Black Pumas

A collaboration between producer and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Quesada and singer/songwriter Eric Burton, Black Pumas fuse cinematic neo-soul, light psychedelia, and a touch of urban grit. Rising from their studio origins to a hard-hitting live act, the group released their debut album in 2019. Through a mutual friend, Quesada -- a Grammy-winning Austin-based producer known for his work with Grupo Fantasma and Brownout -- was connected with Burton, who'd been making the rounds in Austin's singer/songwriter scene since busking his way from Los Angeles in 2015. Burton's dynamic and soulful vocals were a perfect match for the retro-funk- and R&B-flavored tracks Quesada had been working on, and the two joined forces in 2018 as Black Pumas. Working out their material both in the studio and on-stage during a weekly residency at Austin's C-Boys Heart & Soul Bar, they signed a deal with ATO Records and released a pair singles, "Black Moon Rising" and "Fire" in early 2019. Their debut LP followed in June of that year. ~ Timothy Monger