Recently I wrote a post about the Black Keys posters the band commissions to promote their live shows.
I noted one of the best Black Keys poster artists was Chicago native, Dan Grzeca. I love his posters and other Black Keys poster art fans might do too.
I wanted to know more so I contacted Dan Grzeca and he was kind enough to share his thoughts, explain a little more about his Black Keys posters and his connection with the band.
Below the interview are the posters Dan refers to in the interview.
How and when did you first get started in doing poster art generally?
I started making posters about 12 years ago for bands in Chicago, mostly for Ken Vandermark and the Free Jazz scene here. I was introduced to screenprinting by Steve Walters and Bob Hartzell initially.
How did you first make contact with The Black Keys to produce poster art for them? Or did they contact you?
I was hired by the Metro to make a poster in Dec 2005 for a pair of ‘Keys shows; I met Patrick at Pitchfork the following year when I was showing my work there. From there I started working with the band directly on making posters.
Any idea how many Black Keys specific posters you have done now?
Probably 15 or so. I need to go count.
Does the band give you complete freedom of expression for each poster?
They do. It’s really great. Dan and Patrick are super nice and seem to like the insanity I pour into my work. I have a lot of fun making images for their shows.
Do you approach designing a poster that will be used to promote a show in a specific place differently to others? ie. London, England, vs Akron, Ohio
Sometimes I do, subconcsciously. First I always want to make sure each poster functions in a pretty direct, iconic way visually.. The last Akron poster was specifically one that would only to me work in an American venue, esp the midwest, with this sort of mythic woodend dog wandering through the hills. I had just made a poster before that for a show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. I had to use the Bald Eagle with a broken down shack. I just had to.
Black Keys posters are quite varied in their look for each show. The horse and eagle motifs are represented in a few, although represented in very different ways. Is there something about the band that triggers those representations or is the symbology just what you are interested in?
It’s a case of images and symbols I’m interested in generally and directing them to the band specifically. The Eagle was great to use as the Keys are what I would call, in no ironic sense, a great American rock band.
I presume you like the band’s music. Or is this irrelevant to how you express yourself with the poster art?
I pretty much have to really like a band’s music to make posters for them. The progression on the last 4 ‘Keys records has been great to listen to. I really appreciate their covers (Beefheart, Sonics) too.
Do you have collectors buying every print you do for the band?
I do. It gets crazy.
Any specific Black Keys projects you are working on now that you would like to let Black Keys’ fans about?
Just drumming up ideas for shows in 09 that they might need posters for. I have piles of sketchbooks with thumbnails of poster and print ideas, so there is no lack of images waiting to turn into posters.
Any advice for budding poster artists trying to get their break?
Make a lot of work, start locally and then build up from there. Love what you do, or don’t even get into it.
How can fans buy your Black Keys artwork?
I sell my posters in my online shop: www.jetsah.etsy.com
Related posts:
- Black Keys Tour Poster
- The Black Keys New Years Eve Chicago Poster
- The Black Keys Posters Of Mine
- Interview with Patrick Carney from The Black Keys – Part 2
- Dan Auerbach Tour Posters
Want to discuss The Black Keys with other fans? Check out The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum here
[...] band has always had a respect for grass roots poster art and publicity and we’ve covered this quite a bit this year. The new Black Keys official [...]
[...] Black Keys poster artist, Dan Grzeca, made an interesting comment when he described thinking about how to represent the band in images. He said he thinks of them as “a great American rock band”. With this in mind maybe that fits with the outsider thinking too in a roundabout way. The USA has a grand vision to take in those down-trodden from around the world, to give them shelter and hope. It doesn’t always get it right (who does?), but it is an inclusive motif for a band otherwise standing on the outside looking in for inspiration. [...]
[...] his imagination commits to printed form. I needed to know more and this past Black Keys Fan Lounge interview provides further insight into his [...]