A New Orleans record shop built from a youth DJ program, a deep love of vinyl, and pure serendipity? Ben from NOLA Mix Records shares how a community space became one of the city’s most respected places to dig, learn, and discover music. If you love records, local culture, or the magic of finding the perfect album in the wild, this one is for you. What starts as a chance opportunity turns into nearly 11 years of running a shop that does far more than sell vinyl. Ben breaks down how NOLA Mix blends retail with free youth workshops, paid DJ lessons, beat battles, and live in-store performances - creating a real music hub for New Orleans, not just a store. He also shares how teaching kids to DJ with vinyl shaped the way he thinks about community, memory, and the tactile experience of music. You’ll discover: Why Ben left school and community-center teaching to build the shop full time How a record store became a space for youth education and adult DJ training Why New Orleans pressings and local records are a major draw for collectors Which genres are surging with younger listeners, from Fleetwood Mac to Olivia Rodrigo to classic Beatles and Stones records The local artists and scenes Ben says deserve more attention, including Alfred Banks and Lisbon Girls We also get into what makes vinyl feel different from streaming - the hunt, the conversation, the artwork, and the memory attached to every record you bring home. Ben explains why digging in a shop is still one of the best ways to discover music, stumble into something unexpected, and leave with an album that instantly becomes part of your life story. Plus, Ben shares rapid-fire picks for favorite record stores, underrated jazz, one record he’ll never sell, the best Sunday morning album, and the definitive New Orleans records every listener should own. His answers alone are worth the play. Perfect for vinyl collectors, New Orleans music fans, DJs, crate diggers, and anyone who believes great records are about more than sound. Ben is the owner of NOLA Mix Records in New Orleans and the founder of Super Jock Records, known for combining record retail with youth music education, DJ culture, and deep local curation.
Join the Vinyl Society Curation Community for exclusive album recommendations, curated listening experiences, members-only content, and a growing community of passionate vinyl collectors.
📀 Download the FREE Vinyl Pairing Guide and discover hand-picked albums organized by mood, genre, and listening experience—your next favorite record is waiting.
Buy Records at Nola Mix Records