Oral History — Design 1
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What's inside:
Oral History Project
The Wasteland Oral History Project preserves the voices and memories of those who lived, shaped, and defined the Rio Grande Valley underground music scene from 1998-2008. Through interviews, audio recordings, video documentation, and personal archives, these firsthand accounts document the evolution of genres, the rise and fall of venues, the politics that shaped the movement, and the DIY foundations that continue to influence the Valley's music scene today.
The Oral Histories
Each story below was designed by Laura in Canva so she could combine text, images, and audio into a single multimodal piece. Click inside a design to flip through pages, or open it in a new tab for a fuller view.
Contributing Your Story
Were you part of the RGV underground scene between 1998-2008? We want to hear from you. Your memories, photos, flyers, and recordings help preserve this vital chapter of Valley history. Contact us to share your story and become part of this living archive.
How this works
You don't need to be a musician, a "somebody," or have anything polished. If you were there — as a fan, a show-goer, a bartender, a sound person, a photographer, a zinester, a friend — your memory matters.
- What we accept: audio interviews, voice memos, written memories, scans of flyers and photos, setlists, letters, emails, zines, show tapes.
- How sessions run:
- How excerpts are used:
- Can you review before publishing?
- Names and pseudonyms:
Ready? Use the contact form or email us directly — details on the contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a good microphone or recording setup?
No. A voice memo on your phone works fine. We can also come to you with our own recording gear, or meet over Zoom.
What if I only remember pieces, not a full story?
Fragments are exactly what oral history is made of. A flyer you kept. A name you remember. A single night that stuck with you. Send whatever you have.
I have photos / flyers / setlists but no story to tell. Do you still want them?
Yes. Ephemera alone is invaluable — scan or photograph it, email it over, and we'll add it to the archive. Crooked scans, paper-texture edges, and imperfect quality are encouraged.
Will you publish things without my permission?
No. Anything that names you is reviewed with you before it's published.
Can I contribute anonymously?
Yes. Pseudonyms, first-name-only, or "anonymous" are all fine.
I wasn't in a band. Does my memory count?
Absolutely. Some of the most important pieces of a scene's memory live with door people, bartenders, sound folks, photographers, show-goers, and friends-of-bands. If you were there, you matter.