (LA Times). Alvin, a Los Angeles punk-roots pioneer in The Blasters, and Gilmore, a founding member of West Texas’ groundbreaking cosmic country trio The Flatlanders joined together in 2017 for what they thought was a one-off tour, that instead turned into the chart-topping collaborative debut album Downey To Lubbock. These folk heroes have now evolved their unbreakable bond into a fully-fledged musical and songwriting partnership. Today they celebrate the announcement of TexiCali, a brand new studio album out June 21 via Yep Roc Records, with the aptly-titled first single “We’re Still Here.” Behind blistering blues licks, Alvin and Gilmore recount the road that’s brought them to TexiCali – from wild nights at Houston’s dearly-departed Allen Park Inn, to fateful run-ins with clueless record company men and harrowing drives down one way streets.
Pre-Order TexiCali: https://ffm.to/texicali
The eleven tracks on TexiCali double as a roadtrip across Alvin and Gilmore’s beloved home states and the memories within, honoring shared musical influences, friends gone too soon and all they’ve endured along the way. Two of Americana’s most celebrated storytellers, the pair now elevate their partnership from touring to recording to songwriting, with TexiCali incorporating more original work and collaborations than ever before. Together they reflect on experiences like touring the country via train with Roots On The Rails, working with contemporaries like Terry Allen and Butch Hancock, and formative shows from blues legends like Brownie McGhee at Los Angeles’ Ash Grove (frequented by both Dave and Jimmie, unbeknownst to them at the time).
Forging a remarkable new chapter in “poetic geographical autobiography” (Austin American Statesman), Alvin and Gilmore build on a close-knit partnership that’s already brought them a Billboard #1 blues album, a spotlight on CNN and the friendship of a lifetime. They’ll bring TexiCali on the road beginning this July for the “We’re Still Here Tour” with Alvin’s longtime band The Guilty Ones, kicking off with nine shows across California. A full list of dates is below with many more to be added soon.
