Austin's Black Pumas Land a Best New Artist Grammy Nomination

Twenty-one months after debuting with a $5 Saturday night residency at C-Boys Heart & Soul, Austin’s Black Pumas this morning earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, one of the institution’s “Big 4” categories.

The psychedelic soul combo, headed up by singer Eric Burton and producer/guitarist Adrian Quesada, are up against some household names, with Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, and Lizzo, Maggie Rogers, Rosalia, Tank & the Bangas, and Yola rounding out the category. That kind of ridiculously stiff competition creates a scenario where if they lose, no one will be hurt, but if they win …

It’ll be legendary!

The homegrown act, which includes keyboardist JaRon Marshall, drummer Stephen Bidwell, bassist Brendan Bond, and singers Angela Miller and Lauren Hornsby, continues to enjoy an impressive ascent. They’re currently wrapping up a sold-out European tour and, last week, Iggy Pop played their single “Colors” on his BBC radio show.

Black Pumas won a similarly titled honor, Best New Austin Band, this year at the Austin Music Awards. This stacks as Quesada’s third Grammy nomination, netting two Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album nods, including one win, as part of Grupo Fantasma.

In fact, it proved a banner morning for nominated Austin acts, with blues guitar hero Gary Clark Jr. sweeping up four nominations tied to his 2019 LP This Land: Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Contemporary Blues Album, and Best Music Video. Also no stranger to Grammy nods: Willie Nelson for Best Country Solo Performance (“Ride Me Back Home”). Patty Griffin received recognition in the Best Folk category for Patty Griffin, and Sarah Jarosz appears in the Best American Roots Song slot for “Call My Name” from her supergroup I’m With Her.

In Best Traditional Blues, find Delbert McClinton & the Self-Made Men for Tall, Dark & Handsome, and Jimmie Vaughan for Baby Please Come Home. Toward the end of the 80 nominees, don’t miss Craig Hella Johnson & Conspirare in the Best Choral Performance for The Hope of Loving.