The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘It’s all for me’
The Black Keys’ singer-singer guitarist Dan Auerbach makes himself happy first when it comes to musical ventures or the popular Nashville recording studio he created
The Black Keys’ singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach is lost in his record collection.
While his duo — which parlayed an indie sensibility and blues sound into going from a garage-rock band to a sold-out arena-rock act — remains on hiatus, the Akron native and Nashville resident is exploring his pop side on new album “Waiting on a Song.”
The album features Auerbach joined by his idols John Prine, Duane Eddy, Jerry Douglas, Russ Pahl, Pat McLaughlin, Bobby Wood and Gene Chrisman performing classic pop-sounding material.
The epicenter for this musical journey is Auerbach’s Easy Eye Studio, which over the last eight years has become the go-to Music City studio for live recording. Forget GarageBand for this garage rocker. Instead, it’s all about capturing the moment, which is exactly what Auerbach did on “Waiting on a Song.”
Now the Grammy Award-winning performer is supporting the album with the “Easy Eye Sound Revue Tour,” featuring Robert Finley and Shannon & the Clams. The bill rolls through Northeast Ohio for a show March 31 at the Agora Theatre in Cleveland.
The News-Herald talked to Auerbach about his current project and why he doesn’t care what you think about his music.
Q
First of all, we’re looking forward to your return to Northeast Ohio. What are your memories of seeing shows at the Agora?
A
Man, I don’t remember going to see any shows, but I know I was there. I think mostly of going to like Beachland (Ballroom)-size shows. It was seldom I went to shows at a big place like that.
Q
Congrats on “Waiting on a Song,” which is a follow-up to your debut 2009 solo effort, “Keep It Hid.” How long has the new album been on your radar?
A
I mean, honestly, making music like that is sort of what I’ve always done my whole life. Sitting around, kind of playing songs that are in a way traditional and singing harmonies, that’s what I did with my family playing bluegrass music. That’s what led me to the guitar in the first place. The reason I moved to Nashville was because it was Music City. I built my studio right down the street from the Station Inn, the world-famous bluegrass spot. You know, it’s always been about music. It’s always been about being in a room and the interaction between the musicians. That’s why I play. So I guess it’s sort of finally coming together. That’s what the studio is.
Q
Why has Easy Eye Studio become the place to record in Nashville?
A
I set up the studio to accommodate a bunch of musicians playing at once, so I guess it was eventually my goal. That’s what I wanted to do, was make records, but make them in a way where they don’t really make them so much anymore: Where the actual musicians are playing all together instead of just overdubbing one at a time. I’ve been in Nashville about eight years now. I just keep meeting these people. I’ve just made these great relationships with all of these incredible musicians and writers, and now the studio is just, like, humming. It’s, like, buzzing every day. There is stuff going on there from sunup to sundown.
Q
In concert, which “Waiting on a Song” tunes are working well?
A
Man, we play almost every song from the record. And they’re all feeling really good in their own way. When we’re cutting the track, we don’t really think about how it’s going to translate on the stage, but these seem to be doing pretty good. I love doing “Cherrybomb.” Also, “Never in My Wildest Dreams” has a nice and light feel that’s, like, four-part harmonies.
Q
In addition to The Black Keys, you’ve also recently recorded with new band The Arcs. Now there’s a solo album. Do each of these projects scratch a different musical itch for you?
A
It’s all the same, man. It’s all just music. Each project has its own personality. And I don’t expect (expletive). I just try my best to make something good. If you expect things, what are you expecting things for? What are you making the music for? I don’t care, to be honest. It really is very selfish. The reason I make music — it’s all for me.
Q
That’s the way it has to be, right? Otherwise it comes across as artifice, and the audience will know that instantly.
A
Yeah, but you know what? So many artists and musicians are successful who do the opposite. So who’s to say who’s right and who’s wrong. All I know is what I do, and what I do is I just love music so much. Some of the musicians I worked with played on the greatest recordings of all time. Like the guy (Gene Chrisman) playing drums for me every night played on “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin, “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond and “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis. I want to make records like that.