BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Robert Rex Waller Jr. is a singer, songwriter, performer and professor living in Los Angeles, CA. Over the last 20+ years Waller has been the lead singer and one of the principal songwriters with the critically acclaimed country rock band, I See Hawks in L.A.
The Hawks have released ten studio albums and toured the US and Europe multiple times. Their songs have charted in independent Americana radio in US and Europe and have been placed in TV and films including Cobra Kai, Roswell, and True Blood.
Dave Alvin has called the Hawks “one of California’s unique treasures” and MOJO magazine named them “the finest country rock band on the planet.”
Waller has written, recorded, or performed with artists including but not limited to Phoebe Bridgers, Lucinda Williams, Carla Olson, Eddie Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Cheech Marin, Jackson Browne, Justin Townes Earle, Tom Petty, Chris Hillman, Herb Peterson, John York, David Jackson, Gabe Witcher, Rick Shea, Dave Alvin, James Intveld, Gregg Sutton, Tony Gilkyson, Raul Pacheco, Peter Case, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bernie Leadon, and The Meat Puppets.
Waller and the Hawks have performed at some of the most legendary venues and festivals in Americana music including: McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Old Town School of Folk Music Chicago, Slim’s (SF), and Joe’s Pub (NYC). His festival appearances include: Kerrville Folk Fest, Stagecoach, Strawberry Festival (CA), Down On The Farm (Halden, Norway), Maverick Fest (UK), Belladrum Tartan Heart (UK), Hempfest (Seattle), French Broad River Fest (NC), Albino Skunk Fest (SC), and showcases at Folk Alliance.
In addition to his performing career, Waller is also a professor at the University of Southern California. Alumni from hiss legendary Writing for Visual and Performing Artists course are professionally active in all genres of the arts from TV and film to Broadway to popular and classical music to visual arts, architecture and video games.
Waller released Fancy Free, his first solo album of cover songs, in 2016. Waller’s second solo album, See The Big Man Cry, was produced by Carla Olson and is set to be released on BFD records on October 20th, 2023.
Waller lives in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles with his wise and understanding wife, three well-behaved children, and two adoring cats.
“Any fear of how some songs would fit are soon dispelled as Waller, JR ups his game to deliver an album I will be playing for a long, long time. He doesn’t just cover the songs but in a number of cases it will be his I reach for first in days to come as the definitive version.” –Maurice Hope, Americana UK
News and Reviews
HAWKS FRONT MAN ROBERT REX WALLER JR. TO RELEASE SECOND SOLO EFFORT “SEE THE BIG MAN CRY” PRODUCED BY CARLA OLSON
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Robert Rex Waller Jr. and Carla Olson have been collaborating on stage and in the studio for years. Their duet of “Bossier City” appeared on I See Hawks in L.A.’s Shoulda Been Gold in 2010, Waller was a featured artist on two songs on...
TAKE EFFECT reviews “Americana Railroad”
link to article August 8, 2022 Americana Railroad BMG, 2022 8/10 Listen to Americana Railroad The American Railroads have influenced the rich history of the country’s music more than most realize, and here we’re treated to an incredible roster of talent penning songs...
NO DEPRESSION reviews “Americana Railroad”
Robert Rex Waller Jr. of I See Hawks in L.A. makes two standout appearances, with Rank and File’s cowpunk raver “The Conductor Wore Black” (with Rank and Filer Chip Kinman on guitar) and a rawboned take on Steve Young’s “Midnight Rail.” Nothing says Americana, in the...
AMERICANA RAILROAD releases on Record Store Day 11/26/2021
A double album of new interpretations from the rich canon of songs about the rails and how the music and the railroad shaped America and its musical history. link to articleSide A1. Here Comes That Train Again Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson 2. The Conductor Wore...