Dan Auerbach (left) Marcus King at Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville in 2019.
Growing up in a musical family in Greenville, S.C., Marcus King was “really into counterculture especially anything guitar-oriented,” recalls the 25-year-old. By high school, he was spending his afternoons studying jazz theory at art school and his evenings at punk shows or DIY house concerts. “All those kids were really into The Black Keys,” says King, noting that the rock duo’s 2011 album,
El Camino, had recently come out (and hit No. 2 on the Billboard 200). “I was like, ‘This is mainstream rock, and it’s badass. It’s got a lot of soul behind it.’”
Reviews / / 04 · 02 · 2021
Aaron Frazer is a key member of Durand Jones & The Indications, a group whose position within the current pantheon of soulful voices with a vintage sound is assured. Stepping out in front of the mic, ‘Introducing…’ is nonetheless a daring debut, a gorgeous listen that drops the tempo and ups the feeling.
Tapping into lush early 70s songwriting while also doffing his cap to gospel and doo-wop, Aaron Frazer has crafted an album that sits perfectly with the sweet soul and low rider scenes, with his own lyricism marking him out from the crowd. Sombre and personal, there’s also a celebratory streak that makes ‘Introducing.’ a truly potent song cycle.
Best known for drumming and singing with soul revival band Durand Jones & The Indications, Frazer charts his own course on his solo debut, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach.
Best known for drumming and singing with soul revival band Durand Jones & The Indications, Frazer charts his own course on his solo debut, produced by The Black Keys Dan Auerbach.
Mark Kennedy
This cover image released by Dead Oceans/Easy Eye Sound shows âIntroducing.â by Aaron Frazer. (Dead Oceans/Easy Eye Sound via AP) January 07, 2021 - 9:22 AM
Aaron Frazer, âIntroducing.â (Dead Oceans/Easy Eye Sound)
This year is going to be fine. How can we be so sure? It s starting with the release of Aaron Frazerâs debut solo album. One spin and you ll be spellbound, swaying â and smiling.
Frazer, the drummer and co-lead singer for Durand Jones & The Indications, has teamed up with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys for the electric, falsetto-fueled and soulful 12-track âIntroducing.â
Auerbach has empowered Frazer to more deeply explore funk, soul, doo-wop, fuzzy guitars and blues, creating an old-new and deeply satisfying sound, from the horn- and Wurlitzer-led âIf I Got It (Your Love Brought It)â to the torch song âLeanin On Your Everlasting Love.â