610 Record Manufacturing

Interview takes place on March 2, 2025 at 610 Record Manufacturing in Houston, TX

“Houston’s always been a huge center for music,” says Joel Hoyle, founder of 610 Record Manufacturing. “One of the, if not the first rock n’ roll record ever recorded was here, and a lot of people don’t know that.”

Hoyle grew up deep in the music scene, printing concert flyers at Kinko’s, playing gigs at Fitzgerald’s, and seeing legends like Nirvana at The Vatican. “Music is the language that I’ve always understood,” he says. 

Like many creatives, however, it took Hoyle more than a few years at an office job to realize how much he needed to come back to his musical roots. 

“I was trying to not work in Corporate America anymore,” he says. “I wanted to do something where I could be in the music industry and help everybody else in the music industry because I’ve always been upset with Houston’s lack of musical infrastructure.”

Determined to fill a need that he saw within the Houston music scene, Hoyle decided to open a record pressing plant with the support of his wife. “My wife was the smart one,” he says. “She said, ‘Look, if you’re gonna open a business, it needs to be something you love.’”

“You know, my wife–I already worship her as it is, but that’s one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten in my life. Because it’s crazy, it’s stressful. If I was this stressed out about a business that I didn’t truly love, I would've left already,” he laughs.

In the early days of kick-starting his business, Hoyle remembers spending eight hours a day just learning how to make records: “calling different plants, emailing different people, buying old books–from the ‘40s and ‘50s and ‘60s–and old magazine articles.” 

Before he knew it, though, he had fallen in love with even the most nitty-gritty parts of the process. “I had to learn all about piping,” he says, “but something just switched in me, and I dig it.” He jokes that by the time construction was finished on his plant, he had “accidentally” become an engineer: proof that it’s never too late to discover a new passion in life.

In June 2024, 610 Record Manufacturing officially opened its doors, and Hoyle has since worked on nearly 20 projects and 5000 records. His passion for records and commitment to supporting the local music scene seem to reflect in every aspect of his business.

“I’ve actually had people pretty recently be like, ‘Man, I really enjoyed your guys’ process!’ Just the fact that someone was always there, they could always get a hold of someone, and that we explained everything all the way through.”

Hoyle wants to make sure artists feel supported every step of the way because, hey, getting records made is weird. “It’s a lengthy process, there’s a lot to it, and people get shy, they don’t necessarily want to ask questions. So I’m always like, well, ask me a question!”

As a musician himself, Hoyle also wants to honor the music, since he knows how much work goes into making an album before it ever reaches him. “I want to make the best records we possibly can,” he says, “and I want [musicians] to be proud of the records they're selling to people.” 

Thankfully, the feedback he’s received has been nothing but positive. “The response has been really, really neat,” he says. “The joy on people’s faces when they come here and pick up their records or listen to their test pressings, and you see their eyes and faces light up… It’s super cool to be a part of that.”

Seeing how much Hoyle values his work and finds fulfillment helping others, it’s no surprise that others have begun to return the favor. “Everybody who has worked with us has been super supportive and has helped spread the word without me even asking them to,” he says, “and I will always appreciate that.”

In the future, Hoyle hopes to continue supporting the local music scene in as many ways as he can, beyond just record pressing. “I always take pictures and videos [of artists] to give to them to help promote everything,” he says, “but we’ve even talked about having a couple record release parties here–just anything to help out.”

At the end of the day, it all comes back to his love for Houston music. “I wouldn't even think about opening this anywhere else,” he says. “Even if I had the chance.”

For more information about 610 Record Manufacturing, visit their website at https://610recordmfg.com/ and follow them on Instagram @610recordmfg.

Photos and Story by Shelby Mathews