Califone | Artist

Califone is an American experimental rock band formed 1997 in Chicago, Illinnois, by Tim Rutili (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Ben Massarella (drums, percussion), Brian Deck (drums, percussion, keyboards) and Tim Hurley (drums, percussion, bass, keyboards). After numerous lineup changes and departures, the band continues as Tim Rutili's solo project. The band's sound is a combination of blues-rock and experimental music, with inspiration drawn from early American folk music, pop, as well as electronic and groups like Psychic TV. Rutili states that each album is individually thematic, being inspired by stories, dreams, and silent era films. Their work has been critically acclaimed and they have released nine studio albums to-date. Standout albums include Roomsound, Quicksand/Cradlesnakes, Roots & Crowns, All my Friends are Funeral Singers and The Villager's Companion (2025). Their 2020 release Echo Mine is the soundtrack for a dance performance work of the same name. Tim Rutili also has two excellent solo albums to his credit, plus a bunch of albums with former bands Red Red Meat and Ugly Casanova. Many of Califone's albums are individually thematic, sometimes inspired by stories. All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is about a psychic woman who lives alone in the woods in a house full of ghosts. Heron King Blues is a concept album involving a recurring dream Rutili has had since his youth, involving a giant man-bird creature, which he discovered was actually a representation of an ancient Druid god called the heron king. The Deceleration Series of albums are impressions of sountracks to accompany silent films. The band is named after Califone International, an audio equipment maker that manufactured audiovisual equipment used in schools and institutions, and included public address systems, reel-to-reel audio tape recorders, phonographs, and Combo organs.

Artist Website: califonemusic.com

Featured Albums: Califone

Related Artists: Freakwater, Red Red Meat