The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and country rock band that emerged from the Twin Cities music scene during the mid-1980s. Their country rock sound was influential on many bands who played the Twin Cities circuit during the 1980s and 1990s like Uncle Tupelo, the Gear Daddies and the Honeydogs. They have released several studio albums, including five on the American Recordings label. On hiatus from 2005 to 2009, the band has since reunited, releasing an album, Mockingbird Time, in September 2011. After another brief hiatus, the 1997 touring lineup reunited to play shows in 2014 to support the reissue of three albums released between 1997 and 2003. After the tour, Mark Olson again left the band. It was later revealed that he left because of a strained relationship with band member Gary Louris.
The band announced in September 2015 that they were recording a new studio album with the 2014–2015 lineup. The album was being recorded in Portland, Oregon, with Peter Buck from R.E.M and Tucker Martine producing. The new album is getting initial funding through pledgemusic.com, a way for artists to fund new music production by selling limited edition copies of CDs and albums signed and supported by the band.
In January 2016 The Jayhawks announced on their Tumblr account that their new album would be titled Paging Mr. Proust and that it was going to be released on April 29, 2016 on Thirty Tigers.
From the jangle of album opener “Quiet Corners & Empty Spaces” to the trademark harmonies of “Isabel’s Daughter” to the more pensive “Lover Of The Sun” , it is clear that The Jayhawks power remains undiminished from their initial national impact, 1992’s Hollywood Town Hall. Other tracks such as the sludgy rocker “Lost The Summer” , the kraut-rock groove of “Ace” and the taut minimalism of “Comeback Kids” bring new sounds to the palette. Paging Mr. Proust shows a commitment to adventure and forward motion, which makes this collection of songs exciting and instantly memorable.