Preserve memory through vinyl

Depósito: “El Nopalito” in McAllen hosted its bi-annual “Record Fest” March 28, where record vendors from across the Rio Grande Valley came together to celebrate physical media and music.

El Nopalito, a wine shop and bar, has hosted the festival since 2023, and offers a variety of vendors from records to thrift clothing.

The event is presented by “Libérate Ediciones,” the musical archival branch of El Nopalito. They archive local music from old record labels based in the RGV to preserve them and keep their legacy going.

Genesis Moreno, founder of El Nopalito and cultural programmer of Libérate Ediciones, said record culture is important to them as it is their way of preserving memory.

“We believe that we’re one generation away from losing our cultural identity,” Moreno said. “[Record Fest] is our way of being able to bring that back into the present, to inspire future producers, future artists and people that are in the world of making music.”

UTRGV students were in attendance sharing their passion for records and clothing while enjoying the live DJ set from “Viaje!” a DJ collective from San Antonio.

Santiago Castro, a UTRGV electrical engineering senior, said he thinks music is a gateway to the soul.

“I can tell how people act and how they are in the world based on what they listen to,” Castro said.

The festival hosted vendors such as Mingo’s Music & More, Echo Records and Shep’s collection. 

Mingo Benavides, owner of Mingo’s Music & More, said vinyl is his favorite form of media because of how special the experience of listening to a record is.

“You open up the gate fold, you look at the pictures, you dust off the record, it’s kind of, like, hands on and I love that,” Benavides said. “It’s very nostalgic to me.”

He said he participates in pop-up events to be part of the local music community and for his love for local music. 

His shop carries music from many local bands, which he thinks is important to showcase because “it’s just as good, if not better.”

“We’ve probably seen over a 1000 local bands, you know, up across the Valley from Brownsville to Penitas.”

Another vendor who is a common name at record fest is Shep’s Collection, who curates music from all different cultures, spanning from hip-hop to mariachi. 

Kayla Tanguma, Shep’s Collection co-owner, said she appreciates music since it creates an instant connection to strangers.

Tanguma recalled a story where she went to a Paul McCartney concert and at the end of the show during “Hey Jude,” everyone began to sing .

“This is why I love meeting other people that are into music,” Tanguma said. 

She added the shared experience of seeing a member of The Beatles is something she thinks about often due to the unison of the crowd that night.

Eric Martinez, owner of Echo Records RGV, shared the sentiment of community within the music community.

Martinez said he never would have thought of the RGV to have a strong thriving and growing music presence.