Record producer, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Daniel Lanois’ newest project will make its mark on the Hamptons music scene this weekend. On Sunday at 8 p.m., his band “Black Dub” featuring Lanois on guitar, multi-instrumentalist and singer Trixie Whitley, Brian Blade on drums, and Daryl Johnson on bass, will be performing at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, playing their soulful, passionate music that has been enjoyed around the world. The band is sure to impress with its unique sound and meaningful lyrics.
Lanois started Black Dub after hearing a CD of Trixie Whitley, daughter of the late musician Chris Whitley. He loved her voice and began to form a band. Lanois said that “[My goal was] to put something together that would be fun for people to listen to and have some philosophically connecting lyrics.” The band’s name was inspired by Lanois’ love for the culture of Jamaica, where he has a home and a studio. He related that their style falls under soul music, because “it’s got a lot of heart in it, and I’m hoping that’s what people feel.” They are also influenced by a variety of genres including “dub” reggae, funk, blues and hip-hop/urban. However, the band is always looking forward – Lanois noted that “We are roots based, but we have an eye for the future.” Jon Pareles of The New York Times described Black Dub as “A gutsy soul singer backed by a band rooted in gospel, reggae, and funk, playing songs about love, loss, and faith…onstage the voices were one more sonic element amid the gorgeous commotion.”
Lanois is no stranger to the music business, having been a very prominent record producer since the 1970s. He started with this brother and friends in the basement of his mother’s home, and expanded from there – and the rest is history. Lanois has produced albums for superstars such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, U2 and Peter Gabriel. About some of the highlights of his career, he said, “I was pinching myself when I got to go to Ireland to work with U2, and got to work with Peter Gabriel in England.”
Three albums produced or co-produced by Lanois have won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and four others received nominations. In addition to producing, Lanois has had success as a recording artist, releasing a number of albums. In 2005, his instrumental album “Belladonna” was nominated for a Grammy, and he was also awarded a spot on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Black Dub is his latest project, and the band released a self-titled album in November of 2010.
Lanois is very excited to bring Black Dub to the Hamptons, and is grateful for all of the support they have received. He added that they have something special to offer everywhere they go, and they can’t wait to perform out here. Throughout the summer, they will also bring their music to places such as New York City’s Webster Hall, Paris, Switzerland, Germany and London. “How lucky are we,” he remarked, “to get up in the morning and make some music and travel?”
Lucky, indeed.
Black Dub will be performing on Sunday, June 19, at 8 p.m. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main St., Westhampton Beach. Tickets are $60, $45 or $30. For tickets, visit whbpac.org. or call 631-288-2350. [/expand]
