Leon Bridges: From Playing Coffeehouses to SXSW with White Denim [LISTEN]

Leon Bridges, Fort Worth, Texas native, went from washing dishes at a coffeehouse just months ago, to performing at SXSW and garnering popularity for his music on Soundcloud.

Bridges, 25, has an old-school, soulful spirit, capturing the attention of many. According to The Austin Chronicle, Bridges released a few songs ahead of his album expected to release in June that obtained more than a million plays on Soundcloud within a week of the release.

"A couple of months ago I was still washing dishes," Bridges told The Austin Chronicle. "I never thought my music would grow and people would know about me. I would never have expected all the opportunities that have happened. I wasn't sure if I'd be ready for it, but I'm just learning along the way and doing pretty good so far."

Guitarist Austin Jenkins and drummer Josh Block of indie rock band White Denim spotted Bridges last August and was so impressed with his musicianship, the pair produced two of Bridges' songs and joined his stage band, reported The Austin Chronicle.

"I really didn't know anything about White Denim when I first met them," Bridges told The Austin Chronicle. "Austin talked to me about recording and I was, 'Cool, let's do it.' I didn't think he would come through with it, but he got on it so fast. He got the players, he got the place and the first song was tracked."

The "Coming Home" and "Better Man" singer had some time to shine at the popular SXSW festival. He performed with a five-piece band at The Spotify House last Wednesday, according to Billboard.

Bridges responded to potentially feeling pressure as the "breakout act of SXSW"

"...Everything's been a whirlwind, and I have a lot of insecurities. I started playing guitar about four years ago, so I didn't have time to catch up and get good before all this happened," he told Billboard. "I'll do what I can, but you know, all the comparisons to the soul greats, it definitely makes me a little nervous. On the other hand, I'm just excited to be here and kill it and give it 100 percent every time."

Check out one of Bridges' tracks "Coming Home" via his Soundcloud below:

Tags

Leon Bridges