A Los Angeles country rock band with an intriguing name — “I See Hawks in L.A. ” — releases its new17-song  CD, “Shoulda Been Gold,” today (Tuesday, Jan. 26.)

But if you wait until Friday, Feb. 5, you can see the band live at Studio E, the intimate 100-seat club outside Sebastopol.

The band will be bringing a friend to open the show, singer-songwriter Susan James, who has been doing some recording of her own recently, with pal Paul Lacques and his band-mates Shawn Nourse and Paul Marshall from I See Hawks in L.A.

Formed by Rob Waller and brothers Paul and Anthony Lacques, I See Hawks in L.A.  started in Echo Park  in 2000.

The band doesn’t spend much time explaining its name in its publicity materials, but I get the impression the name was conceived as a conversation starter for kindred souls. People who notice hawks overhead in the city can share an appreciation for some urbanized country music.

The Sebastopol show starts at 8 p.m. Feb. 5. Tickets cost $22. For directions, tickets: northbaylive.com, 542-7143.

Susan James