Multi-Grammy-nominee, and KCRW superfriend, Adrian Quesada stops by to officially get the week off on the right foot. The kaleidoscopically talented producer-songwriter is best known for the soul stompers with an ultra-modern twist that he’s delivered for years with his band Black Pumas. In 2022, he emerged as a solo artist to keep close tabs on. His solo debut, “Boleros Psicodélicos,” re-imagines ‘60s and ‘70s Mexican psych-folk, and was born out of the stillness and introspection of life during the pandemic. His second solo album (and his second album to be released in 2022) “Jaguar Sound” drops on Nov. 18. Based on that album’s lead single, “Noble Metals,” “Jaguar Sound” will be more of a slow-burn, liquified-instrumental-funk affair.
Despite his position as one of the busiest musicians around, Quesada made ample time for an exclusive on-air interview rife with reminiscence. He discusses life on the border between the US and Mexico, growing up “between two worlds,” and how this upbringing shaped his musical palette. His love for DJ culture shines through, as does his reverence for visual art — an on-going source of inspiration for his music. Plus, his song picks are straight fire: spooky ‘60s girl-group sounds, fodder for youthful memories, and a drunken dance party jam for the ages.