For too long, Howe Gelb's Giant Sand has been viewed as a charm school for artists to pass through on their way to bigger stages. Famous faces like M. Ward, Neko Case and the Calexico principals have benefited from time spent in Gelb's Tucson, Arizona, enclave, and his melding of American and Mexican folk music has left a mark on those who served under his tutelage. In anticipation of the band's 30th birthday in 2013, Gelb has assembled a super-sized version of the group, dubbed Giant Giant Sand and is touring behind the newly minted album Tucson.
Story Songs: Tucson is billed as "A Country Rock Opera," and its nineteen tracks trace the arc of a beautiful loser, and Gelb shares the vocal duties with several bandmates.
