In anticipation of Califone’s March 9 and 10 shows at Lincoln Hall (2424 N. Lincoln Ave.), the website True/Slant has published an interview with Tim Rutili.

Five Questions and Answers with Califone’s Tim Rutili

Chicago experimental rock band Califone has been challenging music lovers with its eclectic, ambitious, enigmatic grooves since 1997. But with its latest undertaking, “All My Friends are Funeral Singers,” the band is challenging itself, going places few bands have gone before.

“Funeral Singers” is the name of Califone’s latest album, out last October on Dead Oceans, and also the title of frontman Tim Rutili’s film directorial debut, about a fortune teller living in a house filled with spirits. The two go very much hand in hand, to the point that Califone is performing the album as essentially a live soundtrack to the film, including a hometown gig at Lincoln Hall March 9. (Those more interested in the back catalog can see a straight up show March 10).

Chicago Beat contacted Rutili to answer five pressing questions via e-mail.

Chicago Beat: So which came first, the album or the film?

Tim Rutili: Songs started first but once it got rolling both the script and the album fed into each other at the same time. We finished the album in March and shot the film in April.

Read the rest of the interview at True/Slant

Tickets for tonight’s show are here (film/music performance). March 10 tickets are here (rock show).

March Dates

3/9/10 (9pm) – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall (with film)
3/10/10 (9pm) – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall (without film)
3/11/10 (7pm doors) – St. Louis, MO – Luminary Center for the Arts (with film)
3/15/10 (9:30pm) – Austin, TX – Alamo Lamar 1 – SxSW (with film)
3/17/10 (midnight) – Austin – Club DeVille – SxSW – BrooklynVegan Showcase
3/18/10 (1pm) – Austin – Other Music Lawn Party, French Legation Museum – SxSW
3/18/10 (4:10pm) – Austin – Team Clermont Party, Flamingo Cantina – SxSW
3/19/10 (12pm) – Austin – Alamo Ritz 1 – SxSW (with film)
3/30/10 (8pm) – Brooklyn, NY – The Bell House (w/ Sonoi)
3/31/10 (7pm) – New York, NY – IFC Center

Here is a list of Califone’s confirmed SXSW shows. Hope to see you there!

3/15/10 – Alamo Lamar 1 – 9:30pm*
3/17/10 – Brooklyn Vegan Showcase Club Deville – midnight
3/18/10 – Other Music Lawn Party, French Legation Museum – 1pm
3/18/10 – Team Clermont Party, Flamingo Cantina – 4:10pm
3/19/10 – Alamo Ritz 1 – 12:00pm*

*film w/live band soundtrack