Riften is, technically, the fair trade for Markarth, a major hold for a major hold. But the main quest never forces you to visit Markarth, whereas you do have to visit Riften. And in visiting Riften, unless you do like I did the first playthrough and managed to bypass the entrance via jail, you will encounter Maul talking about the Black-Briars since that's a forced conversation, and you will probably will encounter Maven in the Bee and Barb (if you go there, which you probably will).
Even outside of Riften, you're still subtly reminded of the existence of the Black-Briars simply by the prevalence of Black-Briar Mead. The Stormcloak counterpart to the Imperial Black-Briars is of course the Markarth-based Silver-Bloods, but you hear virtually nothing about them outside Markarth, and again, you never have to go to Markarth in the main questline.
One of the more clever things about the game, I think, is that it forces you to have either a Silver-Blood or a Black-Briar (or both!) in political power at the time of Alduin's final defeat. Play neutral or partway through the Imperial quests, and Thongvor (and possibly Maven) will be on the thrones of Markarth (Riften) because of the peace treaty. Play Stormcloak to completion, and Thongvor will be. Play Imperial to completion, Maven will be. Play Stormcloak partway, and Maven will be because the Imperials will demand Riften in the peace treaty.
But, again, it's very possible if you're just playing straight through the main quest that the only time you ever hear the words "Silver-Blood" will be as Arngeir is announcing his accession as the new Jarl of Markarth.