Rob Baker, the guitarist for The Tragically Hip, has released a new guitar tutorial on how to play “New Orleans Is Sinking.” This song is a blues-inspired classic and one of the band’s most famous tracks. The tutorial was filmed at The Tragically Hip’s iconic Bathouse Studio.
In the video, Rob guides fans and aspiring musicians through his guitar part. He shares the story behind the riffs, his rhythm techniques, and how the song developed in the early days of the band. The tutorial wraps up with a fan Q&A, where Rob discusses his musical influences, gear, and how he created that signature sound.
Rob starts by reminiscing about the band’s rehearsal space in the late 1980s. He recalls, “We had a rehearsal space in an old abandoned meat locker. When we weren’t playing gigs, we were jamming. One night, we were playing ‘Shaking All Over,’ and it turned into something new. Gord [Downie] started singing, and that’s how ‘New Orleans Is Sinking’ was born.”
“New Orleans Is Sinking” is a key track from the band’s 1989 album, Up to Here. This album was a major breakthrough for The Tragically Hip, featuring two No. 1 radio hits: “Blow At High Dough” and “New Orleans Is Sinking.” The band, which included Baker, Downie, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, and Gord Sinclair, was nominated for “Most Promising Artist” at the 1990 JUNO Awards.
Even after Gord Downie’s passing in 2017, the band continues to celebrate their legacy by reissuing classic tracks. Check out The Tragically Hip’s music on vinyl or CD!
