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Most bands see very little of the towns they pass through. BB King once observed, "It's not in the best interests of a promoter to keep me hanging around. We cost money when we ain't working for them."
But Calexico from Tucson are not like most bands. Over a decade-long career the two pivotal members, Joey Burns and John Convertino, have pushed their music from alt.country into assimilating mariachi sounds, French chanson, Spanish-language ballads and rock.
Much of this has been because Calexico takes a different approach to what music and touring offers.
As he packs his bags for Japan, singer-guitarist Burns is looking forward to seeing the Zen temples in Kyoto again and meeting friends made on the last trip - including Ashura Benimaru, one of the original creators of Pokemon.
"We went to his studio the day after we played and he's got tons of vintage guitars and old toys. He gave John an original Nightmare Before Christmas character, still in the box, for his daughter. It was total collector's item.
"We had a great time in Japan, and in New Zealand too when we were there in 2003."
Affable, articulate and curious, Burns says that Calexico has afforded them the opportunity to travel, meet other artists, "and we're constantly looking at galleries or architecture. McDonald's only happens once in a blue moon. This life gives you a great opportunity to open your perspectives".
"Being made up of members from Nashville and Tucson also helps. I was born in Montreal, we have a couple of Germans in the band, and our front-of-house sound man is from Holland.
"So we are not always hanging out in the same town but enjoying the company we keep, then enjoying hanging out together again.
"It's more rewarding when we come back together - we all have stories. Music is such a gift when you are able to tour and see the world, it just makes you want to share."
That means they do many benefit concerts, support their local Tucson high school and radio station, and give to worthy causes such as the humanitarian group Humane Borders. It has also afforded Calexico an outsider's view of America, some of which found its way into songs on their latest album, Garden Ruin, the most bright and accessible album in their growing catalogue.
Burns says coming back from Europe to the fast-food, short-attention-span mentality of the American media ("I mean, talk about McDonald's") is depressing. The lack of serious debate about social issues played a part in shaping the content and sentiment in some Garden Ruin songs.
"But it's not over the top, there is still a sensitivity and creativity that people are making their own connections with it.
"It was crucial to tap into artists like Dylan, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell who have continued to make music which spans social, personal and political avenues.
"This record is a departure and we wanted to do just that. It was time to challenge the recognised traits of our band.
"We have a lot of hats we enjoy wearing and sharing with friends, whether we are backing up Neko Case or doing an EP with Iron and Wine, or doing remixes for Goldfrapp, Andy Weatherall or the Gotan Project.
"We enjoy it all and the band has never been just somebody's notion of a south-west drive across the deserts.
"To us it has always been much more than that, and that's what keeps it vital - meeting people when we travel, and assimilating ideas and influences."
Trivia: Calexico have collaborated with Nancy Sinatra, Neko Case, Francoise Breut, Gotan Project, Amparanoia, Marianne Dissard and Niam Amor. Drummer John Convertino has released a solo album, Ragland. They keep an tour diary at casadecalexico.com
