The Black Keys Look to Bounce Back with New Album After Tough Year
The music duo, the Black Keys, are determined to bounce back from a rough year in 2024 by focusing on creating music and touring on their terms in 2025. The previous year was marked by the failure of their album to chart well since 2006, as well as the cancellation of a tour due to low ticket sales. On top of these setbacks, they also went through the public firing of their manager, Irving Azoff, and their PR team. However, their latest album, titled “No Rain, No Flowers,” symbolizes a positive outlook on learning and growing from adversity, as explained by guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney in a recent interview before their performance at the Greek Theatre.
Carney expressed that this experience served as a catalyst for reassessing their touring approach, which they discovered was unsustainable and not beneficial for themselves or their fans. They both emphasized their preference for being underdogs and relished the opportunity to redefine their music journey on their terms.
The Black Keys, hailing from Akron, Ohio, consists of Auerbach and Carney, who initially bonded over sports activities in their youth before forming a band at the suggestion of their brothers. Their musical roots in blues and rock laid the foundation for their band, and as they navigated the music industry together, they forged a strong friendship despite limited prior personal interactions.
Starting as an indie band in 2001, recording their first albums in Carney’s basement, they later experienced commercial success with albums like “Brothers,” “El Camino,” and “Turn Blue,” which garnered multiple Grammy nominations and enabled them to headline large music festivals and sell-out arenas. Although some fans expressed skepticism about their shift towards a more mainstream sound, the band viewed it as an evolution rather than a sell-out.
Nevertheless, the Black Keys reached a point of burnout amidst their commercial triumph, leading them to take a hiatus to recharge and pursue individual projects. Auerbach ventured into producing for other artists while releasing music with his new band, the Arcs, and as a solo artist. Despite the critical acclaim, his solo endeavors did not match the commercial success of the Black Keys.
As they reunite for their new album and upcoming tour, the Black Keys embody resilience and growth, embracing challenges as opportunities for reinvention and striving to reclaim their passion for music in a way that aligns with their values and artistic vision.