For more than four decades, Lawrence Gowan has built a remarkable career as a singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and performer, first establishing himself as one of Canada’s most distinctive solo artists before becoming an integral member of Styx. His breakthrough album Strange Animal produced enduring songs like “(You’re a) Strange Animal” and “A Criminal Mind,” the latter of which has remained a fan favorite and even found a home in Styx’s live shows. Since joining Styx, Gowan has helped carry the band into a new generation through his unmistakable vocals, musicianship, songwriting, and commanding stage presence. In this conversation, Lawrence joins Dakota’s Music World to look back on the journey that took him from discovering his passion for music to performing on some of the biggest stages in rock.

Along the way, we discuss the making of Strange Animal, working alongside legendary musicians including Tony Levin, and the story and lasting impact behind “A Criminal Mind.” Lawrence also reflects on how his relationship with Styx developed, what ultimately led to him joining the band, and how the group continues to evolve while staying true to the sound fans have loved for decades. We dive into Styx’s latest music, including the writing and recording of “Build and Destroy,” as well as the band’s use of AI as a creative visual tool for the song’s music video and the larger conversation surrounding technology and human creativity. Lawrence also talks about touring alongside Chicago and what it means to bring two bands with such deep Chicago roots together for a major hometown-area show.

Catch Styx On Tour!

https://styxworld.com/pages/tour