Full interview : Daniel Lanois leaves background for spotlight

As a producer, Daniel Lanois is at least partly responsible for U2's "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby," Peter Gabriel's "So," albums by Bob Dylan and Brian Eno, and other assorted works of awesomeness. So, he's a god, pretty much.
Lanois' career as a musician has been less eventful, at least until now. He recently formed the bluesy/dub-y/soul-inspired Black Dub, whose self-titled debut was released this month, with vocals from Trixie Whitley, the daughter of the late singer-songwriter (and Lanois friend) Chris Whitley.
Black Dub's summer touring plans were derailed when Lanois, 59, was in a motorcycle crash from which he is still recovering. On the phone from Canada, Lanois, who also recently released his autobiography, "Soul Mining: A Musical Life," explains it all:

Q

So what made you decide to form a band?

 A
It sounded exciting to me. I was doing a show in Belgium with the drummer and there just seemed to be something in the air. And at the backdoor after the show was Trixie Whitley and her mother. Trixie said, "I'm singing now, and I'm writing songs." And I heard her, and I thought, wow she's got something great. We recorded a couple songs, and it went pretty well. She loved the music, and her vocals were first take. I took it as a sign to put a little band together. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to go after some music I hadn't done for myself yet.
Q

There seems to be a nice garage-band feel to what you're doing.

A
I know what you mean. There's not a lot of smoke and mirrors. There's something sweet about the rawness of it.
Q

It's been a long time since you recorded (your own music).

A
That's not entirely true. I put out an (instrumental record) … and I did spend two years in Ireland working on the U2 record. So that's two years gone. The meter was running.
Q

What's it like to go into the studio to do an album of your own versus a record like U2's? Is there a different anxiety level?

A
You know, I used to separate everything, but I don't anymore. … I've always enjoyed helping people, and when I'm producing people I pick up some of their habits, and I carry the torch into my own work or to Black Dub or maybe a soundtrack. It's like life, itself, you know? We don't live in little compartments. I quite like the idea of being the Dave Grohl of Montreal (laughs).
Q

Is it like the first day of school the first day you work on an album?

A
Oh, yeah. The first day in the studio, it has to be a winner. You have to build confidence, to win the confidence of the room. I always try to have people leave the studio on the first day feeling as if they'd come to the right place.
Q

You've said this album is very influenced by dub. Had you been listening to that a lot before you entered the studio, or are you one of those people who don't like to listen to any music before they record, because they're afraid of being unduly influenced?

A
My friend Billy Bob Thornton, the filmmaker, feels that way. He hardly watches anything at all because he doesn't want to be tainted by someone else's good work. Luckily, for me, I don't listen to much music to begin with.
Q

Really?

A
Yeah. I bump into music by an off chance, and I certainly have my favorites from the past. … I'm just as happy listening to Bulgarian women's choirs.
Q

Do you listen to a song on the radio and think, "You're doing that all wrong"?

A
I'm not that critical of other people's work. I look for innovation. If someone manages to pull off something I've never heard before, that piques my curiosity. It's rare to hear something fantastically original, but I keep my ears open.
Q

When you're in the studio with your band, are they (too intimidated) to tell you when you're wrong?

A
We're only human. I've bumped into several walls trying to find the proper direction. Everybody's the same. You have to keep your ears open to suggestions.
Q

What about your own production work? Do you only do things that will really challenge you?

A
I've only ever operated by invitation, so it's really about what comes my way. I was very pleased to get a call from Neil Young. I produced his last record, "Le Noise." I guess no two invitations are the same. I like to be in the presence of good company. Smart lyricists, people who are driven by the right motives.
Q

Was your record delayed by your motorcycle accident?

A
Yeah, unfortunately, I had a motorcycle accident, and we had to cancel the July tour. But I'm mending pretty good — it's not a pretty sight. I broke 10 bones. I'd never been through anything like this. It's made me very sympathetic to people who have accidents like this.
Q

Are you back on the bike? You'd better say no, young man.

A
I'm on four wheels now, mom.
onthetown@tribune.com
Daniel Lanois' Black DubGreat music from a producer extraordinaire
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Lincoln Hall,
2424 N. Lincoln Ave.
Price: $25 (21+); 773-525-2508 or lincolnhallchicago.com

source : http://www.chicagotribune.com/ by  Allison Stewart