The Jayhawks turn the page

"Paging Mr. Proust" drops on Thirty Tigers on April 29. The band's ninth studio disc is the first since 2011's "Mockingbird Time" on Rounder. The upcoming 11-song disc features the long-time core of the Jayhawks: Gary Louris (lead vocals/guitars), Marc Perlman (bass), Tim O'Reagan (drums/vocals), and Karen Grotberg (keyboards/vocals). Original Jayhawks member Mark Olsen, was on "Mockingbird Time," is not participating. Kraig Johnson, who has been a member of the band, plays on several tracks, but is not in the band at this time.

"Paging Mr. Proust" was co-produced by Louris, REM's Peter Buck and Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket) and recorded at Martine's Flora Recording & Playback in Portland, Ore.

Songs include the jangly album opener "Quiet Corners & Empty Spaces," "Isabel's Daughter," the pensive "Lover Of The Sun," the sludgy rocker "Lost The Summer," the Kraut-rock oriented "Ace" and the spare "Comeback Kids." "Leaving The Monsters Behind" features Mike Mills of REM fame on guest vocals.

"We worked harder in pre-production than any previous Jayhawks record," said Louris, having demoed most of the songs in his home studio before extensive workshopping with the band, and eventually recording in Martine's studio.

Tour dates are:
May 13 - Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
May 14 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theatre
May 15 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's
May 17 - Rocky Mount, VA - Harvester Center
May 18/19 - Philadelphia, PA - Non Comm Convention
May 20 - Louisville, KY - Headliner's
May 21 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
May 22 - Iowa City, IA - The Englert Theatre

More dates will be announced.