Ep511: Nick Aguilar - Record Collector

Ep511: Nick Aguilar - Record Collector

Author: The Vinyl Guide August 5, 2025 Duration: 1:14:24

Nick Aguilar of Frankie and the Witch Fingers and Slaughterhouse is a vinyl maniac! Today we discuss his collection, his obsession, the rarities and a life of music & record collecting.

Topics Include:

  • Nick Aguilar plays drums in multiple bands including Frankie and the Witch Fingers
  • Currently focusing mainly on Frankie due to busy touring schedule ahead
  • Extensive tour dates planned through end of year across US and Europe
  • Considers himself a music fan first, musician second since childhood
  • Dad played tapes during Nick's colic as baby, introducing classic rock
  • Father went to San Pedro High School with future Minutemen members
  • Dad chose commercial fishing over music after graduation in 1976
  • San Pedro's shipping port culture shaped the local music scene
  • Nick has surpassed his dad's music knowledge over the years
  • Started collecting at age 11 when neighbor gave away record collection
  • First records included Rolling Stones "Some Girls" and Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti"
  • Still regrets not taking Buzzcocks "Singles Going Steady" from that collection
  • Casual collecting through school, seriously ramped up after high school graduation
  • Pandemic period 2020-2022 massively accelerated his collecting and cataloging habits
  • Taught himself DJing during lockdown to play records for people
  • Discovered new genres like soul, funk, kraut rock through deep diving
  • Got lucky buying expensive records cheap before current inflated market
  • Focuses on 45s and 12-inches that work well for DJing
  • Extreme organization needed to juggle multiple bands, touring, collecting, DJing
  • Record store strategy: always hit new arrivals section first
  • Holy grail wants include The Litter and James Knight records
  • Uses both Discogs hunting and in-person digging at stores
  • Thrift store finds getting much rarer as market knowledge spreads
  • Appreciates reissue labels like Numero Group for discovering rare music
  • Limited record shopping time while touring due to tight schedules
  • Favorite shops include Breakaway in Austin and Academy in NYC
  • Most expensive purchase: Helen Smith soul record for $2,900 on credit
  • Most sentimental record: The Frighteners, reminds him of deceased friend
  • Keeps multiple copies of key records for DJing versus home listening
  • Band creates multiple vinyl variants through their Greenway Records label

See Frankie and the Witch Fingers and order their vinyl here.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep546: One-Step Audiophile Vinyl w Tom Grover Biery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:35
From funding the first Record Store Day to producing limited one-step pressings of Pet Sounds, Prince, and Dr. Dre, Tom "Grover" Biery is one of the most influential figures in modern vinyl culture - Hear all about his n…
Ep545: Zev Feldman Returns for Record Store Day 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:24
Zev Feldman returns to reveal 11 Record Store Day 2026 releases, including stunning discoveries from the legendary Joe Siegel Jazz Showcase tape archive featuring Ahmad Jamal, Yusef Lateef, Freddie King, and more never-b…
Ep543: Remembering Rozz Williams & Christian Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Rikk Agnew, James McGearty, and David Glass share stories about Rozz Williams & Christian Death, the making of Only Theater of Pain, and completing his final recorded wish with the new song Flowers. Tickets for April 18…
Ep542: Music Documentary Producer Jeanne Elfant Festa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:45
Documentary producer & record collector Jeanne Elfant Festa has made films about The Beatles, Foo Fighters, Pavarotti, Bee Gees and more. Today she discusses her latest movie on Billy Preston — revealing rare archive foo…
Ep541: TV Smith - 50 Years of The Adverts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
TV Smith joins Nate to discuss the 50th anniversary of The Adverts, an Australian tour backed by The Hard-Ons, and a career full of great songs and terrible label luck. Topics Include: TV Smith is touring Australia in Ap…
Ep540: Swami John Reis - Record Collector [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:37
Swami John Reis of Rocket from the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu digs deep on record collecting, the thrill of the hunt, running Swami Records, and why the next release always matters most. Get yer tix to the Punk Rock Museu…
Ep539: Dr Strange Records' Summer Bash Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
Dr. Strange Records' Bill Plaster talks Summer Bash and the chaos of booking a festival, punk history, record collecting, Live Strange, and how punk rock can genuinely change lives. Get Summer Bash tix here | Follow Dr S…
Ep538: John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants Returns! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants talks rare vinyl rarities, the chaotic story behind the new album's cover art, why re-recording old music is almost always a mistake and lots more Order the new album "The World Is…
Ep537: Bongo Fury at 50 – Zappa, Beefheart and the Vaultmeister [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:16
Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers discusses the Bongo Fury box set, the Frank and Beefheart origin story, Frank's cutting edge approach and what may be next from the Zappa Universe. Order the Zappa/Beefheart Bongo Fury 50th…