Getting to chat to a legend of the industry isn’t something that comes around everyday – so when I was given the oppertunity to talk to iconic Grammy award winning Canadian musican and “uber-producer” Daniel Lanois, off the back of his recent Neil Young production, and ahead of the release of his new project Black Dub (in which he plays guitar), was I ever going to say no? I spoke to Daniel as he was at home in Quebec, about these new projects, and the motorcycle accident which almost kept either of them from happening.
Black Dub sees you in band mode for the first time, playing guitar on the self-titled album which is released in a few weeks (November 12th). Can you talk a little about how this project came about?
Of course! I decided to assemble this group of folks after I stumbled into Trixie Whitley in Belguim. I’ve known her family for many years, I was a friend of her fathers (the late great Chris Whitley), and she slipped me a CD – saying she was singing and writing songs now. And I thought she sounded great – but I wasn’t quite sure what to do with all that talent. But then an oppertunity came up to record her at Berklee College of Music in Boston where I was a visiting Professor for some of the students there. I thought I’d see if Trixie could be available as our “subject” of the day. And we came out with a great song called “I’d Rather Go Blind” which instigated it. I thought – she’s a firecracker! So let’s see if she wanted to be a member of this band I had in my head. And she agreed and off we went. I think it’s fantastic that she’s with us (as the group’s lead vocalist). So that’s it! And we’re hitting the road next week.
You’ve got a busy couple of weeks on the US East Coast by the looks of things.
Yes we’re going to be based out of New York as of next week and hitting a few nice places around there including the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.
I understand the initial movements of Black Dub were set off about a year ago now…
Yes that’s correct – but unfortunately we had an interupption over the Summer because I had a motorcycle accident. So we had to cancel the July tour. But I’m mended now and feeling better so we’re ready to start up now.
We were all worried when we heard about the accident in LA… how has the recovery process been for you? It’s good to hear you’re doing better…
Yeah I’m doing much better. It was not much fun though. I was in intensive care for three weeks, and I broke ten bones, so it’s quite a thing to go through. But I’ve been back at work. After three weeks in hospital I just got right back to work, and finished that record with Neil Young (Le Noise), and now we’re on to Black Dub.
How do the two compare? The process of putting together a Black Dub record versus a Neil Young record I mean… or even perhaps your own solo records?
I like the fact that Trixie is handling the vocals. It gives me a chance to place my guitar. I feel really good about my guitar playing these days. And the steel guitar is still in the set – we’ve worked that in – and I love playing that. So (Black Dub) lets me focus on my first love, and that’s playing the guitar. The Neil Young record was of course a great project, and that came out of the blue. He asked me if I would film and record him doing ten acoustic songs. And we started with that and I agreed, and then after two acoustic songs it went quite electric from there, so it’s quite a rockin’ record. It’s quite unique, I’m very proud of it. It’s nice to do something for a Canadian national hero.
Which many would consider you as well! You’ve also got your star on the Canadian Walk of Fame…
Yes they’ve got me on the sidewalk somewhere there downtown *laughs*. I haven’t seen it though. I was there for the celebrations but I’ve not actually seen it on the concrete. Next time I’m on a date I’ll make sure to walk my date across it!
Oh silly me, look who we have here!
Who would have thought? *laughs*
Now I remember you came down to Australia in 2007 for the Bluesfest in Byron Bay among other solo shows.
Yes I remember that, we had a nice time there. I enjoyed playing all over Australia.I think I prefer playing the indoor places to the outdoor evens though, for sound purposes, you know? I remember (at Bluesfest) we kind of got thrown up there on the stage, and there was a little confusion about what mics were on, and what mics were coming through the monitors – hey man, life on the road, eh? But yes, I have very fond memories of Australia.
So that of course leads me to my next question – will we see you back down here anytime soon?
We’re hoping! There’s talk of coming to pay you a visit, and going to Japan … I don’t know how you feel about being lumped in with Japan *laughs* but for we people on the North American continent, it seems to be the two associated stops…
It’s halfway to Australia – any excuse to get you down here will do!
Yes – and it would be nice to come back. I’ve really got a nice feeling in Australia. I’ve made a few friends there. It’s a very chill place. I think we North Americans have got something to learn from the Aussies.
There’s no doubt plenty we can learn from the Canadians too!
Well *pauses* – I think we’ll have to arm wrestle about that one. *laughs*
Surely that’s not the Canadian way! Or is it?
*laughs* No… but I guess what is the Canadian way these days? The whole world is amalgamating these days. I’m finding less and less differences – at least at the major urban crossroads. It’s all turning into skyscrapers! And it happens so quickly too. Toronto must have about 100 new skyscrapers in the last 5 years! It’s incredible the amount of construction. You wouldn’t take it that we were going through any economic difficulties, all these buildings going up! But maybe that’s the way the world works… when there’s a decline, that’s the time to spend money, because that’s the way you get bargains I guess.
It’s never been cheaper to travel that’s for sure… moving back onto Black Dub for a moment – I understand there was a bit of travel involved in making the album?
Well we did some of the work in Toronto, and quite a bit of it was done in Mexico. But Trixie’s vocals were done in Los Angeles. I’ve always been a bit of a troubadour with my music rigs anyhow. It’s getting easier and easier to pack a few things into a suitcase and off you go. I like the fact that we can capture musical moments wherever we travel to. In fact on the tour we’re going to have a rig set up on the bus so as we’re travelling along we can do some recording.
From the tracks I’ve heard from the album, there really is that… I wouldn’t say spontaneous, that’s not the right word – but natural quality to them.
Yes, some of the tracks are very natural. There’s a track on there called “Surely you were meant to be mine” – and that was live off the floor, vocals and all. No overdubs. So it happened in a matter of minutes. Which is kind of reassuring – a vote of confidence that we’re a band that can play. Some of the other tracks are more studio built – after all I am a studio rat! And then there are others which mix technology and flesh – there’s one track on there called “Silverado” which is a nice example of a good beatbox rhythm with hand played drums over the top. I still like the challenge of mixing technology with the flesh.
It seems only natural that it will translate beautifully live then.
Yes we have a nice time playing these songs live, because we’re very resourceful. And when you have Brian Blade on the drums, it’s like being on a magic carpet ride. No two nights are the same – he’s really a master of improv. We always expect a nice surprise from Mr. Blade. Sometimes I think we should re-record a record after touring, because they really find their stage legs after a few shows.
I understand you dabble in the drums yourself?
Oh, I used to play drums in a country and western band as a kid *laughs*! So I’m more of a closet drummer, although I’ve got a good high hat feel. My kick, my bass drum kick is not too good.
I was under the impression that Black Dub was your first band – but I guess not!
Well yeah, but the garage bands I was in didn’t get a lot of press *laughs*. But it was a lot of fun man. And we all came into this for the same reason. That we loved music. I’m really pleased with those early years. Those naive times. And so it’s nice to be on stage with Black Dub because those values get reignited. I’m happy to be amongst these comrades.
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The self-titled debut album for Black Dub is in stores on November 12th. Le Noise, the new album from fellow Canadian Neil Young, which was produced by Daniel Lanois, is in stores now. It continues a run of big name productions for Mr. Lanois which includes U2’s Joshua Tree and Bob Dylan’s acclaimed Time Out of Mind. And that’s only the tip of a very large iceberg. They don’t call him an “uber-producer” for nothing!
Have a look at what Black Dub are all about in this fantastic studio clip:
