It’s been a long term goal to interview The Black Keys for The Black Keys Fan Lounge. This goal has now been achieved. It was a great experience to recently interview The Black Keys drummer, Pat Carney.
Pat was kind enough to take some time answering a whole range of questions. These included general questions about The Black Keys, his own music, fast food (of course), why more girls don’t like The Black Keys, fans generally, Audio Eagle records and much more.
This then is Part 1 of the interview. Part 2 can be read here.
Thanks again, Pat.
I noticed you’ve proudly bought a cello recently, and you are playing bass in Drummer the band, yet you are universally known as a drummer. What other instruments do you play?
Well I can’t play the cello but I can buy the cello as of right now. We will see I would like to be able to play it but i have been pretty busy. I started out playing the guitar when I was 12. I never really got that great though but I can play it. I actually played a few guitar parts on the last Black Keys record but it is kinda silly since Dan is such a great guitarist. When I was 15 I got a job washing dishes and saved up all summer and bought a drum set and a bass mainly because my friends couldn’t drive and I wanted to have the equipment so we could play. After years of owning this things I kinda learned how to play them all decently. I also have a small obsession with synthesizers which started when I was 14 and got way into Devo so I have a few old synths that I can play as well.
How has this musical awareness affected your album production skills? And equally how you want your live sound to come across?
I think in the past year my whole approach to recording and music in general has changed. I used to have very strong opinions about how things should always sound but lately I am way more into working with other people who have ideas and compromising more. But I do think if you play a lot of instruments you are going to be more aware with how they work and how they are intended to sound which helps a lot. I am also very lucky that I have a lot of very talented friends who teach me shit everyday.
Can you tell me about how your musical relationship with Dan has evolved over the years?
I think we are still coming from the same place it all started 10 years ago but now we are better musicians and also more schooled on music. Playing music always feels exciting and natural.
You’re obviously great friends, there’s a brotherly affection there, and Dan has mentioned since when you first started playing together something special is always created when you play together. Do you see it in the ame way?
Yeah for sure. We have been through some shit together and have shared the same bed and van and all that shit. We have been touring usually over 150 days a year together for seven years so our relationship is very brotherly. And yes I see it the same way.
What can we expect from the next Black Keys album? There’s debate among fans whether you’ll continue the journey started on Attack and Release or you’ll retreat to a ‘traditional’ Black Keys thump-thump blues sound or you’ll move off in another direction?
We have it all planned and studio time booked and it will be what it is. We are both very excited about it and I prefer to let people hear it rather than describe it.
I’m hoping you’ll also tell me The Black Keys and The RZA are working on a track! Or he’s going to produce the album? I’ve long predicted it.
No RZA tracks in the works. But we would be into it.
I’ve always noted the contradiction that in interviews Dan and yourself come across as parts goofy, funny, and ironic yet on stage there’s a seriousness, earnest approach, some might say, predictable presentation of the music. Why the absence of the humor that we see in your personalities away from the stage do you think?
Dan and I and all of our friends spend most of our time making fun of each other. I like funny shit and prefer to talk about stupid shit in most interviews but I hate funny music. Trying to be funny on stage can be a disaster as well so it is best to just play I think.
Why do you seemingly always talk about fast food in interviews?
Fast food is real edgy and seems to be real important right now as well. I think fast food is very taboo and therefore it is extreme to talk about.
I’m led to believe Dan’s favourite hot dog topping is sauerkraut and mustard. What’s yours?
Well that is Dan’s favorite hot dog topping while he is in NYC (mine too) but I think we are both partial to the Chicago style dog, although Dan has ventured timidly into the chilli cheese dog lately.
Related posts:
- Maybe Why Patrick Talks About Fast Food A Lot In Interviews?
- Interview with Patrick Carney from The Black Keys – Part 2
- Patrick Carney's Solo Music Projects
- Patrick Carney vs Art Institute of Pittsburgh
- Patrick Carney vs Animal from the Muppets
Want to discuss The Black Keys with other fans? Check out The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum here
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