As frontman of
the Black Keys, vocalist/guitarist
Dan Auerbach embraced the raw sound of electric blues-rock alongside drummer
Pat Carney. The Ohio-based band released a string of acclaimed albums during the early 2000s, including the Top 20 hit
Attack & Release, before
Auerbach opted to branch out with a concurrent solo career. Having built his own studio in Akron, Ohio, the songwriter began recording new material that melded his bluesy background with elements of psychedelia, country, and gospel. Recording sessions took place during the downtime between
the Black Keys' tour dates, and
Auerbach soon compiled enough material for a debut album. The resulting record,
Keep It Hid, was released in 2009 by Nonesuch.
After the release of
Keep It Hid,
Auerbach returned to
the Black Keys and the duo broke into the mainstream with 2010's
Brothers and 2011's
El Camino. The group's success opened the door for more creative collaborations for
Auerbach and he seized them, producing everybody from the garage rock band
Reigning Sound to New Orleans R&B legend
Dr. John.
The Black Keys took an extended break after 2014's
Turn Blue, and that year also saw
Auerbach's biggest productions to date:
Lana Del Rey's
Ultraviolence,
Ray LaMontagne's
Supernova, and
Nikki Lane's debut
All or Nothin'. In 2015, he formed the sideband
the Arcs, who released
Yours, Dreamily, that year.
Auerbach teamed with
the Pretenders' for their 2016 album
Alone before returning in June of 2017 with
Waiting on a Song, his second solo record. Bearing a strong '80s pop influence -- the lead single "Shine on Me" nodded toward
Jeff Lynne productions --
Waiting on a Song also featured cameos from
Duane Eddy and
John Prine. Later that December,
Auerbach released the decidedly vintage-sounding single "Cellophane Angel," which he recorded with New Orleans'
Preservation Hall Jazz Band. ~ Andrew Leahey