A chance encounter at a Tucson wedding has birthed one of the year’s most intriguing new acts. GECKØS, the super-trio comprising acclaimed musicians M. Ward, Howe Gelb (Giant Sand), and Mark McCausland (McKowski), have announced their debut self-titled album, set for release on September 26th via Org Music and PIAPTK Records. The announcement is accompanied by the lead single, “El Techno”, which opens our latest Monday Morning Brew playlist.
The project’s origin is pure musical happenstance. Tasked with creating a piece for a wedding’s first dance, the three musicians—who had never all been in the same room together before—concocted the dreamy, Southwestern ballad “Wedding Waltz.” The magic of their impromptu session was undeniable, sparking the idea for a full LP. “I think if we had tried to plan it,” McCausland notes, “it could never have happened. It’s something that just kind of happened naturally.”
That initial spark ignited a globe-trotting creative process. With Gelb based in Tucson, Ward in Portland, and McCausland in Omagh, Ireland, the album was pieced together across continents. The resulting record is a testament to their unique chemistry, often built upon musical “bones” provided by McCausland.
Their new single, “El Techno,” serves as a compelling introduction to the trio’s distinctive sonic world, characterised by a loping groove and atmospheric textures. The track’s most striking feature is a career-first for M. Ward, who takes the vocal lead entirely in Spanish. A surprising and seamless fit for his distinctive croon, Ward, whose grandparents were from Mexico, grew up hearing the language and describes his take as a form of “Spanglish.” It’s a bold artistic choice that immediately sets GECKØS apart, showcasing a collaborative spirit that pushes its esteemed members into new territory. For a musician with such a storied career, including his work in She & Him and Monsters of Folk, this new linguistic turn is a testament to the project’s fresh, exploratory energy.
Much of the album’s mystique stems from what McCausland calls the “Boneyard”—a “semi-fictional world” rooted in his Irish hometown that blends reality with the surreal. This old-world, storytelling quality permeates the record, giving it an ancient, reptilian feel befitting the band’s name.
You can also hear the band’s anthem, “Dance of the Gecko”, below:
GECKØS arrives September 26th on LP, CD, and digital formats. A limited 7″ single featuring “El Techno” and “Dance of the Gecko” is available now.