Gary Louris is an artist who needs no introduction to Americana UK readers. Over the last three decades, Louris has built a compelling body of music which has won the loyalty of an international audience and the respect of both critics and his peers. Best known for his seminal work with The Jayhawks, he is one of the most acclaimed musicians to come out of Minnesota’s vibrant rock scene.
After meeting his wife, Stephanie, and moving with her to a small town outside of Montreal, Louris found the inspiration for his third solo album “Dark Country” which is to be released via Sham / Thirty Tigers on 14th February 2025. “It is a love letter to my wife Steph, plain and simple. It was written and recorded in my little studio in our home in the mountains of Quebec” says Louris. He continues “It is the most intimate and straight forward record I have ever made. Period. Just me in a room with my songs and you the listener. I am not typically an autobiographical lyricist, but these songs are as literal as can be… all directed to my love.”
Built around his own guitar or piano, Louris called upon a few friends to assist Including occasional Jayhawk Stephen McCarthy (The Long Ryders) on guitars and peal steel and Eleanor Whitmore of The Mastersons who arranged and played the string section on one song. As with the last few Jayhawks and Louris albums, Paul Kolderie (Hole, The Pixies, Uncle Tupelo) mixed the record.
You can pre-order “Dark Country” here.
In addition to his work with the Jayhawks, Louris has been a charter member of the part-time alt-rock supergroup Golden Smog, which at various times has included members of Soul Asylum, Wilco, the Replacements and Big Star. He has also contributed songs to Grammy Award-winning albums by the Tedeschi/Trucks Band and The Chicks; and recorded with acts as diverse as the Black Crowes, Counting Crows, Uncle Tupelo, Joe Henry, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Roger McGuinn, Maria McKee, Nickel Creek, Carrie Rodriguez, Tift Merritt and the Wallflowers.
Ahead of the release of “Dark Country”. Louris has put out single ‘Getting Older’ together with a video which you can see right here.
