The Black Keys Fan Lounge » dan grzeca

The Black Keys New Years Eve Chicago Poster

brucini — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:42:37 +0000

For Black Keys fans, Chicago was the place to be on New Years Eve 2009 and New Years Day 2010.

Didn’t make it there myself. But my favourite Black Keys poster artist Dan Grzeca and Chicago native had been hard at work prior to the shows.

I’ve long been a fan of Dan’s work. I reckon this New Years Eve poster is my favourite poster he’s produced. Maybe just because I’m also Year Of The Ox, more likely the human-like animal motif and colours just work. The one-eyed depictions are common in Dan’s work.

You don’t have to have have gone to the gig to get the posters. You can purchase it ($30 – bargain!) and others from Dan’s etsy store or visit him at his website.

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The Black Keys Posters Of Mine

brucini — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:37:20 +0000

The Black Keys official merchandise shop today added Posters for sale.

Interestingly enough, presently, they are only stocking Dan Grzeca poster prints.

I recently purchased 3 Dan Grzeca prints from Dan’s etsy store. It had been a long term aim to buy some of Dan’s Black Keys posters after I had first seen his posters and art last year.

I really like the artistic licence Dan takes and the cryptic, imaginative ‘creatures’ his imagination commits to printed form. I needed to know more and this past Black Keys Fan Lounge interview provides further insight into his perspective.

I’ve had the posters I bought framed up along with two other posters which I had procured in the past year.

Here they all are in their framed, glass reflective glory. I could take photos of them looking like gallery exhibits, but I like the sheen and glare of the camera since this is how I glimpse them around my house.

Now, if only I had wall space to buy more of them…

You can also see all The Black Keys posters for sale on ebay.com via the page tab at the top of this site.

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Interview: Dan Grzeca – Black Keys Poster Artist

brucini — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:00:23 +0000

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

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