When it came time for The Black Keys to write a second album for Nonesuch Records, they did what anyone in touch with today's musical tapestry would do: hire a hip-hop producer.
Danger Mouse, who is probably best known for his Gnarls Barkley contribution and, secondly, for his Beatles / Jay-Z mash up "The Grey Album," worked with guitarist-vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney to create their most dynamic release since forming in Akron, Ohio in 2002.
The indie blues duo released "Attack & Release" in April 2008 and, to everyone's surprise, it was successfully full of all kinds of new interesting components -- organ, piano, synths, and a couple of Tom Waits cohorts.
The Black Keys launch their summer tour on June 17 in Australia, make their way across the pond and stop in Milwaukee on Sept. 5 for a show at Turner Hall Ballroom. Tickets are $25 and are available at The Pabst and The Riverside box offices, on the Web at www.turnerhallballroom.org and www.tickets.com, or by calling (414) 286-3663 or (800) 511-1552.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
