I See Hawks in L.A.

I See Hawks in L.A.

I See Hawks in L.A. is an American alternative country group, active from 2000 to the present, with Anthony Lacques, Paul Lacques, Rob Waller and Paul Marshall in its line-up.

Origins and early formation

The group forms in 1999, when Rob Waller and brothers Paul and Anthony Lacques begin writing together during a desert trip in the East Mojave. They first gather in Echo Park, where they write their early songs before seeking advice from local country-rock musician David Jackson, who plays bass with John Denver, Dillard and Clark, and Emmylou Harris. Jackson then joins them on their first recording.

Sound and style

The band develops a style that combines country and folk forms with psychedelic electric layering, three-part vocal harmonies, telecaster and steel guitar, and acoustic arrangements. Its songs often deal with mortality, the environment, long-distance travel, and social criticism. On later material, the group also moves toward a sparser acoustic approach.

Recordings and releases

Their self-titled debut recording establishes the band’s core sound, with lyrics about mortality, whales and the geography of pre-apocalyptic Los Angeles. It receives strong reviews, appears on the F.A.R. Alternative Country Chart, and continues to receive radio play. The second album, Grapevine, reaches number one on the F.A.R. Chart, spends time on the Americana chart and reaches number two on XM Radio’s X Country station. The third album, California Country, includes guest appearances from Chris Hillman, Rick Shea, Cody Bryant, Danny McGough and Tommy Funderburk, among others, and expands the band’s use of bluegrass, country psychedelia and honky-tonk sounds.

The fourth album, Hallowed Ground, is recorded in March 2008 and later reaches number one on the Freeform American Roots radio chart, stays in the top ten for four months, and reaches number four on the Euro Americana Chart. A song from the release is used in the HBO series True Blood. In 2010 the band issues Shoulda Been Gold on American Beat Records, a compilation of best-of tracks, early unreleased recordings and new songs. Their sixth CD, New Kind of Lonely, appears in February 2012 and is recorded mostly with acoustic guitars, upright and electric bass, plus overdubbed vocal harmonies, dobro and fiddle from Gabe Witcher.

Members and collaborators

Paul Marshall joins after sitting in at Ronnie Mack’s Barndance in Burbank. Earlier, bassist/vocalist Paul Marshall has also played with Strawberry Alarm Clock, Hank Thompson and Rose Maddox. Drummer Shawn Nourse joins for a period after Anthony Lacques leaves to pursue documentary filmmaking, and he plays with the band for eight years. Other collaborators and guests across the band’s recordings and performances include Brantley Kearns, Dave Markowitz, Dave Zirbel, Rick Shea, Richie Lawrence, Tony Gilkyson, Kip Boardman, Lucinda Williams, Dave Alvin, Peter Case, Bernie Leadon and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Live work and recognition

The band becomes associated with the Los Angeles alternative country scene and is named L.A. Weekly Best Country Artist in 2002 and 2003. It tours widely in the United States, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Norway, and appears at venues and events including McCabe’s, the Grand Old Echo, the Cinema Bar, Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance, Pappy & Harriet’s, Gramfest, Hempfest, Joe’s Pub, the Belladrum Festival and other roots-oriented clubs and festivals.