The Black Keys Fan Lounge » Photos

Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studio, Nashville, USA

Dusty Reeds — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:00:42 +0000

This is a guest post by forum member Dusty Reeds. The Black Keys’ new album has been recorded at this Dan Auerbach’s new Nashville studio. The Black Keys Fan lounge won’t be publishing the address or adding the studio to The Black Keys Nashville points of interest map on this site.

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In mid-September my wife and I made a trip down to Nashville to see The Raconteurs play a show. While we were down there we took in many sights and sounds and among those was Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye studio. While we never got to step foot inside, the observations I made of the building itself and the impression it made on me are what I would like to share with you.

First of all, I took only one picture of the building (below). To snap numerous shots of the perimeter would have been pointless, because one only needs to see the entrance to get what is being asked by the occupants: “Go Away, nothing to see here.”

When I first walked up to the building I thought I must have made a mistake in my research on Easy Eye’s whereabouts. This was the antithesis of being easy on the eye. No sign, just the street address. Very bland in color, and very strong. A fortress, literally.

Numerous security cameras were accompanied an by 10 to 12 foot fence with razor wire (not just barb wire) running the entire length of it. I could not think of a less appealing structure to create music in. Although I imagine the inside is more attractive, I can only wonder as to why Dan felt the need to make the exterior so uninviting.

We visited a couple other studios while in town. Both we’re very warm and welcoming, even on the outside. And this is why I was so surprised to see the blandness of this structure. Many artists create a comfortable atmosphere in the studio in which they are recording to help relax them and bring out their artistry. Dan doesn’t seem the type to be a recluse. I would have expected the guy whom many compare Dan with to be the one with the fortress of a studio. But it was the exact opposite.

I imagine we’ll see before too long what music comes out of this studio from The Black Keys. I expect it will be great and none of this will have an effect on the music. I hope I’m correct. Because I really want this next album to be spectacular.

You can see photos of the inside of the studio here via Alysse Gafkjen’ photos of Dan recording Hacienda’s new album.

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On Photographing The Black Keys @ The Hangout Music Festival 2011

brucini — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:03:18 +0000

This is a guest post by photojournalist Cara Bloch.
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A visit to Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a rock photojournalist at The Hangout Music Festival 2011 is the best way to stimulate all senses at once – intoxicating salty sea air, dynamic southern cooking, the warm sun rays beaming down your back, and hypnotic music.

I am a 5’10 cheerleader type – lanky body, big hair lady photographer who has photographed live everyone from The Circle Jerks to The Dixie Chicks. In the photographer pits there are rules. The basics are: first come gets first spot, respecting the rules and regulation each band has requested, and get your money shot in three songs. Under pressure?

The Black Keys served us some psychedelic rock melodies, and a funky stylish groove. Mix that in the the breeze and you are feeling pretty pretty good. The pit of photographers was not dangerous nor seemed competitive. As the sun set, the magic hour began. The intense anxiety can creep under anyone’s skin. Still, the environment was soothing, therefore this pit was happily snapping away instead of acting like they are out for blood.

As a woman, I use my height to get up high enough to capture the ‘Keys expressions mixed with the perfect concert lighting. I use my octopus arms and get those two in one shot. I described them to a friend as playing a sonic ooze symphony with the bright blue sky, which could catch anyone off guard doing their job. Then again, you mentally fight yourself to get the best shot possible.

Some of Cara’s photos from the Hangout Festival:

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Photos & Video: Backstage With The Black Keys @ Bonnaroo 2011

brucini — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:49:35 +0000

One of the more annoying aspects of not being at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, was the selective webcast of the event which, for whatever reason, failed to broadcast The Black Keys performance. Performing on the main stage, The Black Keys by all reports rose to the occasion by doing what they do best, week in, week out. The only faux complaint seemed to be they only played for about 60 minutes.

Interestingly, and hilariously, the band were introduced to the stage by Aziz Ansari. If you click through to chrishawkcarter’s Youtube channel you’ll see he’s videoed the entire set off the Bonnaroo big screen with excellent sound. Hey, beggars can’t be choosers:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EQZ5IgAigA

The Bonnaroo folks were good enough to post this snippet of Tighten Up. What an epic view from the side of stage of the carpet of crowd as the band would have seen it sretching to the horizon and singing along. Let’s hope more of this footage is eventually released:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6iA7d0i-Ws

Some lucky folks were backstage, watching the band, and posting photos of the performance. Watching a show backstage or rather best described side of stage is a bucket list hope for most fans. Only the lucky and well connected get the opportunity it seems. At these bigger festivals there is more space and therefore more opportunity for the lucky and connected.

