Most bands change their sound over time. The Black Keys are no exception. Leaving aside a debate about liking the older or newer material, an interesting question is why it has changed.
The early Black Keys records are heavy in fuzzed guitar and heavy beat. Latterly they involve multiple instruments and soul stylings.
In the video below David Byrne, of Talking Heads fame, elucidates an interesting theory that the architecture of the venues where music is predominantly performed live is an unconscious influence upon the composer. Simply, the artist starts with a passion and forms their style and then slowly they start writing music for the spaces where the music will be performed.
It’s an interesting thesis that a fan might apply to The Black Keys.
It could be argued early compositions are less polished alike the small venues where they first played, where the gritty fuzz would over rule peoples talking and movement. Over time the music has mellowed, there are more medium tempo tracks, big chords of the ‘I Got Mine’ variety that work better in the larger rooms and on festival stages.
I would say other factors are perhaps more consciously responsible. Factors that could be considered to have affected The Black Keys evolution might include:
- Early imitation of admired artists
- Recording equipment limitations
- Time to record
- Musical ability
- State of mind/influences at time of recording
- Age of the musicians
- Confidence to indulge influences/vision
Neverthless, here we’re discussing the un-conscious influence of the architecture of the venues the band predominantly find themselves playing in.
Part of David Byrne’s thesis is that certain music is better suited to certain venues. I’m not sure what the best sort of venue to hear The Black Keys is, but the band have found themselves playing larger venues every year. In 2010 they will be performing at all the major festivals (Lollapalooza, Glastonbury) and touring stadiums with Kings Of Leon. If The Black Keys were to closely ascribe to Byrne’s theory, they should/would only play certain sets in certain venues. These would include those songs which best compliment and are complimented by the accoustics of the environment.
Conversely, what’s interesting about The Black Keys is as they have grown in popularity and started playing larger venues, most of the Brothers record is, arguably, best suited in a smaller room. Part of the challenge no doubt is how they change up newer and slower sounds for a stadium/large venue context. Part of the enjoyment of following The Black Keys or any band is seeing how they re-contextualise their recorded music for all types of live environment.
Record companies are, of course, most interested in the style of music on each record because they are most interested in getting the most people to hear the music. Bands are too, some more so than others. Performing live is the most obvious source of revenue since record music sales have been wedged by music sharing. The Black Keys’ have, however, stated time and again that they consciously define their musical sound. Maybe un-consciously though the architecture has changed The Black Keys’ sound, to a degree.
What do you think?
Related posts:
- The Black Keys New Album Recorded At Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
- The Black Keys’ Slower, Down Tempo Songs
- Secret Black Keys Byron Bay Warm Up Show
- Keeping It In The Auerbach-Carney Family
Want to discuss The Black Keys with other fans? Check out The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum here
I saw that David Byrne video a weeks ago and it’s very very good. It does make sense. He describes it perfectly to make complete sense.
TBH i think its more to do with age, influences and whats actually happening in your life and around you. E.g although i was younger some of my older songs have more interesting subject matter but that was due to things happening in the world that where having a big impact, twin towers, iraq/afghanistan etc etc. But now i’m older my song writing may not have that same depth, but the songwriting itself is getting better and growing, im writing about characters that are drunk alot, throwing things away etc, this is all what i see and sort of at times how i feel. Also what i listen to effects what im playing if im listening to a lot of acoustic based stuff i wont be writing some banging riff based tunes, but now im bored with acoustic and im wanting some noise and been listenin to a lot more rock n roll and blues again and thats starting to come back through. I think the venue’s definately do come into it as you know you need to fill those spaces, but i dont think its a sub concious thing, i think when you sit down and you write and you have the added pressure of a label wanting the record to be bigger than the previous ones, you know you need to write singles, you know you are playing a bigger venue to a bigger audience and you know you need to play the songs live and you want the songs to go down well live and so you write what you think will fulfill that. I know as soon as i’ve written a song that it wont go down well live, but it will sound awesome as part of an album, its just the way it is. Nothin subconscious or mystic about architecture!
I agree with TheHokes to an extent. With time and age your style does change. Plus they have been getting bigger the past few years, and with more money , it allows them to take more risks and chances. the part I dont agree on is hearing “you know you need to write singles” I dont think there are alot of bands out there (save top40 groups) that really start to write a song thinking that they have to write a single.
oh yea of course man, i would hope most bands don’t write with single in mind, i just think as the pressure increases and the money behind the band increases then the pressure for a decent single increases as they need to keep that level of popularity up. and i think this will probably play on the writers mind. i wasnt really thinking of tbk when i said that more so bands like Stereophonics etc. But on the other hand, if you listen to tighten up… it stands out as a “single” track and its much more accessible to the average music listener than their other tunes. just a theory/opinion