Daniel Lanois

Silver Lake has famously been home to Beck and the Dust Brothers, among other cutting edge musicians. Fewer people have been aware that singer/songwriter/producer Daniel Lanois has also resided in the area for the last five or so years.

Best known as a producer (Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, U2), Lanois is equally passionate about his own work as a writer and performer, and he will deliver that to locals and other this month. “Here Is What Is,” his sixth CD, comes out on March 18 on Red Floor Records, and Lanois will play live, backed by drummer Brian Blade (and possibly other musicians) at the Vista Theatre on March 27.

“Here Is What Is” is the title not only of the new disc, but also of a feature-length documentary on his work. “Here Is What Is” – the movie – debuts at South By Southwest on March 9, followed by a screening immediately after Lanois’ live performance at the Vista.

The movie follows Lanois at work over the last year, beginning in Toronto and ending in Morocco, and showcases talks with mentor and collaborator Brian Eno discussing U2, atheism and more. For the Vista show and screening, Lanois will fly in from Dublin sessions with U2 as they prepare a new album with promised “groundbreaking sonics” that should be out before the end of the year.

Though Lanois now splits the bulk of his time between Jamaica, Toronto and Europe, he’s had the same house in Silver Lake for nearly half a dozen years. “I keep a studio here, and I always have something on the burner,” says Lanois, an avid motorcyclist who often rides down to Mexico and garages his bikes at this local house when he’s not riding them.

LA-area artists Lanois works with include guitarist/composer/producer Michael Brook and Rocco DeLuca. And he’s tapped in to the local music scene. “[Spaceland booker] Jennifer Tefft calls me when there’s a cool show,” he explains, “and I run down to the club.”

The cover photo on “Here Is What Is” shows not Lanois’ face but a pedal steel guitar, which is his signature instrument and the heart of his sound. “I call it my church in a suitcase,” he says. “The harmonic interplay really appeals to me. Of all the electric string instruments, it’s the one that’s closest to the human voice.” Expect Lanois to play his pedal steel and other string instruments at the Vista.

Performances are at 6:30 and 9:30pm. Go to www.spaceland.tv for more information and to purchase tickets.