Posts Tagged ‘Adrian Quesada’

BLACK PUMAS – ” Capital Cuts Live from Studio A “

Posted: March 11, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Even if you don’t know Black Pumas by name, you’ve probably heard “Colors,” the Austin band’s now nearly ubiquitous hit single. “My friends call me and tell me all the time, ‘I can’t get away from you, dude. I can’t even go grocery shopping,’” says singer Eric Burton with a laugh.

Burton wrote the song on his uncle’s rooftop overlooking Alamogordo, New Mexico, years before he ever recorded it. The dynamic frontman went on to busk on street corners up and down the West Coast before ultimately landing in Austin and hooking up with bandmate Adrian Quesada to form Black Pumas in 2017. 

Recorded direct to acetate – all live, no overdubs – “Capitol Cuts – Live from Studio A” captures a powerful moment in time. After months of cancelled shows, Black Pumas went to Los Angeles this past fall and laid down eight explosive tracks at the famed Capitol Studio A. The recording brims with pent-up energy, nearly bursting through the grooves on the expansive and mind-blowing seven-minute rendition of “Colors.” After landing a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist last year, the duo gained even wider exposure with their performance during the inauguration festivities in January, and at this year’s Grammys on March 14th, they’re up for three more nominations—including record of the year and album of the year. 

While “Colors” has put the duo on the map, their inventive takes on such numbers as Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” or the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” have offered new fans an alternate introduction to the band’s unique sound. Burton’s vocals feel at once familiar and futuristic: He says he was influenced from an early age by greats like Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, but you’re just as likely to hear trippy sound effects and distortion as you are soaring high notes. And Quesada’s dexterity on the guitar lends an almost jam-band-like feel to many of the tracks, which beg for a live audience—even if, right now, the pair has had to settle for livestreams and late-night appearances.

A few weeks later the song would receive a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.

Pre-order the limited edition ‘Morning Sun’ vinyl from the ATO shop, out everywhere physically June 4!

BLACK PUMAS – ” Colors “

Posted: January 22, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Austin, Texas has a new rock sweetheart and they performed for the president last night. Last night on the post-inauguration event Celebrating America, nestled between rock legends like Bruce Springsteen and pop stars Katy Perry and Demi Lovato, came Austin psychedelic soul band Black Pumas with a performance of their song “Colors” from their 2019 self-titled album. The duo virtually performed straight from the heart of Texas at ACL Live in Austin. For many viewers, this was possbily the first time they’d heard of Black Pumas, unlike their household name line-up counterparts.

The Grammy-nominated band has been beloved in their hometown since its inception just over three years ago, but for those who now find themselves searching for more information on the Lone Star state musicians, here’s the rundown. Black Pumas are made up of vocalist Eric Burton, 31, and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada who met and formed the band in 2018. Quesada, a forty-something, worked with the likes of Prince and Daniel Johnston, as well as Austin Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma before itching to start his own project in 2017.

The magic started when a mutual friend connected Quesada to Burton, who at the time was busking in downtown Austin. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2019, and “Colors” hit number one on Billboard’s adult alternative chart in February 2020. Black Pumas’s sound encompasses the gritty blues and rock Austin is known for, joined with soul and psych tones that bring new life and underscore Burton’s silky smooth vocals. It’s the sweet balance of modern and retro at the same time, akin to Grammy-nominated Coming Home by fellow Texan Leon Bridges or Grammy-winning Sound and Color by Alabama Shakes. In 2019 they were swiftly nominated for Best New Artist, losing out to Billie Eilish, but come on, so did nearly everyone else.

The deluxe edition of their self-titled album is nominated for two Grammys, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Colors.” They are also nominated for Best American Roots Performance for “Colors.” Quesada and Burton recently broke down the hit track from Quesada’s studio Electric Deluxe Recorders, giving insight to their writing process behind the track that arose as Burton woke up from a midday nap and admired the sky from his uncle’s roof.

Black Pumas popularity originated from their energizing and captivating live performances. They warmed up for Celebrating America on January 19th at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, offering a technicolor take on “Colors.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7AVeI9Ol-4

This was their second time on Colbert this year, after covering Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” back in June. Another riveting cover version in their repertoire is The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” an experimental version they discussed in their “Sweet Conversations” Youtube series. Last month the group recorded a Tiny Desk (Home) Concert, with a setlist that shows off more from their debut work, including “Red Rover,” “Fire,” “OCT 33,” and “Colors.” Get to listening and viewing now!,

GLORIETTA – ” Glorietta “

Posted: July 12, 2018 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Glorietta is a musical project that brings Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit together with some of his closest friends: Noah Gundersen, Kelsey Wilson, David Ramirez, Jason Robert Blum and Adrian Quesada. The group is releasing their debut, self-titled record Glorietta on August. 24th. Even Nathaniel Rateliff, who had an album with The Night Sweats come out earlier this year, joined in and learnt vocals to the track “I Know.”  The release of second single “Golden Lonesome,” which followed the premiere of “Heatstroke” last week.

The track comes from a moment of crisis for Gundersen who, before flying out to the sessions in Glorietta, N.M., was feeling the effects of a recently ended relationship. “I was having a bit of a meltdown,” Gundersen recalled. “I almost considered cancelling my flight. But instead I wrote this song and then called a Lift to the airport.”

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The lyrics of “Golden Lonesome” distinctly come from this place of pain and change: “Better to kill it quickly than to slowly watch it die,” reasons one of the lines. With the vocals at its forefront, the song generates a warm intimacy between performer and listener as a slight echo adds depth while maintaining a live rawness. “Tape ran constantly” during the band’s nine days of recording, capturing an overflowing confessional in “Golden Lonesome.”