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Adrian Quesada steps into his star power in new LP ‘Boleros Psicodélicos II’

BBG News

Conversing with musician and producer Adrian Quesada feels soothing, like a balm has been applied to the conversation. His voice vibrates and fluctuates with curiosity and fascination, yet it remains gentle and doesn’t increase in volume excessively.

His personality, with its calming and hypnotic charm, is similar to the character of his latest album “Boleros Psicodélicos II“. This 12-track musical journey, which showcases Quesada’s Latin American inspirations and teamwork, was released on Friday.

It’s not unexpected that the easygoing musician from Austin leans towards a low-key presence, considering himself akin to Izzy Stradlin rather than Slash – although his name is prominently featured on his upcoming album.

In interviews, Quesada often expresses that he identifies more as a music producer than an artist. Being a solo performer is quite new to him, as he shared with The Times on a sunny day by Echo Park Lake. He finds it unusual and doesn’t align with his usual comfort zone since he prefers to work behind the scenes. His preference is to create the music rather than being in the spotlight.

A few weeks following the launch of his third studio album titled ‘Ridin’, Cuco received an invitation to perform the national anthem at Dodger Stadium.

As a low-key movie buff of the music scene, I’ve been skillfully navigating the industry for quite some time, keeping a low profile until recently. My bands, such as Grupo Fantasma with its 10 members, Brownout in the mid-2000s – also a dectet, and the Grammy-winning Black Pumas with their seven (occasionally eight) members, have all been part of my journey. Though I’ve remained behind the scenes physically, my musicianship and production talent have always shone brightly in the spotlight.

In 2011, Grupo Fantasma’s “El Existential” triumphed as the best Latin rock or alternative album at the Grammys. Black Pumas were initially nominated for best new artist in 2020 and later secured three more Grammy nominations in 2021 – among them being record of the year for their song “Colors” and album of the year for their self-titled album. Furthermore, they received two additional Grammy nods in 2022 and another one in 2024.

Quesada started out on his own with the album “Boleros Psicodélicos,” which served as a forerunner to his more recent work. This record included interpretations of boleros from various parts of Latin America, along with original compositions. Quesada recruited artists like iLe from Calle 13, Mireya Ramos and Gaby Moreno to contribute their talents to the creation of this project by singing on it.

The 2022 album was referred to by The Times as a “tropical, enigmatic-thriller record,” with a “crunchy, ’60s psychedelic rock vibe” that creates the perfect atmosphere for Latin indie’s most outstanding vocalists to shine brightly.

In a smoothly polished manner, “Boleros II” presents Quesada once more, interpreting the well-known romantic Spanish classic “Cuatro Vidas,” along with Los Pasteles Verdes’ “Hoy Que Llueve,” and some fresh compositions. Throughout, he skillfully incorporates his distinctive three-over-two rhythms.

Growing up in the border city of Laredo, Texas, Quesada often felt like he resided at an intersection within an intersection.

Quesada described Laredo as neither Mexico, Texas, nor the Rio Grande Valley exactly. Instead, it’s a unique blend, where people speak Spanglish fluently, making it hard to distinguish between English and Spanish. The culture is a mix, and for Quesada, music genres don’t matter much. He finds this melding of cultures quite fascinating.

In the ’80s and ’90s, much like many other American children, Quesada’s primary means of music discovery was by regularly tuning into MTV, complemented by suggestions from friends.

He shared that he spent a significant amount of time at home alone, often tuning into MTV to catch all the popular shows like “Yo! MTV Raps,” “Headbangers Ball,” “Alternative Nation” and “120 Minutes.” He explained this was his primary source of music discovery. Additionally, he received cool tape compilations from an older relative and borrowed hip-hop tapes from friends.

Quesada admits that he developed an interest in understanding the role of a music producer, sparked by his teenage years listening to N.W.A. He remembers himself seated in front of his Casio keyboard, which had a built-in drum machine, trying to unravel the complexities of what Dr. Dre as a producer had managed to create.

Adrian Quesada talks to The Times about his new album and the experience of being an Oscar nominee.

Showcasing the unfounded essence of boundaries we establish ourselves – be it nations or art forms – is among Quesada’s creative aspirations. Instead, he chooses to construct connections rather than barriers.

Quesada pointed out a concept known as ‘the narcissism of small differences.’ This refers to our tendency to exaggerate and cling to tiny distinctions we have with others, even when these differences are almost insignificant. He expressed that he now feels a sense of obligation to demonstrate that these differences are not as vast as they seem. For instance, Latin rhythms, soul rhythms, funk rhythms, and rock ‘n’ roll rhythms aren’t all that dissimilar. This perspective, Quesada believes, is largely shaped by his upbringing.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but notice the profoundly Los Angeles-influenced essence of Quesada’s “Boleros II,” a transformation undeniably shaped by his Texas roots and personal journey.

For the upcoming summer concert season in 2025, Grand Performances has unveiled their lineup for downtown Los Angeles. The scheduled acts are Adrian Quesada, Angélica Garcia, Baby Rose, and Ozomatli.

This year, Quesada received a nomination at the 97th Academy Awards for the original song “Like A Bird,” which he co-wrote with Abraham Alexander. The song is showcased in the movie “Sing Sing,” where it’s led by Colman Domingo.

As a cinephile, I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process behind that project. It was like uncovering hidden treasures within the film itself – from the clever visual storytelling to the intricate themes that resonated with me. On top of that, it sparked my imagination for potential musical compositions that could complement the piece.

The events surrounding the Oscars caused him to stay longer in L.A. than initially planned, as he explained: “The Oscars really turned my world around! With the announcement of my nomination and the actual awards ceremony, I needed to be here for about three months during the first quarter of the year.

The album “Boleros II” continues the Los Angeles momentum established at the Academy Awards, with a significant Angeleno influence. This is evident through the contributions of artists like Hawthorne’s consistently melancholic Cuco, El Monte native Angélica Garcia, and soulful Carson singer Trish Toledo. Although L.A. producer Alex Goose may not be Latino, his daring hip-hop production skills harmoniously complement Quesada’s diverse musical sensibilities.

Quesada remarked, “Los Angeles seems to have a strong Latino influence.” He showed Angelica, Trish, and Cuco various references, which they found quite familiar. It felt very natural for them to understand these things. Therefore, it appears that in Los Angeles, people grasp the culture quickly. I drew heavily on Los Angeles-based artists during this process.

A group comprising some of the most dynamic and illustrious artists from Latin America, including Juanes and Mon Laferte, share their perspectives on a music genre that’s swiftly gaining international recognition.

Currently, Quesada is accompanying Trio Asesino on their tour supporting the Hermanos Gutiérrez during their U.S. tour. On August 2nd, Quesada will play songs from “Boleros II” at L.A.’s Grand Park as part of a free summer concert series organized by Grand Performances. It’s worth noting that De Los will be co-presenting Quesada’s performance.

Quesada explained that the ‘Sing Sing’ series aimed to transform lives through artistic expression, not only engaging audiences as fans but also encouraging more children to pursue art. He firmly believes in the potency of art; whether it sparks a movement or simply brightens one’s day with a song, that’s the might of music.

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2025-06-30 19:31

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