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Minnesota's Jayhawks team again with Pink Floyd producer

Chris Riemenschneider, The Minnesota Star Tribune on

Published in Entertainment News

MINNEAPOLIS — After working with several legendary producers over four decades, the Jayhawks reunited with one of those big-name collaborators for a new album coming later this summer.

The Minnesota-based Americana rock pioneers announced details Wednesday of the band’s 12th studio LP, “Sanctuary Park,” produced by Bob Ezrin, the Canadian studio whiz who worked on Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” Kiss’ “Destroyer” and Lou Reed’s “Berlin.” He also produced the 2000 record “Smile,” which showcased the Jayhawks’ polished and poppy side with songs like “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” and “Somewhere in Ohio.”

Ezrin is part of a trio of renowned producers who repeatedly collaborated with the Jayhawks, including Rick Rubin (Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash) and George Drakoulias (Tom Petty, the Black Crowes).

“I love their music,” Ezrin said in a statement. “There is gentleness and a sweetness to their sound, and I found myself craving a little bit more of that.”

Due out Aug. 28 via the indie outlet Thirty Tigers, “Sanctuary Park” was largely recorded in Toronto, where Ezrin lives. Toronto also happens to be a little closer to where Jayhawks front man Gary Louris now resides. The singer/guitarist moved to the mountains north of Quebec City after marrying his Canadian wife Stephanie during the pandemic.

 

The first single off the new record, “Keeping Our Hearts Above Water,” was also issued Wednesday and hints at a contented new life for Louris, with lines like, “It’s taking all your love to believe again.” The new song shows off the the group’s focus on harmonies, as keyboardist Karen Grotberg and drummer Tim O’Reagan pitch in on vocals alongside Louris while co-founding bassist Marc Perlman lays the steady groove.

After playing only a handful of gigs since their two-night hometown stand at the Fitzgerald Theater last December — including a January getaway to Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky festival in Mexico — the Jayhawks have set a lengthy tour itinerary for the second half of 2026.

Among the first shows is July 17 at Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and a July 18 conservation fundraiser at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds in north-central Minnesota. After the record’s release, they will play Minneapolis’ State Theatre on Nov. 21 amid a tour taking them to both U.S. coasts. Stay tuned for a ticket announcement.


©2026 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

 

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