Jayhawks' Gary Louris finds love and new sound

Gary Louris, the frontman of The Jayhawks, is releasing the band's 12th studio album, Sanctuary Park, on August 28th. A significant portion of the album is dedicated to Louris' wife, Stephanie, reflecting their inseparable creative partnership. Louris describes their connection as a modern take on John Lennon and Yoko Ono, with Stephanie being a muse and integral part of his artistic process.

The album's title, Sanctuary Park, is inspired by a place in Ontario where Stephanie once listened to The Clash. Thematically, the record explores their intertwined childhoods, the experience of aging, and Louris' current life in rural Quebec. This is the follow-up to the band's 2020 album, XOXO.

For Sanctuary Park, The Jayhawks enlisted Canadian producer Bob Ezrin, who previously worked with Louris on the 2000 album Smile. This collaboration marks over two decades since they last worked together. Ezrin, who recently renounced his American citizenship, brought his production expertise to the project, aiming for a sound that emphasizes authentic, human musical synergy.

Louris notes that while The Jayhawks are often categorized as an American band, their influences have consistently included Canadian artists like The Band, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell. The recording sessions for Sanctuary Park were focused, with only 10 days allocated in a Toronto studio, fostering a sense of capturing a specific moment in time. The album features tracks like "Keeping Our Heads Above Water," a collaboration with Mat Kearney, which captures the feeling of young love. Another song, "Hands Upon the Wheel," is a reimagining of a solo track inspired by his wife, while "American Midnight" offers a perspective on America from an outsider's viewpoint. The album concludes with "Rowing the Boat," a hopeful track initially intended for Nickelodeon, serving as a gentle coda.