When we connect with legendary Canadian musician and producer Daniel Lanois, we start by asking him, “Where are you and what are you doing today?”
“I’m in Toronto, in a Buddhist temple that is now my recording studio,” he says. “I bought this place from the monks a few moons back.”
It has a special energy from its days as a holy space, he says.
“We continued with the spirit of it. They have a fabulous prayer area with a skylight, about 25 feet high, so it’s a sacred area that I brought Norfolk Pines into. I’m very fortunate to have this.”
And of course, he’s hard at work. He usually is, though he might not call it that.
Born in Hull, Quebec, Lanois is known for his visionary production work with artists such as U2, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, and Neil Young. He co-produced four U2 albums, including the Grammy Award-winning albums The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby. He also co-produced Dylan’s Grammy-winning Time Out Of Mind, among many others.
He started producing records for local musicians from his mother’s basement in the 70s. Over the years, his atmospheric production style and ambient solo work have earned him seven Grammy Awards, eight JUNO Awards, induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame, membership in the Order of Canada, and plenty more.
Well into his sixth decade in the music industry, Lanois is as productive and inspired as ever.
Inside the studio/temple, he is shaping a new chapter in his impressive career. He’s creating new music and getting ready to bring a live trio to Alberta in October.
He’s focused on two major projects: one is Belladonna II, a follow-up to Belladonna, his Juno Award-winning 2005 atmospheric, ambient instrumental album.
He’s come full circle, signing again with Warner Music, which released his first solo album, Acadie, in 1989.
“We’re back in the trenches together,” he says of himself and Warner, “and so that’s it: I will try and deliver a masterpiece of sorts and send that off.”
The other is a new solo album, including a song called “My All” for which he pauses the interview to sing and play a few verses on his 100-year-old Steinway Model O.
“I’m very lucky and very excited,” he says, about it all.
Making ambient records with Brian Eno in the 80s solidified his interest in experimental sound. “I respect the past but I take the responsibility of taking things to the unknown, to the future, so the creativity is still with me.”
Many of his friends have retired, he says, but it’s not for him.
“Creativity is fundamentally imagination and exploration and I don’t think anybody ever retires from that,” he says. “If you’ve got a curious mind, then let it live on.”
Lanois says he’s focused on gratitude now.
“I’ve been boxing my way out of a corner my entire life. You know, French Canadian, my mom a single mom with four kids, growing up in Hamilton. We didn’t have any cash; there’s been a lot of hardship. I’m not complaining. I had what I had and I did what I did,” he says.
“I suppose at this point of my age and my artistry I’m just feeling very, very grateful and I’m trying to make the best music I can, touch as many hearts as possible.”
His mission now is to help people through his creations.
“I’m not looking to be told I’m great; I’m looking to unlock something in somebody’s heart,” he says. “If my music allows somebody to dig inside and discover a little something about themselves, then that’s good work done, Danny.”
Lanois brings his trio with Jim Wilson and Jermaine Holmes to Sherwood Park on October 9, St. Albert on October 10 and Calgary on October 11. Tickets and details can be found through his website.
“Deadly Nightshade” from Lanois’ 2005 ambient album Belladonna:
