Daniel Lanois

Nov 25

One of the biggest ‘draws’ for me to New Orleans was the deep connection to its music and the legendary artists who have shaped it—many of whom were tied to the work of Daniel Lanois. Lanois has always been a figure I’ve admired, not just for his immense talent but also for his story. Here was a producer who grew up in the same cities my friends and I called home—Cambridge and Dundas, Ontario—and went on to create some of the most iconic albums and songs of all time. His journey proved that global impact could begin in the smallest of towns.

In 2017, I was fortunate enough to spend time with Daniel in his studio (more on that in another post), but during a trip to New Orleans, I made a point to visit Kingsway Studios, his legendary recording space. Walking those streets, I felt a deep connection—not only to the musicians who walked them before me but also to the places that inspired their work. I even visited the same spots where artists ate, drank, and created. One unforgettable stop was the bar where The Tragically Hip famously wrote the lyrics to Little Bones: “It gets so sticky down here; better butter your cue finger up.”

Daniel’s work in New Orleans was nothing short of transformative. He brought a merry band of Canadians into this vibrant city, helping produce monumental records from artists like Bob Dylan, Blind Melon, and Emmylou Harris. His influence didn’t just stop with international stars; it also helped create some of the most defining albums in Canadian music history. Engineers from Kingsway Studios returned to Canada with the techniques and inspiration they gained, leading to masterpieces like The Tragically Hip’s Road Apples, Blue Rodeo’s Diamond Mine, and The Days in Between. The cross-pollination of Canadian and New Orleans musical culture is something truly special.

As I’ve gotten older, my connection to my hometown has deepened. Standing in New Orleans, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride knowing that someone from my community had such a profound impact—not just globally but in a city with as rich a cultural heritage as this one. It’s a reminder that our roots can lead us to extraordinary places.

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