Spencer Taylor

For the Sun-News

Editor's note: Eric Burton is among the 2020 Movers & Shakers — profiles on people or groups expected to shape Las Cruces in the coming year.

LAS CRUCES — We all have a friend or two who have left the small town for the big city, eager to make it big in music, acting or some other artistry. Few do.

Former southern New Mexico resident Eric Burton is proving to be an exception.

He's gone from performing at house parties in Las Cruces to jamming on some of the largest stages in the world with his band the Black Pumas, who in November were nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Artist category. Here is Eric's story.

A stroll down University

Burton spent his childhood in Alamogordo and later attended New Mexico State University where he cultivated and honed his musicianship. As Burton talked to the Sun-News, he walked down University Avenue, a literal memory lane, and described Las Cruces as his “home in musical development.”

“I spent a lot of time on campus with Armando Perez at the music building,” Burton said. “We’d go and write songs on the practice pianos and shoot DIY music videos.”

Burton, now 29, recognizes the Las Cruces music scene as small, undiscovered and unique. “I loved that it was all-inclusive,” he said. “You could play anywhere. During the day you could play at a brewery, or on campus, or at a family event, then go to the more underground scene in the evening like house shows. It’s really underrated for developing musicians.”

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Burton listed several musicians from the Las Cruces scene not only as friends but musical influences with whom he still keeps in touch: Andrew Martinez, Luke Dumke, Manny Rodriguez and Nik Singleton of the Las Cruces-based band Decade of the Dead Arcade; Katie “KT” Neely; and Rein Garcia, Burton’s former roommate. Burton points to the members of Decade of the Dead Arcade along with Neely as sources of “warmth, friendship, food, and travel companions.” Garcia eventually left to pursue a music career of his own in Las Vegas, Nevada. “I learned how to busk through Rein, and I learned through his professionalism,” Burton said.

Busking is the act of playing music, or otherwise performing, for tips, often on a street corner.

Memorable house shows

Most of Burton’s more memorable performances in Las Cruces took place at the home of Andrew Martinez, where Burton paired with other notable traveling bands. Audiences for such shows attended through personal invite. I had the privilege of attending several of these shows, which featured impressive stage lighting and were highly interactive, as audience members standing a few feet away could speak to the bands between songs. Audiences were largely comprised of musicians, who sometimes had the opportunity to jam with performers after their sets.

I learned of Burton’s musical friendliness and fearlessness one evening when despite my reluctance to play unrehearsed in front of such a talented crowd, Burton repeatedly encouraged me to let go of fear and take a shot. We jammed some improvisational blues.

The Martinez house shows are something musicians from the Las Cruces music scene speak of to this day.

“I mean I remember Eric playing us 'Colors' years ago in Cruces and now it’s the lead single on their album,” Martinez said. “It’s a trip going from him playing that hanging out in a living room or something, to seeing him perform it on Kimmel ("Jimmy Kimmel Live!") last year.”

MORE:2019: Looking back on a year of great music

Martinez, who himself is a well-known musician from the Las Cruces scene, remains connected to many of the performers he hosted, going out of his way to keep in touch. Martinez and Burton recently reconnected in person at a performance at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe.

“Andrew came bearing gifts at the show. He brought bolo ties,” Burton said, noting that he sported one of the ties during the performance.

Martinez said he met Burton the same way the majority of people did, through busking.

“After meeting Eric, every hang out with us involved passing around a guitar and still does sometimes when we get to see him,” Martinez said. “I knew if any of us had the drive and talent to do something big, Eric would be the guy. I’d always see him walking with his guitar case in one hand, phone in the other. He’d be listening to his recordings to see how he could improve his song ideas.”

Leaving Las Cruces

No matter how much Burton loved the Las Cruces scene, he understood that if he were to reach the next level he needed a scene that was more connected to the music business.

“I decided to move to California to get out of my comfort zone, and I’m glad I did,” Burton said. “I was surrounded by the industry more intimately.”

Initially, Burton spent his days in California busking at places like the Santa Monica Pier. After busking key locations along the entire west coast on what he calls “the generosity of the people,” Burton decided it was time for yet a new challenge and a new scene. He moved to Austin, Texas, where an unassuming project would change everything.

In Austin, Adrian Quesada connected with Burton while seeking someone to help finish some tracks. The demo grew into something the pair viewed as two featured solo musicians.

“We handpicked a few of his (songs) along with mine to integrate our strongest points,” Burton said. “On our first show, we hadn’t conceptualized making a band.”

Becoming The Black Pumas

The shows grew successful enough that Burton and Quesada decided to extend their residency another month. “One thing led to the next,” Burton said.

“We were selling out shows, then it grew from there. Agents and management started coming and talking to us. It was a cool start," he added.

Eventually, the duo identified themselves as The Black Pumas. “Adrian was inspired by cat iconography on a trip out in Mexico and the name just stuck,” Burton said.

Burton points to a few key aspects that solidify the band's identity: “It’s Adrian’s tight woven production and my songwriting and plaintive voice. People, really enjoy the live performances. I think the live performances are our selling point for sure. A lot of people are enjoying the album but we owe it to the live show.”

The band goes out each night with a goal: “Using music to express in a way that touches on all of the emotions internally that are otherwise hard to express. If to no one else, then to myself to remind who I am and where I’m going," he said.

Now Grammy-nominated

The Black Pumas learned of their Grammy nomination while on tour in England. The band is up for the newcomer award alongside notable artists Lil Nas X, Rosalia, Lizzo, Tank and the Bangas, Billie Eilish, Yola and Maggie Rogers.

“I’m still going through the gamut of emotions for someone who was just busking,” Burton said. “Oh my God, it’s like, validation for all the years spent pursuing music in the first place.”

The Black Pumas nomination was a surprise to many. One Los Angeles Times article is headlined: “Who are Black Pumas, the Grammy’s mysterious new artist nominee?” The Grammys will air on CBS on Feb. 10.

From the NMSU practice pianos to a house stage to a street corner in California to an international tour, Burton has spent his life making music. Getting a Grammy nomination "means the world," he said.

MORE:2020 Grammy nominations: See the complete list of artists up for an award

“This is my life," he continued. "I’ve perused music for moving myself, friends, and family, wanting to be able to do that and nothing else. I’m fortunate to do this music thing and not be obligated to any other job. Looking back almost moves me to tears because I spent a lot of time struggling to focus.”

Spencer Taylor, a musician and freelance writer, can be reached at sirspence7@yahoo.com.

Meet the Las Cruces Movers and Shakers