Michael Carney (born January 9, 1982) is an American

art director Art director is a title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, live-action and animated film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supe ...

, creative director, and photographer. He is best known for his extensive, award winning visual work with the rock band

the Black Keys The Black Keys are an American Rock music, rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, Singing, vocals) and Patrick Carney (Drum kit, drums). The duo began as an Independent music, independent act, record ...

, for whom his brother

Patrick Patrick may refer to: *Patrick (given name), list of people and fictional characters with this name * Patrick (surname), list of people with this name People *Saint Patrick (c. 385–c. 461), Christian saint * Gilla Pátraic (died 1084), Patrick ...

is the drummer.

Career

Carney has been the art director for The Black Keys since their creation, designing all of the band's album art. In 2011, Carney won a Grammy for Best Recording Package for his work on The Black Keys' sixth studio album, ''

Brothers A brother (: brothers or brethren) is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingl ...

''. The album cover features a simple black backdrop with the text "This is an album by the Black Keys. The name of this album is Brothers." The group's label, Nonesuch, initially expressed confusion, but eventually gave the band, and Michael, their full support of the simplistic marketing. Inside the package, the album's disc was coated with a thermal film that changes colors (black and white) at different temperatures. Later that year, Carney was profiled in the ''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' article, "The Incredible, Inevitable Shrinking Album Cover" by David Browne. In 2011, The Black Keys released '' El Camino''. The album cover, designed by Carney, features a Chrystler minivan instead of an El Camino. According to Carney the look for the album cover was about capturing "the spirit of doing it the wrong way." A picture of a Chrysler minivan is printed on the album cover instead of an actual El Camino.

Personal life

Carney's uncle,

Ralph Carney Ralph Carney (January 23, 1956 – December 17, 2017) was an American multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer. While his primary instruments were various saxophones and clarinets, Carney also collected and played many instruments, often un ...

, was a multi-instrumental musician perhaps best known for his work with

Tom Waits Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on society's underworld and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He began in the American folk music, fo ...

. Ralph died on December 16, 2017, after sustaining head injuries from falling down steps in his Portland, Oregon, home. Carney's father is a retired longtime ''

Akron Beacon Journal The ''Akron Beacon Journal'' is a morning newspaper in Akron, Ohio, United States. Owned by Gannett, it is the sole daily newspaper in Akron and is distributed throughout Northeast Ohio. The paper's coverage focuses on local news. The Beacon Jo ...

'' reporter. His mother, Mary Stormer, is an Akron Municipal Court deputy clerk. His stepfather is Barry Stormer, owner of a residential design/construction firm. His stepmother is Katie Byard Carney, also a retired longtime ''Beacon Journal'' reporter. Carney attended

Firestone High School Firestone Community Learning Center (Firestone CLC), previously known as Harvey S. Firestone High School, is a public high school located on the northwest side of Akron, Ohio. It is one of seven high schools in the Akron Public Schools. The high ...

in Akron, where he took art classes as part of the school's fine arts program. Carney graduated from the

Columbus College of Art and Design Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is a Private college, private art school in Columbus, Ohio. It was founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School and is one of the oldest private art and design colleges in the United States. Located in dow ...

Work with The Black Keys

* ''

The Big Come Up ''The Big Come Up'' is the debut studio album by the American rock duo the Black Keys, released on May 14, 2002, on Alive Records. Background and recording The album was created in Akron, Ohio, also known as the Rubber City. As band members Da ...

'' (2002) – art director * ''

Thickfreakness ''Thickfreakness'' is the second studio album by American Rock music, rock duo The Black Keys, released in 2003. It is their debut release for the Fat Possum record label, although in the UK and Europe it was co-released by Epitaph Records. Back ...

'' (2003) – art director * ''

Rubber Factory ''Rubber Factory'' is the third studio album by American rock duo the Black Keys. It was self-produced by the band and was released on September 7, 2004, on Fat Possum Records. The album was recorded in an abandoned tire-manufacturing factory in t ...

'' (2004) – art director * ''

Magic Potion A potion is a liquid "that contains medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers." It derives from the Latin word ''potio'' which refers to a drink or the act of drinking. The term philtre is also used, often specifica ...

'' (2006) – art director * ''

Attack & Release ''Attack & Release'' is the fifth studio album by American rock duo The Black Keys. It was produced by Danger Mouse and was released on April 1, 2008. The sessions saw the band transitioning away from their "homemade" ethos to record-making; not ...

'' (2008) – art director * ''

'' (2010) – art director * '' El Camino'' (2011) – art director * '' Turn Blue'' (2014) – art director * ''

Let's Rock ''Let's Rock'' (known as ''Keep It Cool'' in the United Kingdom) is a 1958 rock and roll film starring Julius LaRosa as a crooner attempting to fight off the rival music rock and roll, Phyllis Newman as his songwriting girlfriend who convinces ...

'' (2019) – art * '' Delta Kream'' (2021) – art director

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Carney, Michael 1982 births Living people American art directors American photographers Columbus College of Art and Design alumni Grammy Award winners