Why Dan Aueurbach Is Releasing His Latest Album On His Own Label

With new record Waiting On A Song emerging from a perfect run of songwriting and recording with Nashville icons like John Prine, Duane Eddy and Pat McLaughlin, Auerbach is wholly satisfied with his first solo album since 2009's Keep It Hid. "It fit like a glove," he says, reflecting on the ease in which the record emerged. "We just went with the breeze and made music you can't put in a box, and I really love that."

Rocking a sunny '70s vibe with an upbeat nostalgic shimmer, Waiting On A Song feels natural and free, an effortless channel for the world-class talent who turned up to jam at Auerbach's Easy Eye Studio. "I think they appreciated coming by my studio because it's extra creative," Auerbach explains on behalf of his 'session musicians', including Mark Knopfler, Jerry Douglas, Bobby Wood and Gene Chrisman. "Nothing was done by the book, everything just happened, so they got to really stretch out." Auerbach's studio space has been meticulously purpose-built to let this type of creative inspiration easily flow. "I created it specifically to record people playing together live, and everything just works," he says. "We haven't moved the drum kit for years! If something doesn't work, I get it outta here."  

"My mother sang all the bluegrass greats when I was growing up, those were the first songs I learned."

Guitar icon Duane Eddy bangs out a customarily jaunty '50s style riff on Livin' In Sin and Auerbach couldn't be happier about it. "Duane has a completely cinematic, truly singular sound on the guitar," he says. "He plays an instrument that millions and millions of people play, yet he's instantly recognisable as just Duane. I was in awe, his sound just penetrates you like a wave, it's incredible."  

Living close to the Station Inn, (the "world famous home of bluegrass music in the United States"), also helped Auerbach get right in the pocket. "My mother sang all the bluegrass greats when I was growing up, those were the first songs I learned," he shares. "Being a few blocks from the Station Inn, where you can see bluegrass music every night, makes me feel right at home."

Waiting On A Song still nonetheless marks a significant stretch into new territory for Auerbach beyond the studio. The first release off his own label Easy Eye Sound, Auerbach is now taking everything in-house on his own terms. "A bunch of other labels have always put out my records, so it felt like the right time to give this a go," he shares. "The albums I'm doing next are ones I felt I could really release completely myself."

There's no news on whether The Black Keys feature on the Easy Eye Sound release plans, or if they're rescheduling their cancelled 2015 Australian tour anytime soon. "We're just taking a break," Auerbach says, poker-faced. "I'm enjoying a nice little vacation making records like this."