Singer-songwriter Mark Olson found inspiration the way most of his heroes did: through a love of storytelling and language itself.

Fans of singer-songwriters discovered Olson when he was a founding member of the Jayhawks in the mid 1980s. Later he went on to form the Creek Dippers with his wife, Victoria Williams. Besides adding a natural intimacy to Olson's songs, Williams contributes with the electric guitar, wah-wah banjo, harmonica and vocals.

For Olson, location plays an integral part in the songwriting process. Both the places he writes about and the place he writes from (his home in Joshua Tree, Calif.) influence the music he makes and the atmosphere it evokes.

"Where you're actually doing the writing has a lot to do with it," said Olson. "Just finding the peacefulness."

Olson has been writing songs for over 20 years and that time has deepened his understanding of how location and language interact.

"When we travel I take on the interest of a linguist. You can travel 50 miles and hear English used in a different way. As far as how language is used in public, everyone has a certain way of using it."

Many of Olson's songs have taken on a political tone, but not the kind one might expect. His record "Political Manifest" features many of the songs he played at the Democrats' Iowa Caucus.

"I think something that's interesting to me right now, is that I haven't heard anyone talk about the day after the election," said Olson. "What's going to happen to the party that loses? Forgiveness, togetherness, that kind of interests me."

The role of politics in music has been at the forefront of many controversial debates recently, but Olson acknowledges the tradition modern political music comes from.

"I started listening to music when I was pretty young. Singers spoke about common people's desires versus big industry. There's always been a protest song. The Woody Guthrie tradition has always been welling up in country and rock."

Besides the American songwriting tradition, Olson and Williams also have connections to Pearl Jam and Soul Asylum. In 1993, Williams learned she was suffering from multiple sclerosis. A wide variety of artists, including Pearl Jam, Lou Reed and Soul Asylum recorded Williams songs for a tribute album called "Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams."

When Olson and Williams return to Tucson on Sunday, they will be returning to a familiar location. Williams has friends who live in Tucson and both have performed at Club Congress before.

Mark Olson and Victoria Williams will be at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. on Sunday, September 5. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of the show. This show is for those 21 and older.