Live virtually for a second, imagine if you were there, or backstage at any show, with this view.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyJeBnN4Vck

Photo via @annawebber

Photo via @EleonoreDenig

Photo via @matt_lehman

Photo via @joemarchese

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Photos Of The Black Keys’ Photos

brucini — Sun, 29 May 2011 11:18:03 +0000

More than a year ago, when the deluxe edition of The Black Keys’ album Brothers was released with a photo book, I realised at least three photos in the book were taken in my hometown, Melbourne, Australia. At first this seemed like a curiosity to know about and nothing more. After going to the places where these photos of The Black Keys’ were taken, I’m wondering what took me so long to make the effort.

All these photos were taken years ago, pre-2009 at least. To find where these photos were taken and see the same graffitti that highlighted an original image (outside PBS FM radio station) or the oddly numbered ’13′ box (in the green room of 3RRR FM radio where the couch has changed and a band’s equipment was piled up in the room restricting a faithful reproduction of the original angle), is strangely comforting. You pause at these spots, imagine, and move on.

All these photos were taken by John Peets, The Black Keys’ Manager. Apologies to him, his copyright, and the deconstruction of the iconography that his images represent. It’s what fans do; it’s why they are fans of the band. Indeed, only a fan would traipse around the city visiting these otherwise nondescript locations.

There must be many photos where other fans can visit the sites where the photos were taken. If you know of a site, email brucini@theblackkeysfanlounge.com with an original image and your photo. Your efforts can be added to the map below noting where all these sites are for any other interested fans. If you live in Akron or Nashville and are a fan there’s a whole day’s treasure hunt worth of fun to be had seeking out photo locations.

Map of locations:

View Photos Of The Black Keys’ Photos in a larger map

Original:

Site Visited:

Original (I’ve used an available colour version, the deluxe edition book is in black and white):

Site Visited:

Original:

Site Visited:

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Competition: Win A Signed Copy Of The Black Keys’ Album Brothers

brucini — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:17:25 +0000

The Competition is now closed. 64 comments. Thanks to everyone for entering, so many great comments. And the winners are…

Dylan – Dan: “It’s like watching another guy try to steal your girl…”

Rianna – As you can see Dan is deep in thought, and pondering…
“I wonder who can swim fastest, a monkey or a dog…”

mac – ”This is makin’ me hungry…I wonder if Chick-Fil-A delivers…”

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The Black Keys Fan Lounge has three signed CDs of The Black Keys’ Grammy-nominated album, Brothers, to give away.

To win one of the CDs, all you need to do is:

‘Like’ The Black Keys Fan Lounge Facebook page (you can do so on the sidebar of this site).
Leave a Comment on this post with a caption explaining what Dan is actually thinking in this photo below

Caption this photo:

The competition is open until 13 February 2011. Winners will be selected by The Black Keys Fan Lounge and contacted via email (you’ll be asked to leave your email address when you Comment) and the CD will then be posted.

If you’re a fan of the band you might already have a copy of the album, or maybe you don’t.

Maybe your copy is a digital download and you missed out on all the tangible CD goodness?

The CD version of course also has a pull-out poster included (as seen in the photos). It’s the poster that has been signed.

The Brothers artwork was of course designed by Michael Carney. Michael was also nominated for a Grammy for his artwork on the album.

Winning a signed copy will allow you to give away your un-signed CD copy and convert another friend into a fan.

So what are you waiting for?

The prize (one cd per winner):

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The Black Keys’ Terminal 5 Crowd Stage Lighting

brucini — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:53:52 +0000

The effect of good lighting at any live concert shouldn’t be under-estimated. At The Black Keys’ New York Terminal 5 show the light was like purple paint poured all over the punters.

The purple lighting was dominant pre-show and between songs. Songs were dominated by other shades and the general stage lights and bright strobes.

Such a simple lighting technique seems to have a bonding effect, instantly there’s a unifying force other than the band. It’s mood setting and pacifying to a degree. It softens the harsh concrete angles of the venue and no doubt a few attitudes.

