Rock/pop

Lots of times, when a dour singer-songwriter teams up with an indie rock band—think Elliott Smith/Quasi or Chan Marshall/Dirty Three—the result is a pleasantly chunked up version of the mopey minstrel's oeuvre. This won't be one of those instances. Sure, John Convertino and Joey Burns' tumbleweed-twangy Calexico will certainly flesh out the threadbare Southern-gothic pleas of Iron & Wino Sam Beam. But using the songs on their collaborative EP In the Reins (Overcoat Recordings) as evidence, it's safe to surmise that when the two units form one on stage (following individual sets), the only thing that'll get significantly cranked up is the high-lonesome. Yeah, there are near-head-nodding moments on the EP, like the horny, almost-rollicking "A History of Lovers." But for the most part, Reins is an exercise in exponential moodiness, the kind you'd be inclined to flick your lighter to if you weren't petrified of setting off brush fires.

Sat., Dec. 3, 8:30 p.m., $20-$22, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000, www.electricfactory.com.