Article Contributed by Pitch Perfect PR
Published on 2026-07-22
Photo by Steve Cohen
The Jayhawks have released “American Midnight,” the second single from their forthcoming album, Sanctuary Park, out August 28 via Thirty Tigers.
LISTEN TO “AMERICAN MIDNIGHT” HERE
Sanctuary Park has a definite sense of place. Not only was it recorded in Canada with Canadian producer Bob Ezrin and Canadian engineers in a Canadian studio, but lyrically, there are numerous references specific to Canada.
After marrying his wife Stephanie, a born-and-raised proud Canadian, Gary Louris became a permanent resident, giving him a somewhat unique view and perspective that contributed to the content of these songs. That perspective can be heard on “American Midnight,” which features a needle-perfect pop melody and lush three-part harmonies.
“I’m not one to write political diatribes, so read into this what you will,” Louris says. “But living up here north of the border gives one a certain perspective most Americans might not have.”
For Sanctuary Park, The Jayhawks reunited with legendary producer Bob Ezrin, whose credits include Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Alice Cooper and Lou Reed. Ezrin previously produced the band’s 2000 album, Smile, which The New York Times called a “classic.”
When Ezrin heard that Louris was seeking a producer, he immediately signed on and invited the band to record in his hometown of Toronto.
“I love their music,” says Ezrin. “There is gentleness and a sweetness to their sound, and I found myself craving a little bit more of that.”
A conscious decision was made to highlight the band’s strengths: Louris’ songwriting, the group’s trademark three-part harmonies and the intuitive interplay between Louris, keyboardist Karen Grotberg, drummer Tim O’Reagan and bassist Marc Perlman.
That interplay comes only from years of playing together and creating their own musical vocabulary.
“Get us in a room together and there’s no one better,” Louris says. “We have a certain musical magic that happens without even a word or a discussion.”
Playing live in the studio helped make the record what it is: a time, a place and music of the moment.
Sanctuary Park arrives at a momentous time for the band as The Jayhawks celebrate their 40th year. The group’s self-titled debut, known to fans as The Bunkhouse Album, was released in 1986.
The Jayhawks have performed at major festivals including Farm Aid, Primavera Sound, Pinkpop and Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky. In the tradition of The Band and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Jayhawks have also toured with and served as a backing band for acclaimed artists including Ray Davies, Roger McGuinn and Johnny Cash.
This fall, The Jayhawks will embark on a North American tour. Tickets are now on sale.
LISTEN:
“American Midnight”
“Keeping Our Heads Above Water”
THE JAYHAWKS TOUR DATES:
August 1 – Boone, NC – Appalachian State University: Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
August 6 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s
August 7 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Strings Music Pavilion
August 8 – Boulder, CO – Chautauqua Auditorium
October 16 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall *
October 17 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom +
October 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall +
October 21 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre +
October 22 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre +
October 23 – New York, NY – The Town Hall +
October 24 – Boston, MA – Boch Center – Shubert Theatre ^
November 11 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom
November 12 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
November 13 – Nashville, TN – CMA Theater
November 14 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
November 17 – Lexington, KY – Kentucky Theatre
November 18 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
November 19 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
November 20 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
November 21 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
December 2 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre
December 4 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
December 5 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
December 8 – Grass Valley, CA – The Center for the Arts
December 9 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
December 11 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
December 12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether
* with Julian Taylor Band
- with The Cactus Blossoms
^ with Joe Pernice
