Daniel Lanois Interview: Advice to the Young

“Should one be so lucky to find something they are good at, then pursue it with full passion, man.” Spot-on advice from one of the world’s most sought-after producers Daniel Lanois, who forwards wisdom from the legendary Brian Eno.
To be “a master of a few things” seems to be a key element in Daniel Lanois’ musical landscape. When he worked with Brian Eno in the 1980s they sought to become experts at a few specific things, and their field of expertise soon came to be the boxes in which they created their characteristic ambient soundscapes. This strong and early sense of direction is what he considers the foundation for his success as one of the greatest music producers of our time: “I find people wait too long to get into things.”
Daniel Lanois (b. 1951) is a legendary Canadian music producer, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. He has received three Grammy Awards for Album of the Year as well as several nominations. Among the albums he has produced are U2’s ‘The Joshua Tree’, Bob Dylan’s ‘Time Out of Mind’ and Peter Gabriel’s ‘So’. As a musician he has invented the legendary ‘ambient records’ such as ‘The Plateaux of Mirror’, ‘Apollo’, ‘On Land’ and ‘The Pearl’ in collaboration with Brian Eno.
Daniel Lanois was interviewed by Kasper Bech Dyg at Musikhuset Posten in Odense, Denmark in April 2015.
Camera: Nikolaj Jungersen
Produced and edited by: Kasper Bech Dyg
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2015
Supported by Nordea-fonden

[@lisaeischens2352]

Music is clearly his calling and the music literally found him right at his doorstep. That’s what you call Devine Intervention and it couldn’t have picked a better person for the task of communicating through sound; a true gift.

[@gagemead27]

The sounds he makes with his slide guitar are so amazing.

[@rebeccaedwards9362]

Such a talented kind hearted man, I really enjoyed meeting him last week xxx

[@daflotsam]

The two dads who are afraid of their artistic kids being tempted to pursue an "unemployable" passion disliked this. :D

[@grithgough2990]

I think that Daniel Lanois' advice is so beautifully put and apt for these times of plenty that we live in. Less is more. Stop putting blockages in your own way and make do with the stuff at your disposal :-)

[@hazor777]

I can’t heap enough praise about Lanois - there are so many of my favorite albums that he produced, the guy is a genius!

[@stephopalopal]

So true, Daniel..the studio in NOlA, in the French Quarter,it is a pleasure that you would create & understood alot of what is,talked about. Even during sessions with other artists, just to come in from rainy NOLA,& chat & show some neat furniture that you got or let me play on a piano,thank you,miss that studio &hope all is well.peace

[@dudleybarker2273]

such a lovely man

[@blakesamuels2625]

just brilliant advice for artists

[@menecmt5718]

That's the way it is

[@Ryantalope]

Sage and a genius 👌🏼

[@tiagomoraismorgado1253]

great man

[@TheOfficialReThink]

Well said!

[@careybgrant7693]

Thank u

[@Checkthe3onyourtelephone]

I love the song that he wrote called the maker. I would love to hear him talk about how that song came to him.

[@marcelsiebers-carljohannes]

great inspiration, thank you!

[@CamRebires]

Beautiful

[@animasuzie]

Intéressant

[@Primordilian]

We take most of the outside sounds for granted

[@DFTaudioVisual]

Well done.

[@djswamptv]

what were the 4 boxes?