The Black Keys hit Target Center on Tuesday, just two short years after they last played First Avenue. Childhood pals Dan Auerbach (singer/guitarist) and Patrick Carney (drummer) also added more bravado and brawn to their latest record, "El Camino," as if they were making it with arenas in mind.
Auerbach, however, denies that was the case.
"We were just trying to make catchy rock 'n' roll songs," he said. "We weren't really thinking about venues while we were recording. We're not calculating enough to do that."
Here is Auerbach's report from the road.
Q: How are the Black Keys different playing to 10,000-20,000 people vs. 200?
A: It doesn't matter, honestly. It all comes down to audience participation. If the audience is into it, whether there's 150 people or 20,000, it's going to be great. If the audience is just standing there and not into it, then it's going to be boring.
Q: You guys expanded to a four-piece on your last tour but then went back to just the two of you to record "El Camino." How and when do you decide to work as a duo?
A: It was never a shtick for us, being a two-piece band. It's more entertaining for me as a musician to be able to come out and play as a four-piece and as a two-piece. The parts we play as a two-piece feel that much more special, and when we turn into a four-piece it feels that much bigger. We think it's a cool thing, and we feel lucky to get to do it.
