Luke LeBlanc is a Minneapolis-based folk rock singer-songwriter with a knack for connecting with people from all walks of life through his music. Born and raised in Minneapolis’ Northside, Luke’s journey into music began at the tender age of 11. Frustrated by his inability to play the songs he loved listening to, he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play. Not long after, he started writing his own songs, driven by a desire to create something uniquely his.
From those early days in a car seat humming along to his dad’s cassette tapes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and The Band in a rough & tumble 1980s Toyota pickup, Luke’s passion for music has only grown. His journey has been one of constant learning and pushing boundaries. This drive eventually took him to Nashville after college, where he rented a room from a Tour Manager and found himself overhearing phone conversations with artists like Lizzo and gaining glimpses into the business side of music. It was there that he co-wrote “Same Blues” with Roy August, the co-writer of the Oak Ridge Boys’ first number one hit, “Sittin’ Fancy Free.”
Luke has also worked with notable producer Erik Koskinen, known for his work with Charlie Parr and Trampled by Turtles. His music, a warm blend of rootsy folk and pop, has been featured on 89.3 The Current and praised by various music magazines, including Bluegrass Situation, Americana Highways, and Glide Magazine.
LeBlanc wields his creativity with balance, crafting songs with melodies and lyrics that appeal to Friday night dancers and Saturday morning book clubbers alike. His background as an economics major helps him navigate the complexities of the music industry with the same precision he applies to his music. Whether he’s booking shows or managing life’s to-dos, spreadsheets are his secret weapon. Luke’s social media is a mix of musical updates and candids of his three cats, a reflection of his creative process, rooted in and fueled by the real and complex emotions hidden in life’s day to day.
He has opened for a stylistically diverse slate of established artists including Charlie Parr, Amythyst Kiah, Phil Solem of the Rembrandts, Joey Molland of Badfinger, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Erik Koskinen, and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
His latest album, Places, released in late 2023, follows his 2022 album Fugue State, which followed his 2021 record Only Human. The latest in this prolific three year run has received critical acclaim, including an in-studio performance for The Current’s Radio Heartland and features in Ed Helms’ (of The Office and The Hangover) Bluegrass Situation magazine.
Luke LeBlanc’s music is a testament to his journey – a journey of growth, connection, and the relentless pursuit of his craft. His songs offer solace and a place for rest, resonating with anyone navigating the unstable world.
Photos by Tom Smouse
