Tears and beers accompanied the Black Pumas’ Grammy nomination, according to frontman Eric Burton. The psychedelic soul project, facing megawatts like Lizzo and Billie Eilish in the Best New Artist category, found out while winding down a sold-out European tour. The Austin breakouts return victoriously for a free Friday set on the LBJ Lawn, part of the pregame Longhorn City Limits series, with Vallejo opening.: “We felt very proud, but the next day Eric was back to work with headphones on,” says guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada about future material. “We have about 100 fragments of songs, and he’s actually been more productive about writing on tour.”: “We’re both really inspired right now,” explains Burton. “The roles that Adrian and I play, with our strengths and weaknesses, are starting to show now that we’ve been on the road together.”: The duo began performing together just 21 months ago with a C-Boy’s Heart & Soul residency. Quesada, already a Grammy winner with Grupo Fantasma, initially just wanted a vocalist to sing on a self-produced album. “From the first minute we recorded, I knew it was more than that,” recalls the Brownout maestro.: “But, I didn’t realize we’d be talking about a Grammy two years later. It’s evened out our levels of experience – most of what we’re doing right now is new to me as well.”: More than a studio project, the Black Pumas partnership went legit when Burton brought in his own songs. One was the groovy, haunting “Colors,” penned some 10 years ago. With a new video out by director Kristian Mercado, Burton says he dreamt the single up while contemplating spirituality.: “I was learning how to play guitar and that song came out,” adds Burton. “I wrote it on my uncle’s rooftop to an enchanted New Mexico sunset. It just wanted to move me, and I’m glad everyone feels that.”