Create a Free Account with The Current
  • Like and save music to a playlist
  • Get recommendations for new music you'll love
  • Save stories, podcasts, and more for later
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Please Log In
Forgot Password?
Don't have an account?
Need to confirm an account?

Reset Password

Check your email for the confirmation code

The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
  • The Current
    Great Music
    Lives Here.
    Listener-Supported Music
    Donate Now
Donate Now
Volume Button
Volume
00:00
0
listen
[0]
The Current
PlaylistSchedule
Donate
Live From The Current's Studio and Events

Black Pumas perform in The Current studio

by Bill DeVille

July 21, 2019

  Play Now [22:09]

Like this?

Log in to share your opinion with The Current and add it to your profile.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this song! We have added it to a personal playlist for you.

Eric Burton sings
Eric Burton singsMPR Photo | Nate Ryan
Black Pumas - Black Moon Rising (Live at The Current)
by MPR
Black Pumas - Fire (Live at The Current)
by MPR
Black Pumas - Colors (Live at The Current)
by MPR

"We didn't really have a master plan for anything," says Black Pumas guitarist Adrian Quesada. "I didn't reach out to anybody until a mutual friend in Austin recommended Eric [Burton]. We eventually got together and were recording songs for fun; we didn't really have an agenda at first."

Hearing their sound, it's hard to believe Black Pumas came together so casually — almost accidentally. Singer Eric Burton, originally from California, made his way to Austin, Texas, to get into the music scene there. When he and Quesada finally connected through mutual acquaintances, they took some time to develop the project now known as Black Pumas.

At the end of 2017, Quesada and Burton decided to turn their songwriting collaborations into a band. "Our goal was let's make it though a couple of months of a Thurdsay-night gig and see if anybody cares," Quesada recalls.

To put it simply, people cared. Black Pumas first single, "Black Moon Rising," was released in 2018. At the 2019 Austin Music Awards, Black Pumas earned Best New Band and Song of the Year honors. "For both of us, I think that it was really nice to have the reciprocation of appreciation for the project," Burton says.

While in town for a show at the 7th Street Entry, Black Pumas visited The Current for a session hosted by Bill DeVille. In addition to playing songs from their self-titled debut, Burton and Quesada shared stories about their work as musicians, including time spent with Prince in Las Vegas, and Burton's admiration for Otis Redding's classic song, "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay." Use the audio player above to listen to the complete session.

More Video

Songs Performed


"Black Moon Rising"
"Fire"
"Colors"
All songs from Black Pumas' self-titled 2019 album, available on ATO Records.

Hosted by Bill DeVille
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark and Adam Biel
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Luke Taylor

External Link

Black Pumas - official site

Gallery
10 of 10
Black Pumas studio session
Eric Burton portrait
MPR Photo | Nate Ryan
1 of 10
Black Pumas studio session
Adrian Quesada pulls his guitar off his shoulder as bassist Vince Chiarito looks on.
MPR Photo | Nate Ryan
2 of 10
Black Pumas studio session
Drummer John Speice plays with the Black Pumas
MPR Photo | Nate Ryan