ARTISTS WE LOVE- THE BLACK KEYS

The Black Keys are awesome. They are also my fellow countrymen, hailing from Ohio (Akron, though, not Cincinnati). The Grammy-award winning pair has sold close to two million records, which is really a shame, because they should be selling at least triple that. The alternative-blues-rock duo is made up of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney.

The band was formed in 2001, with the name “black keys” coming from a psychotic artist who would leave incoherent messages on their voicemails, which included calling their fathers “black keys,” according to an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air.

They’ve put out six albums, starting with ‘The Big Come Up’ in early 2002. It, along with their second album Thickfreakness (April 2003) was recorded on an early 1980s 8-track tape recorder in Carney’s basement. The third album, Rubber Factory, was released in 2004; the album was recorded in an abandoned rubber factory. The factory, located in Akron, was torn down in 2010.

By now, The Black Keys had gained more recognition and popularity. Their music was being featured in commercials and movies, and they were opening for bands like Radiohead. They also released their first live video album (“Live”) from a March 18, 2005 concert in Sydney, Australia.

On May 2, 2006, The Black Keys released their first solo EP, Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough, which covers Mississippi bluesman Junior Kimbrough’s songs. A few days later, they released their second live album from a concert in Austin, Texas. Their fifth album, Attack & Release, was accidentally leaked on the internet, and therefore debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200. The Black Keys began expanding their projects outside the band by this time, performing at the 2nd Annual Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, sitting on a judging panel at the Independent Music Awards, releasing solo albums, forming another band (Drummer, whose members include Carney and other fellow Ohio born and bred musicians), and Blakroc, a collaborative album which Auerbach said, “Pat and I have been preparing for this record since we were 16.” The album features The Black Keys and several hip hop artists, and is supported by Damon Dash.

Their latest album, Brothers, sold 73,000 copies in the first week and sat at the #3 ranking on the Billboard Albums chart. This album features the fabulous “Tighten Up,” whose music video is also very creative and funny:

The Black Keys were nominated for four Grammys: Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, and Best Rock Instrumental Performance. They won best alternative music album and Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The bands combination electric rock and old times blues is a combination of smooth vocals and incredible instrumentals.

Their Pandora station is amazing as well, with a healthy mix of The Black Keys, bluesmen like John Lee Hooker, classic rock bands like The Doors, and more current alternative rock bands, like the recently broken up White Stripes. They are a band not to be missed and listened to at every opportunity.

Here’s “Howlin’ for You”:

See their website http://www.theblackkeys.com/ for concert information.

-Julie Robison, Staff Writer

julierobison@prippie.com

ARTISTS WE LOVE- JAMES MORRISON

This week's Artists We Love is from across the pond. James Morrison, the British singer-songwriter-guitarist, came on the scene in 2006. His first influences came from his mother's soul music collection and his father's preferred folk and country. His Uncle Joe showed him how to play Mannish Boy, House Of The Rising Sun, and other blues riffs when he was 13.


Morrison was in a band called Peppermint Slugs in high school. Another source of inspiration came from listening to the radio and singing along to Jimi Hendrix. He was discovered in a pub called "Ryan's Bar" and signed when he was 22, in 2006.  Five years later, he is still making waves with songs from his upcoming third album, having played with other neo-soul greats like Jason Mraz. He hopes to release the new album in Spring 2011, and is potentially calling it "The Awakening."


Morrison still lives in England with his long-term girlfriend and their daughter Elsie.


Watch below for "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You". James Morrison's soulful beat and hip-hoppin' groove makes this song enjoyable to listen to and impossible not to tap along to the chords.

- Julie Robison, Staff Writer
julierobison@prippie.com

ARTISTS WE LOVE- ESPERANZA SPALDING

Photo Credit: Esperanzaspalding.com

If you didn’t see it, you heard about it. The 53^rd Annual Grammy Awards. “Beleibers” worldwide crossed their fingers, held in their shrieks, and waited to hear Justin Bieber’s name called for the prestigious Best New Artist award. But the moment came and passed, and shock filled the faces of these teenage fans. The winner wasn’t Justin, but Esperanza Spalding, a lesser known American singer and jazz bassist from Portland, Oregon. Spalding deserved the award. While her music may not be the most appealing to the Justin Bieber crowd, it definitely makes the cut for prippie’s Artists We Love.

While many news stories focus on Bieber's loss, we want to take a look at the real Esperanza Spalding and the great music that won her the award. Raised in Portland, Oregon by her mother, the 26- year- old musician is a natural performer. According to Spalding’s Wikipedia page, Yo Yo Ma’s performance on an episode of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood encouraged her to pursue her career. By age five she taught herself to play the violin. Her talent sparked interest in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon and Spalding played with the organization until she was 15- years- old. At the time she had reached the level of concertmaster.

Spalding went on to master the oboe, clarinet, and bass and can sing in three different languages. At age 16, Spalding left high school and enrolled in the music program at Portland State University. During this time she gained exposure playing live in Oregon Clubs.

Appearances on the Ella Fitzgerald tribute tour and on a national tour with her own jazz quintet expanded her exposure on the national stage. Recent and notable performances included the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony and Concert, 2009 Park City Jazz Festival, 2010 BET Awards, Austin City Limits in 2010, The White House Poetry Jam and the Late Show with David Letterman in 2011. Her appearance on Austin City Limits was so impressive that she became the most searched person on Google, overnight.

Spalding has released multiple collaborative albums, as well as three solo albums: Junjo, Esperanza, and Chamber Music Society. Her music can be described as jazz fusion with tones of her inviting voice matching the sophisticated yet energetic tone.

And the best part about Spalding? Her excitement and passion for the art of jazz music. In a message from her blog, she discusses last week’s Grammy win:

“Thank you.

I can hardly express what a surprise and a thrill it was Sunday night to receive my first Grammy. In the category of Best New Artist no less. I was and am totally surprised. I am still overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for all of the people who believed in my music and who voted for me.

Jazz artists aren’t typically nominated in this category, so that alone is special about the award this year. Bur, mainly I hope this will illuminate more than just an edge of the HUGE breadth of all that is happening in jazz music as a whole right now. So may this bright moment for me, also be a bright moment for my colleagues.”

Spalding’s next album will be titled Radio Music Society, and is due for release in late 2011.

-Bianca Mitchell, Editor
biancajanemitchell@prippie.com

Loving This Performance of "I Know You Know"