Dublin And Dublin.

Last week, I was off school for half-term, so Ali took some flexitime off and we went on a much-needed break: a road trip down south. As chance would have it, this coincided with a concert by one of our favourite bands: Calexico, from Tucson, California.

For anyone who hasn't heard Calexico, they mix Alt.Country and traditional Mariachi to startling effect. I would particularly recommend their albums, Feast Of Wire and Garden Ruin.

I have been wanting to see them for a while, and also got the chance to interview Joey, the lead singer.

This turned out to be a bit of a palaver: the interview was scheduled for 3, but when I arrived at the venue I discovered that the soundcheck had been brought forward. The tour manager, who was very friendly and polite, told me that it wasn't a problem and if I waited the band would not be long.

So, I stood in the corridor and looked like a tool, and about 2 hours later, after much fannying about on the band's part (not to mention celebrating the birthday of Volker, one of their members), I finally got down to doing the interview.

Joey was very warm and talkative, so we chatted for about an hour, which is pretty long for this sort of thing. I'll put up a transcript of the interview when I have it written.

Live, meanwhile, the band were fantastic. I never lose the excitement of having a "plus one" on the guestlist, as it makes me feel the slightest iota of importance as I approach the bouncers at the door and tell them I am a (ahem) music journalist.

The gig was great. The Olympia in Dublin is a great venue, an old ballroom with a downwardly sloping floor so no matter where you stand, you can still see the stage.

The setlist was fantastic too, and by the time the band played Crystal Frontier and Guero Canelo I was dancing and singing like an idiot.

It was, along with Sparklehorse, the gig of the year.