The Jayhawks

The Jayhawks

The Jayhawks are an American americana, alternative country and rock group from Minneapolis, United States, active from 1985 to the present. The band forms around the songwriting and vocal harmonies of Gary Louris and Mark Olson, and is known for a blend of country, folk and rock influences that places it within the alternative country scene.

Formation and early years

The group forms in Minneapolis in 1985, emerging from a local musical community that also includes rockabilly and other Twin Cities acts. Mark Olson, who had been playing stand-up bass in Stagger Lee, begins the project after deciding to focus on his own country-folk songs. He brings in Marc Perlman, originally the guitarist in the Neglecters, and persuades him to switch to bass. Drummer Norm Rogers joins next, and Gary Louris later becomes a member after meeting Olson at an early performance. Louris, who has played with Safety Last and Schnauzer, is known locally for a guitar style with a pedal steel-like quality.

Recordings and recognition

The Jayhawks release their self-titled debut in 1986, followed by Blue Earth in 1989, a record assembled from demos and later overdubs and remixing. Their breakthrough comes with Hollywood Town Hall in 1991, produced by George Drakoulias and issued on American Records. The album becomes a critical staple and includes the alternative radio singles “Waiting for the Sun”, “Take Me With You (When You Go)” and “Settled Down Like Rain”. After touring, Karen Grotberg joins permanently on piano.

Tomorrow the Green Grass follows in 1995, led by the single “Blue”, which receives significant airplay. After Mark Olson leaves, the band continues with Louris, Perlman, Grotberg and Tim O’Reagan, releasing Sound of Lies in 1997. Grotberg later departs and Jen Gunderman joins for Smile. In 2002 the band moves to Lost Highway, and in 2003 releases Rainy Day Music, with Stephen McCarthy contributing guitar.

Hiatus, reunion and later work

The Jayhawks go on hiatus from 2005 to 2009, then reunite and release Mockingbird Time in 2011. The line-up associated with that album includes Mark Olson, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg and Tim O’Reagan. In 2015 the same line-up, minus Olson, records Paging Mr Proust for the band’s own Sham label, with production by Peter Buck and Tucker Martine. The next year, John Jackson joins on mandolin, violin and acoustic guitar for Back Roads and Abandoned Motels, a set of songs co-written by Gary Louris with other artists alongside two of his own recent compositions.

Collaborations and related projects

Members of the group also appear on albums by Counting Crows, Soul Asylum, Maria McKee and Joe Henry. The Jayhawks also feature on two Ray Davies albums: Americana and Our Country: Americana Act II. Norm Rogers, the band’s original drummer and a founding member, dies in 2018.