Bright spark poised to make his Mark

INFLUENTIAL American alt-country and folk singer-songwriter Mark Olson’s ongoing musical honeymoon finally brings him to Hobart next week.

Minnesota-born Olson is best known as a founding member of altcountry band The Jayhawks, which he started in 1985 with Gary Louris.

The first band to ever sign with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings label, the Jayhawks enjoyed success with the singles Waiting for the Sun and Blue, and albums Blue Earth (1989), Hollywood Town Hall (1992) and Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995).

They have also been credited with helping spark a late-’90s alt-country resurgence and influencing the likes of Wilco and Bon Iver.

At the height of their success, Olson unexpectedly quit the Jayhawks to look after his wife, singer-songwriter Victoria Williams, after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Olson, Williams and multiinstrumentalist Mike Russell formed a folk and country group known as the Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers, releasing seven albums over the next seven years.

Olson’s subsequent divorce from Williams inspired his acclaimed 2007 solo album The Salvation Blues.

To promote the album, Olson toured the US and Europe with Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Ingunn Ringvold, who he would go on to marry. They now live in the California desert and tour internationally almost every year.

They are back in Australia this month promoting their new album, Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun.

Mark Olson and Ingunn Ringvold play at Shambles Brewery on Elizabeth St from 8pm next Friday (September 8). Tickets are $25 (plus booking fee) pre-sale from www.moshtix.com.au