One of the major forces behind the Black Keys is Daniel Quine “Dan” Auerbach, born in 1979. He’s an American musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer, best known as the guitarist and vocalist for the Black Keys, a blues-based rock band from Akron, Ohio.
As a member of the band, Auerbach has recorded and co-produced eight studio albums with his band mate Patrick Carney. In 2009, Auerbach released a solo album entitled Keep It Hid. He released another solo album in 2017, entitled Waiting on a Song. In addition to winning several Grammy Awards as a member of the Black Keys, Auerbach received the 2013 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical for co-producing his band’s 2011 album, El Camino, and for producing records by Dr. John (Locked Down) and Hacienda.
Auerbach described himself as a normal teenager in high school who smoked marijuana and captained the soccer team at Firestone High School. He attended University of Akron. During college Auerbach was heavily influenced by Junior Kimbrough, eventually resulting in his dropping out to pursue the guitar more seriously.
In an interview with PopMatters, he said “I’ve listened to him so much, it’s just how I hear it… I studied him so much… Getting F’s in college, when I should’ve been studying, I was listening to Junior Kimbrough’s music instead. Other major influences include: Robert Johnson, R.L. Burnside, Clarence White, Robert Nighthawk, T-Model Ford, Hound Dog Taylor, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Kokomo Arnold and Son House.
Two years after his first marriage ended in a final divorce, Auerbach married Jen Goodall in 2015. Jen Auerbach has worked around the world with the U.K. children’s charity Small Steps Project, now based outside Nashville. Jen is now an entrepreneur and co-founder of the Clary Collection, a line of organic natural skin care products.
“Every Chance I Get (I Want You in the Flesh” is the advance single from his label’s upcoming Easy Eye Sound compilation, Tell Everybody! (21st Century Juke Joint Blues) – (8/11/2023)
Recorded by Dan Auerbach at Easy Eye Sound studio, Tell Everybody! (21st Century Juke Joint Blues From Easy Eye Sound) spans the diverse blues spectrum, a payment of respect and admiration for the musicians carrying this American tradition into this century and beyond. Includes new recordings from Dan Auerbach, The Black Keys, RL Boyce, Gabe Carter, Robert Finley, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Moonrisers, Nat Myers, Glenn Schwartz feat. Joe Walsh, and Leo “Bud” Welch.
Tracklist:
Side A
- RL Boyce – Coal Black Mattie
- Robert Finley – Tell Everybody
- Moonrisers – Tall Shadow
- Dan Auerbach – Every Chance I Get (I Want You in the Flesh)
- Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Catfish Blues (Mono)
- Gabe Carter – Anything You Need
Side B
- Nat Myers – Willow Witchin’
- Leo Bud Welch – Don’t Let the Devil Ride (Mono)
- The Black Keys – No Lovin’
- Glenn Schwartz – Daughter of Zion (Featuring Joe Walsh)
- Gabe Carter – Buffalo Road
- Glenn Schwartz – Collinwood Fire
Discography
with the Black Keys
Solo:
Keep It Hid (2009)
Waiting on a Song (2017)
Blakroc:
Blakroc (2009)
The Arcs:
Yours, Dreamily (2015)
Video