Lonely Boy: How I Accidentally Annoyed The Black Keys and Then Blogged About It.

Music Blog by me and Grok X-AI:

So, I’m new to Nashville—fresh transplant, barely know a soul—and I hear The Black Keys are doing a low-key DJ set at a local lounge. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, two of my favorite musicians, spinning tracks at a Record Hang? Hell yes, I’ll have to make an appearance. I grab my GoPro, figuring I’ll snag some killer footage—maybe even gift them some slick marketing clips. A win-win situation. Or not at all as it later turned out. Spoiler alert.

I roll up solo, already feeling middle-aged and out of place in a room full of hip locals. Everyone’s dancing and losing themselves in the mixes—meanwhile, I’m that guy creeping along the sidelines, filming like it’s my own personal documentary. I sneak in some zoom pans, thinking how great the video clips might be. Then a guy claiming to be security shoves me away from the scene. Suddenly it became apparent that I was that lone weirdo who was ruining the vibe in the vicinity.

Back home, I check the footage. It’s a disaster. Too dark to be useful and the audio is atrocious. My grand plan to capture groovy clips for The Black Keys? Dead. About an hour of unusable wreckage. Turns out GoPros don’t vibe with dim lounges and loud locations. Worse, I’m now paranoid I’ve pissed off one of my favorite bands. Were the guys glaring at me and muttering to each other; “Who’s this jackass?” Perhaps. Or worse while my mind raced into imagination overdrive.

I spent most of the next day stewing in shame, hoping I could just do last night over again like the movie Groundhog Day. Am I socially retarded? Check. Blissfully unaware I was tanking the room’s energy? Double check. I’d moved to Nashville partly to chase cool experiences like this—maybe even turn my videography & editing skills into a side hustle. Instead, I got a masterclass in how to botch it all hilariously. Staring at my computer, watching the footage of my own failure, wondering whether I should ever go out in public again.

So no slick edits for the band, no viral moment, just a bruised ego and a tragic Nashville hustle story. Screwing up an opportunity, self-loathing, and trying to find something positive worth salvaging. If I ever manage to figure out lighting, audio and basic social awareness, I might try again. For now, I’ll settle for editing my own flop into something worth reading hopefully.

Since this is also a music blog, there needs to be a video included for obvious reasons. In this case, “Lonely Boy” certainly feels the most appropriate. And if I do decide to make another public appearance someday, I’ll have to study Derrick T. Tuggle‘s moves before hitting the record button again. He has timing and vibe and became a legend in his improvised dance scene…

Click here for The Black Keys website and upcoming tour dates.

I also just learned there was a return of Derrick T. Tuggle for a reunion sequel of sorts. And just like that, we have a second bonus video from their most recent 2024 album, Ohio Players. This recording is called “On the Game” and includes Noel Gallagher of Oasis fame. Some consider it to be their best song ever.

About The Author

Blake Walley

Blake Walley is a writer, reporter and producer. An idealist and truth-seeker obsessed with the future. A new media trailblazer and outside-the box-thinker. Former Las Vegas bartender influenced by Gonzo journalism. Inspired, eccentric, and always up for a challenge. Blake has been making waves for over 10 years with his original analysis and creative style.

See author's posts