The Black Keys Fan Lounge » liam finn

2008: The Black Keys Year In Review

brucini — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:32:41 +0000

It’s that time of year again when everyone looks back at what was and what could have been. It’s no different for me and The Black Keys. Here’s a few observations about the band in 2008. And some crystal ball gazing about 2009.

2008

The Black Keys (almost) became part of a mainstream consciousness.From Letterman to Lollapalooza the band must have played more shows in 2008 than any other year. It seems Dan and Pat have been on the road constantly. Across the States, Europe, Australia (twice) and elsewhere.

They are certainly getting themselves out there but I for one fear burn out. Geez, they both have wives who I’m sure would love to see them more.

The new Attack & Release album came out to almost universal praise. It was a landmark in that it was so strong and diverse after the ‘OK but more of the same’ nature of Magic Potion. It’s opened more ears than any other. All the DIY recording over the years seemed to be expressed so well in th is big studio sound album.

Attack and Release seems to be on so many peoples ‘Top Albums of 2008′ lists. Everyone also talks about the hip hop production connection of Danger Mouse on the album yet The Black Keys have always loved hip hop and the Wu-Tang Clan specifically. And, correct me if I’m wrong, but their first album The Big Come Up remains the only album to feature samples.

Busy as they are the band has still found time to variously start their own label, found their own recording studio and help produce numerous up and coming bands we’ll no doubt hear alot more from in 2009.

The year was neatly wrapped and packaged by the new Crystal Ballroom Live DVD. It really showcased the breadth of sound, confidence and musical command of the band.

The 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 website leveraged off their album artwork and provided a strong identity.

As popular as they get Dan and Pat still have a real approachable quality to their personalities, wear Converse, and talk about fast food in more interviews than all other bands combined.

2009?

I’m still hopeful The RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan will produce the next album.

Who knows where Dan’s solo project will lead. I can only think it will be positive for the band to take a break. But then again it seems when the creative juices are flowing you’ve got to bottle them as fast as possible before the mojo vanishes as fast as it could previously be pumped.

Prediction: Dan will shave his beard off. Just like Liam Finn did after my post about their hairy visage.

Hopefully someone will answer my question about who is The Black Keys Roadie?

Hopefully all these questions and more will be answered if I can get an interview with the band when they arrive in Australia in early 2009. Come what may I’ll still be jibbering on about them in 2009.

Have a safe and prosperous Festive Season.

Share Post With Other Fans:

Six Degrees of The Black Keys

brucini — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:27:20 +0000

It hasn’t been a secret that Dan and Pat have been working on many artists new albums. What’s interesting is when you dig a bit deeper you discover some unexpected connections not only with the artists they have chosen to work with but others who are moving in the same circles as them. This also creates the possibility for some speculation about future collaborations.

In one of the best interviews I’ve read with Dan, he talks about the band’s DIY recording ethic and his gear fixation. This affinity for music making in their home studio and open attitude to musical influences/direction (Danger Mouse) has created a natural propensity for passing on their experiences to others and working with them.

When I thought about some of the artists they have worked with, I couldn’t help but think about the more melancholic and darker strains of The Black Keys sound and attitude. The artists also seemingly have their own raw, distinctive and authentic sound much alike the ‘Keys when they first attracted greater public attention. One such artist who fills both categories is Jessica Lea Mayfield. The languid and mournful sprawl of Dan’s guitar fills the space so well on her track “I Can’t Lie To You”. She, of course, became The Black Keys first guest vocalist when she recorded vocals for the track “Things Aint What They Used To Be” on the Attack and Release album.

Dan is quoted on Jessica Lea Mayfield’s MySpace page explaining, “I think she’s dark and moody in a mysterious way, not unlike Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.” I must say I was surprised Dan even knew who Nick Cave was. Perhaps I shouldn’t be considering that another band Dan has produced, The Black Diamond Heavies, are supporting Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds in Chicago on 28 and 29 September 2008. Just imagine a festival three-way of the ‘Heavies, Nick Cave and the ‘Keys doing a rollicking live version of Nut Bush City Limits! The mind boggles.

A while ago I wrote half-jokingly that Liam Finn looked “like a younger version of Dan with his own full beard.” I hoped for a possible collaboration between the two of them if they should ever cross paths. Now I read that no less than Jessica Lea Mayfield and Liam Finn are supporting The Black Keys on some UK tour dates in November 2008. I tell you my prophecy could well come true!

Supporting Liam Finn at present across the USA are The Veils. If Dan ever wanted a melancholic and self-absorbed band to work with then he should look no further. Lead singer Finn Andrews (who out of interest, my girlfriend saw at a Melbourne Boost Juice listening to his ipod the other day) appears part-Jeff Buckley, part-Nick Cave, part-praying mantis on stage and is surely the perfect brooding counterpoint for Dan to work on some tracks with.

If all this is too hard to follow, I’ve created this map of connectivity below to help explain.

Share Post With Other Fans:

Does Liam Finn go to Dan Auerbach's barber?

brucini — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:10:05 +0000

Today I was checking out the streaming footage of ‘I Got Mine’ from The Black Keys on the Letterman Late show. I was also admiring Dan’s beard, as usual. I’ve often thought about writing a post on musicians with full beards, but it’s always seemed like such an obvious thing to do. Then I was looking through some of the Letterman archives and checked out a recent Liam Finn performance on the show. It was striking how much Liam looks like a younger version of Dan with his own full beard. And although their musical styles are divergent there are still some similarities. I couldn’t help imagining how good the two of them would look doing a duet. They would, for sure, dominate the odd bearded couple of angst driven guitar-based tunes section of your local record store. I can only hope in future their paths cross at some free thinking music festival (maybe All Tomorrow’s Parties who run themed music events) or on a Japanese game show appearance devoted to bearded guitar playing musicians and their/my bearded dreams can be realised.

Share Post With Other Fans: