I See Hawks In L.A.

California-based I See Hawks in L.A. have charted a cerebral, witty, and occasionally delightfully absurd course in alt-country, echoing the early California country-rock sound of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, and the Byrds while hewing to the “cosmic American music” blueprint once outlined by Gram Parsons. The group came together in 1999 when Robert Rex Waller, Jr. joined forces with brothers Paul Lacques and Anthony Lacques. At the outset it functioned solely as an informal recording project, yet the favorable notices that greeted its self-titled debut—issued in 2001 on the since-defunct Ethic Records—prompted the musicians to begin performing live. Western Seeds Records then released Grapevine in 2004 and California Country in 2006; both albums earned acclaim for the clever, playful, and frequently political or environmentally themed material, most of it written by Waller and Paul Lacques, as well as for the group’s striking three-part vocal blend delivered by Waller, Lacques, and bassist Paul Marshall. Although personnel has shifted continually, the core configuration has typically featured Rob Waller handling lead vocals, guitar, and Dobro, Paul Lacques contributing vocals, guitar, and Dobro, Paul Marshall on bass and vocals, Dave Zirbel on steel guitar, Cody Bryant on banjo, Rick Shea on mandolin, Brantley Kearns on fiddle, and Shawn Nourse on drums, with many additional figures from California’s alt-country community appearing as regular guests. The band’s fourth album, Hallowed Ground, arrived in early 2008.