The 62nd Grammy Awards nominations confirmed what we at Front Row Boston already knew: that it was a stellar year in music. We had the pleasure of capturing some of the nominated musicians as they coursed their way through the Boston area. From intimate in-studio sessions to full concert recordings at House of Blues Boston, check out one-of-a-kind performances by Black Pumas, Big Thief, and more.
Big Thief
We traveled west to film Brooklyn-based Big Thief perform live at Gateway City Arts. Guitarist Buck Meek couldn't make the show, and the band’s set took on a particularly intimate vibe with moments of full-volume energy. Among the backdrop of late summer cicadas by the canals of downtown Holyoke, Adrianne, Max, and James talked with us about touring and the importance of being present.
Big Thief's U.F.O.F. has been nominated for Best Alternative Music Album.
Black Pumas
Black Pumas performed a live acoustic set in our Fraser Performance Studio. Lead guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada was held back by travel delays, but we were in great hands with vocalist/guitarist Eric Burton. Quesada and Burton met in Texas through a mutual friend who heard Burton busking in downtown Austin. The two connected and released their self-titled debut album in June 2019.
Black Pumas have been nominated for Best New Artist.
Calexico and Iron & Wine
Calexico and Iron & Wine performed a live acoustic set in our Fraser Performance Studio. Sam Beam and Joey Burns played stripped-down versions of three new songs and “He Lays In The Reins” from their first collaboration In The Reins. Their recent collaboration Years to Burn released in June 2019.
"Father Mountain" has been nominated for Best American Roots Performance, and Years to Burn has been nominated for Best Americana Album.
I'm With Her
The three celebrated songwriters of I'm With Her—Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan—came together at House of Blues Boston to share their remarkable musicianship and extraordinary harmonies.
"Call My Name" has been nominated for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song.
J.S. Ondara
J.S. Ondara performed a live acoustic set in our Fraser Performance Studio. Ondara grew up in Nairobi, Kenya and moved to Minneapolis 2013 out of admiration for his musical hero Bob Dylan. He learned English in school and through his love of music. His debut album Tales of America came out in February 2019.
Tales of America has been nominated for Best Americana Album.
The 62 Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for January 26, 2020 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