To see this light and the simplicity of its other-wordly effect it’s surprising it’s not utilised at more shows or by more bands.

As an aside, check the bald-headed dude going nuts in the video. The lights, the lights! They were clearly too much for him. This footage was shot after the main set and before the encore.

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The Black Keys From The Photo Pit In Black And White

yup_i_am_a_keys_fan — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:37:12 +0000

This is a guest post by forum member and photographer yup_i_am_a_keys_fan.
You can see more images by the author here www.flickr.com/natebnate and here www.beforetheblink.com

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As a diehard fan of live music, I’ve been going out to see shows for years now. Certainly I’ve dished out many-a-high fives to strangers after hearing the song I’d been hoping to hear live. I’ve stood in amazement at small bars and large halls watching as the night’s musicians captivated everyone in attendance. You’re damn right I’ve joined countless other concert goers in drunken shouts for an encore – that’s what watching a concert is all about! You get to witness a performance that will never happen again and enjoy it with friends and strangers alike! It’s awesome in my opinion – one of the most enjoyable things in life.

Somewhere along the way I started bringing my camera to capture some of these epic moments, yet I was never able to shoot my favorite band of the modern era: The Black Keys. It’s odd too because I grew up 20 minutes outside of Akron, OH, and have seen Pat and Dan play many many times – from free outdoor shows in their hometown and nearby college campuses to historical venues such as San Francisco’s The Fillmore.

However, this all changed on June 10, 2010, when I had the privilege of shooting their show at the Pageant in St. Louis, MO, for a local publication. Yeah, sure it was the same idea as the many shows that I have previously taken my camera to: try and get some good images of the band, capture the moment as it is happening, and have a kick ass time regardless. But this wasn’t really the same – it was the Black Keys for chrissakes! It was the band from back home that fuckin’ made it! The Ones who I’ve been rockin’ out to since the days of The Big Come Up! The two dudes who make music that I’m proud to crank the volume up to Twelve and give a fist pump out the car window…all the while singing out of key at the top of my lungs! I had the opportunity to photograph the Black Keys and I was fucking amped!

And let me tell you it was definitely every bit as cool as I thought it was going to be. Although I had to maneuver throughout the photo pit on crutches because of a broken leg, and deal with nearly falling on my ass every time I stood to snap a shot, it was well worth it. Not only was I able lean on the stage to take photos of the boys for the first few songs, but I also got to get smacked right in the face with that wicked engulfing sound that comes out with the very first note of Thickfreakness. That shit is sick! – no matter where you are in the crowd. During that same song I had an unobstructed view of Dan doing a moonwalk type shuffle across the stage as he filled the room with nasty thick tastes of what every guitar shredder in the room wanted to hear! UnFuckingBelieveable!!

Minutes later I’m in front of Patrick’s kit watching him beat the shit out of the drums on 10am Automatic. To hear it on your stereo speakers is one thing, but to feel that pulsating rhythm in a room of 2,400 rowdy motherfuckers is something entirely different. And here I was inches away from him, watching one of the most under appreciated drummers of today deliver gut punching magic with each drop of his heavy hands. I was floored. Absolutely stunned, and so caught up in the moment that I had to remind myself to get behind the lens and capture these moments.

For the first five songs I stood there, a broken legged photographer, soaking up all of this beautiful sweaty funkiness. All the while, never afraid to act like a proud Black Keys supporter. That’s right – with camera in hand I was fist pumping in unison with the crowd as Patrick pounded out the backbeat. Not hesitating to scream out “Fuck-Yeah” when Dan stood at the edge of the stage, hovering over me, laying down his undeniable dirtiness for the very appreciative crowd. You can bet your ass that 15 songs later I was lost somewhere in the crowd, high-fiving the gal next to me, and yelling wildly for the band from back home to give us just a couple-a-more heaping spoonfuls of their energy and creativity to chew on for the rest of the night. Like all of the great bands do, the Black Keys walked back on stage, took hold of their instruments, thanked the crowd for their ferociously loyal support, and continued to fucking Rock-n-Roll!
Long Live the Black Keys!

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The Black Keys’ Brothers Tour Stage Props

brucini — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:22:33 +0000

Changes to The Black Keys’ live show have not only included two addtional musicians for some of the songs and a new set list for the new tour. The stage props have changed also.

