Such a quote could conjure up an artist late in is career. However, Dylan LeBlanc, who is only 25 years old and being compared to greats like Neil Young and Graham Nash, has already had a musical career that most can only dream. LeBlanc began performing at venues in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a town located on the banks of the Tennessee River, when he was just 15 years old.
Muscle Shoals, also known simply as "the Shoals", has been credited for producing some of the most iconic hit records which have arguably shaped the history of popular music. Both FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio have provided the mixing boards and microphones for musicians such as Arethra Franklin, Al Green, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers, Lynrd Skynrd and the Rolling Stones - just to name a few.
Although, performing and recording in the shadows of such legends took a toll. It's no wonder Dylan LeBlanc was his own toughest critic and even walked away from a major label deal early in his career. He got lost in his own self-doubt and quickly slipped into a haze of drugs and alcohol while still in high school. His battle with sobriety heavily influenced his earlier songs, which are filled with a sense of heartache and loss. As he states, "It started because I ruined everything in my life at that time that really mattered to me."
In 2010, LeBlanc released his first album Paupers Field, featuring guest vocals from Emmylou Harris. After gaining critical acclaim, he began opening for acts such as Lucinda Williams and The Civil Wars. LeBlanc came out with his second album in 2012, Cast the Same Shadows and continued touring with greats, including Bruce Springsteen and the Alabama Shakes. After years on the road and taking some time off to battle his demons with addiction, he has returned to the scene "with a recalibrated compass". His newest album, CautionaryTale, was just released in January and while still filled with haunting vocals, there seems to be a wisened voice of newfound appreciation for discipline.
