AUSTIN, Texas — The Oscars are just over a month away, and while the ceremony takes place in Hollywood, one nominee has a Central Texas tie.
Austin resident Adrian Quesada was nominated Thursday for the category “Music (Original Song)” in the 97th Academy Awards.
The Laredo native is being considered for his song “Like a Bird,” which was featured in the 2023 prison drama film “Sing Sing” and received a nomination for “Best Adapted Screenplay.”
Quesada co-wrote the piece with Texas-born songwriter Abraham Alexander, and it’s up against four others: “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez, “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight and “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late.
This isn’t the first time Quesada has been recognized for his music. The songwriter has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards throughout his career, winning Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album back in 2011.
He’s also part of an Austin-area psychedelic soul duo, Black Pumas, working as a producer and guitarist alongside singer Eric Burton. The pair was nominated as “Best New Artist” at the Grammy Awards five years ago.
Their most recent album, Chronicles of a Diamond, was released in 2023, four years after the band’s first record, named Black Pumas. The band has over 3 million Spotify listeners each month, with popular hits including “Colors,” “Fire” and “Black Moon Rising.”
In 2023 and 2024, the pair went on tour in the U.S. and parts of Europe. In fall 2024, they performed on the PBS program Austin City Limits.
Fans can watch the 97th Academy Awards at 6 p.m. CST on March 2 on ABC, hosted by Conan O’Brien.