Twenty Questions For Adrian Quesada

Adrian Quesada plays as many roles as we have questions. This proud family man, producer, musician, bandleader, composer, community activist (AMP board member) and cultural entrepreneur has had an action packed year. With a new Grammy award and the upcoming release of a new project -The Echocentrics - this master collaborator (can you say Prince, The Thievery Corporation, Daniel Johnston and Larry Harlow?! ) is in major demand for his unique Latin sounds. As one of the founding members of Grupo Fantasma and cofounder of both BrownOut and Ocote Soul Sounds, Adrian has almost single-handedly put Austin’s eclectic Latin music scene on the map. With an esteemed nomination for the 2010 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative and his 2011 Grammy, it is evident that his hard work has paid off. Catch one of his projects in Austin while you still can!


1. Which words or phrases do you overuse?
 Apparently, Chingos, Likely, Chaf and a lot of curse words.


2. When and where were you the happiest?
 On vacation with my beautiful wife and kids / in the studio.


3. What would your last meal be?
 Anything from Mama's Fish House in Maui.


4. What would you change about yourself?
 Social anxiety


5. Boxers or briefs?
 Boxers


6.  What are you afraid of?
 Roller coasters. They just never seemed like a good idea. That, and the though of electric shock always scared me.


7. Who makes you laugh?
 Christopher Guest, George Carlin, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill, Katt Williams, and my sassy 5-year-old daughter.


8. What's the first thing you do when you get home after a bad/long day?
 Have a single malt scotch and breathe deeply. Watch basketball highlights and then read until I pass out. 


9. What advice would you give yourself 20 years ago?
 Don't waste ANY time and be very very patient.


10. What do you do if you have the blues?
 Listen to either Roberta Flack's "First Take" or Oliver Nelson's "The Blues and The Abstract Truth."


11. Do you believe in UFO's or chupacabra? 
 UFO's definitely. I have a friend who swears he saw a pack of chupacabras run through his yard...the jury's still out on that. 


12. Most underrated band in Austin?
 Don't know if they're considered underrated, but I'm always surprised PONG doesn't get enough attention. There's also a lot of great mariachi's here. 


13. What's on your ipod that would surprise us?
 A Justin Timberlake song (just one). I'd say the Jungle Book soundtrack but I don't know how surprised you'd be.


14. BBQ or Mexican? 
 Mexican


15. Your hangover cure?
 Vitamin B 12 and hopefully a Bloody Mary.


16. First job/ worst job?
 First: Working with my dad at his trucking company. Worst: working in a warehouse at a defunct sign company that was definitely not meeting any safety standards or codes...breathing in the most toxic fumes all day, every day with no ventilation. I've actually had worse jobs but don't want to call anyone out.


17. First concert ever:
 Mellow Man Ace in Laredo, TX 


18. Brushes with greatness:
 Prince Rogers Nelson. Been around a lot of my idols and mentors, but with Prince every moment was definitely epic. 


19. First record you owned:
 Tape: Beastie Boys "Licensed To Ill"
 Vinyl: Guns N Roses "Appetite For Destruction" or Anthrax "I'm the Man" EP
 CD: Beastie Boys "Licensed To Ill"


20. Define Success: 
 A journey not a destination.  


For more on Adrian and his many endeavors, check out Level One Studios.