Saturday April 23, 2022 is Record Store Day, a bi-annual event aimed to celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store. So many folks in the Tequila industry have either worked in the music industry in the past whether tangentially or directly, or have music as a central piece of their life, that it got me thinking, there must be a treasure trove of great albums that these Tequila OG's are listening to while sipping Tequila.
Via IG, WhatsApp, carrier pigeon, etc I reached out to my favorite Tequila people and asked the question - What is the best album to listen to while drinking Tequila? Read on below for their answers.
Chava Rosales
Maestro Tequilero - Tequila Cascahuin
The album pick: Darondo - "Let My People Go"
"Simplemente por que me gusta el soul y como cantaba Darondo. El disco de Let my people go; se me hace genial para tomar tequila solo o acompañado de amigos con una buena charla y su música de fondo."
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Chad and Cristina Allen
Founders/Owners - Volans
The album pick: Mariachi Rock-o - "Sonidos de Jalisco (Vol 1 & 2)"
"Cristina and I both worked in the music industry, and we share a deep love of music. We have an eclectic taste in music, so many albums come to mind. We are massive fans of rock & metal music, but when we Sip Tequila, we set the mood with mariachi and boleros. So if you combine those two, one album comes to mind called Sonidos de Jalisco (vol. 1 & 2), by an artist named 'Mariachi Rock-o.' He makes mariachi-style music of popular rock music. The musicians are excellent, the arrangements are interesting, the songs are fantastic, and it's a lot of fun to listen to while we Sip Tequila with friends. It reminds me of a rainy day in the mountains of Jalisco."
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Gail Conde + team
Market Management - Codigo 1530 Tequila
The album pick: Anything Tom Misch, Eric Clapton "Slowhand", George Strait "Codigo"
"If it’s not the obvious choice of George Strait’s “Codigo” (he likes it so much he wrote a song about it)- We also like to listen to Tom Misch who is effortlessly cool and smooth just like our tequila! (Or) Eric Clapton, anything from the Slowhand album… "Wonderful Tonight", because everything is wonderful when sipping Codigo!"
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Jon Bullinger
Founder/CEO - Yeyo Tequila
The album pick: Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Californication", War "Low Rider"
"Red Hot Chili Peppers – 'Californication' It’s a classic album for a classic tequila. A great mix of instruments and vocals. Another great song would be 'War - Low Rider' this sound will never get old and is perfect for sipping tequila with friends."
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Taylor Steele
Founder - Solento Organic Tequila
The album pick: khruangbin - "The Universe Smiles Upon You"
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Kirk Crenshaw
Founder / Chief Digital Officer - Compoveda Tequila
The album pick: David Bowie - "Hunky Dory"
"David Bowie and the album Hunky Dory - and it has be on vinyl. I love it because of its array of musical styles, and it feels like it is the album where Bowie…becomes Bowie."
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Richard Betts
Founder & CEO - Tequila Komos
The album pick: The Avalanches - "We Will Always Love You"
"The Avalanches "We Will Always Love You" is for sure the one for me. It's only their third album in 20 years, it's truly something special, and you cannot help but be enchanted listening to it."
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René Carranza
Maestro Tequilero - Tequila Atanasio
The album pick: NATURE
"(...) es un poco complicado para mi porque regularmente me gustan los lugares tranquilos… entonces la música de naturaleza!!"
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Joe Pat Clayton
National Sales Director - Penta Tequila
The album pick: McKinley James - "Still Standing By"
"When I pour a glass of Penta Reposado, I love to drop the needle on the incredible McKinley James’ new EP, “Still Standing By” produced by his friend Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. He’s an up and coming early 60’s style soul/blues teen sensation playing guitar with a smooth brilliance. This young man McKinley James is a badass and his music is crazy good. Highly recommended if you’re looking for something fresh for your turntable."
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Robert Flatt
President, Mexico Operations - El Tequileño
The album pick: Big Head Todd and the Monsters - "Sister Sweetly"
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Carolyn Kissick
Director of Product and Content - Sip Tequila
The album pick: Nigeria 70 Lagos Jump - Original Heavyweight Afrobeat Highlife & Afro-Funk, Kenya Special - Selected East African recordings from the 1970s and '80s
And finally, my own picks! Both of these albums are selections of Afro Funk from the 70's and 80's and are a guaranteed good time to put on in the background while you're enjoying a post swim/surf beachside Tequila with friends!
Big thanks to everyone who weighed in - love seeing the diversity and creativity within our blossoming industry. Salud
CK