Every tour has brought a new set of stage props. For those seeing them live here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect to see.

A large banner with a graphic showing two hands firmly embraced dominates. It’s a clear reference to the Brothers album name and personal bond between Dan and Pat.

The clenched hands are framed within a large tyre image. Other banner graphics include rubber tyre tread patterns. These are, of course, symbolic of the band’s hometown, rubber city Akron, Ohio, USA.

Photos from the recent Crossroads, Kansas City, MO, show on from pink_fish13′s flickr set.

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The Black Keys’ New York Pop-Up Store

marshmeli — Wed, 19 May 2010 03:10:26 +0000

With their newest record, ‘Brothers’, officially unleashed to the world, The Black Keys will surely continue the promotional campaign until mid-fall, coinciding with a headlining tour, numerous shows supporting the likes of Kings of Leon and The Flaming Lips, not to mention a handful of festival dates, all across North America and Europe. What better place to begin the heavy publicity than the media capital of the world – New York City?

Their current slate of NYC-centered activities all began with a free Microsoft Kin sponsored show on Saturday May 15 in Tribeca and will include an opening gig at the first of two sold out Pearl Jam concerts taking place in The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. Then it is time for some national exposure consisting of a pair of late-night television performances on The Late Show with David Letterman (May 25) and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (May 26), both of which film in Midtown Manhattan.

While those events are certainly very exciting and prestigious for the band, one of the most interesting engagements is an intimate benefit performance on May 19 for Housing Works, a NYC non-profit charity that is fighting both homelessness and AIDS, at their SoHo-based Bookstore Café (126 Crosby Street, New York, NY). Corresponding with this “Live From Home” concert series performance, an exclusive Black Keys pop-up store will be open for three days, book-ending the aforementioned benefit and taking place at the same location.

Walking down Crosby Street to the Bookstore Café, signs in the windows are very visible indicating ‘Brothers’ has finally dropped. As I entered the store, I heard Blakroc playing out of the speakers and saw even more signage stating that this unassuming and charming bookstore has now been considerably taken over by The Black Keys. Their merchandise occupies up a modest amount of area, about a quarter of the main floor’s selling space. Also decorating the upstairs railings are huge photos that are featured in the deluxe edition of the new album.

A wide variety of products are available including CDs, DVDs, LPs, 45s, t-shirts, hats, and an even the Attack & Release koozie. Of course, tons of copies of ‘Brothers’ are waiting to be purchased, in all three editions (CD, double-LP, and Deluxe CD), and are given the most real estate. Prices at the store are very good and on-par with the band’s own web store, but let’s not forget that a portion of proceeds benefit Housing Works, so even if it is a little pricier than a major seller, it is for a great cause. A few items stuck out at me: first, there was a handful of copies of the elusive, limited edition of 200, Devo/Black Keys Akron split 7” that was offered as a bonus via their announced Record Store Day 2010 12” single; secondly, the lithograph poster from the benefit performance taking place at the Café on May 19; and finally, many t-shirts that are currently not for sale on the band’s web store.

All and all, this “pop-up” store is a nice and unique tie-in The Black Keys/Nonesuch where able to pull together. Some fans will certainly be rewarded by making the trip downtown during the next three days if looking for the band’s catalog in all tangible formats, clothing merchandise, or even a rare vinyl product. If you are in NYC, or surrounding area, check out the store and buy some Keys merchandise to help support Housing Works.

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Photos: The Black Keys @ SXSW, Austin, Texas, USA, 2010

brucini — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:31:21 +0000

The Black Keys have played a packed out free show at the South By Southwest Music Conference and Festival today, Saturday 20 March, sponsored by MOG.

It was by all reports a freezing cold day and the producer of the The Black Keys’ new track ‘Tighten Up’, Danger Mouse, was watching the show too.

MOG is an online music streaming service and they were launching a new mobile application at the conference. Indie rock meets the future of music, eh?

Seems fitting then this post is only possible through new technology.

These photos were uploaded by fans via Twitter during the performance.

Lucky fans being there, lucky for us technology can quickly represent the moment.

This post is published and the show isn’t even over. Bonkers!

Photos of the show including Twitter address credits of those who uploaded images below:

@robert_castro

@ultra8201

@Ryan_ShureAR

@jondekel

@eyesackversion4

@edinthekitchen

@isaac_arquieta

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