February 17, 2012 16:15

The Black Keys record track with Michael Kiwanuka

Frontman Dan Auerbach teams up with BBC Sound Of 2012 winner

Photo: John Peets/Press

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach has recorded a collaboration with Michael Kiwanuka.

The Ohioan frontman told BBC Newsbeat that he had worked with the BBC Sound Of 2012 Poll winner at Kinks legend Ray Davies' studio, although didn't reveal when the track would be released.

Speaking of his appreciation for the London-singer, Auerbach said:

It was great – really quick. We went and did it really quick at Ray Davies' studio. It was nice. Obviously his voice is amazing the songs are cool. The production on that stuff is great too – I like what the guy is doing.

Auerbach confirmed he and drummer Patrick Carney will be playing UK festivals this summer, but couldn't reveal which ones as they were "top secret". He also hinted that the band had already begun planning the follow-up to their latest album 'El Camino', which was released in December last year.

"We're always thinking about it," he said. "We've already planned some dates to get back in the studio this year to see what happens. There's no pressure to actually make a record – just to get started at least. We don't want to waste any time."

The Black Keys, who are currently touring the UK, played a show as part of the 2012 NME Awards Shows last week (February 11) at London's Alexandra Palace.

Marina And The Diamonds, The Drums and former Gallows man Frank Carter's new outfit Pure Love will also play one-off London shows as part of the 2012 NME Awards Shows.

Kurt Vile, Totally Enourmous Extinct Dinosaurs, The Big Pink and Alabama Shakes will also all play gigs in February as part of the build-up to the NME Awards.

The full list of gigs is as follows:

Cloud Control/We Are Augustines/Dog Is Dead/Citizens!, Electric Ballroom (17)
The Big Pink/Mozart Parties/Sissy And The Blisters, Garage (20)
Kurt Vile/Sonic Boom/Real Estate, KOKO (21)
Alabama Shakes/Jessie Ware, Boston Arms (22)
The Jezebels/Dry The River/Kai Fish/Hey Sholay, KOKO (22)
Oh Land/Alpines/Aluna George, Heaven (23)
Little Dragon, Forum (24)
SCUM/Big Deal/Toy, Bush Hall (24)
Marina And The Diamonds/Eugene McGuinness, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (26)
Zulu Winter/Oberhofer/Filthy Boy (27)
The Drums/Spector/Devin, Roundhouse (27)
The Cribs/Spectrals/This Many Boyfriends, ULU (28)

To check the availability of NME Awards Shows tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0844 858 6765.