Daniel Quine Auerbach (born May 14, 1979) is a multi-instrumentalist best known as the guitarist and vocalist for The Black Keys, a blues rock band from Akron, Ohio.

Childhood and early life
Auerbach grew up in a family with strong musical roots. His cousin is the late Robert Quine. Auerbach became infatuated with blues music after listening to his father's old vinyl records during his childhood. He was influenced early-on by his mother's side of the family, notably his cousin who played bluegrass music. He was heavily influenced by Junior Kimbrough in college, eventually resulting in him dropping out to pursue the guitar more seriously. "I've listened to him so much, it's just how I hear it... I studied him so much... Getting F's in college, when I should've been studying, I was listening to Junior Kimbrough's music instead". Other major influences include: Robert Johnson, Robert Nighthawk, T-Model Ford, Hound Dog Taylor, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Kokomo Arnold.

Recording career

The Black Keys
In 2001, Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney formed The Black Keys in Akron, Ohio. The band released their first album, The Big Come Up in 2002, followed by Thickfreakness in 2003, Rubber Factory in 2004, and Magic Potion in 2006. Their fifth album, Attack & Release, was released on April 1, 2008 and was produced by Danger Mouse. Prior to forming the Black Keys, Auerbach regularly performed in the Akron area with his band The Barnburners. The Barnburners was a three-piece consisting of Auerbach on guitar and vocals along with a drummer and bass player.

Solo recordings
Auerbach's debut solo album Keep It Hid was released February 10, 2009 on Nonesuch Records. The album was recorded in Auerbach's Akron Analog studio using mainly analog and vintage equipment. Guests on the album include Auerbach's uncle, guitarist James Quine (first cousin of the late NYC-based guitarist Robert Quine), and protégé Jessica Lea Mayfield.

Engineering & Producing
In recent years, Auerbach has set up his own recording studio in Akron called Akron Analog where he has engineered and produced recordings from Buffalo Killers (Cincinnati, OH), Radio Moscow (Story City, IA), Brimstone Howl (Lincoln, NE), Patrick Sweany (Massillon, OH), as well as the well received With Blasphemy So Heartfelt album by Dan's 19 year old protégé Jessica Lea Mayfield from Kent, Ohio. Also backing up is Hacienda based in San Antonio, TX.

Musical Equipment
In a technique similar to many early blues players, Auerbach often uses a fingerpick on his index finger along with his thumb to play chords. Dan claims to prefer vacuum-tube amplifiers over solid-state. Besides guitar Auerbach also plays a Rhodes Electric Piano.