Calexico established himself on the American independent rock scene as a collective of musicians, but always centered on two members, Joey Burns and John Convertino. Formed in 1996 in the city of Tucson, Arizona, the group has its music linked to alternative country, but with several influences from genres such as jazz, post-rock and Latin music.

Since 1997, Calexico has released several albums under the Quarterstick Records label. In 2012, the band had its seventh studio album, Algiers, released by Anti Records. Edge of the Sun came out on the same label in 2015. In 2019, the band released Years to Burn, an album in partnership with Iron & Wine. The following year Seasonal Shift arrived. In 2022, the group returned with El Mirador.