Hernandez-Brownsville Music Festival coming Saturday

Eric Hernandez and his brothers, Ren and Aaron, always toyed with the idea of starting their own music festival. Three years ago, they dove right into it and the Hernandez-Brownsville Music Festival was born.

It is a rock-n-roll show where the genres of rock do not matter.

“At the end of the day, it’s still rock music. It may be different sectors of rock music, but we all have a very like-minded punk rock mentality,” Hernandez said.

The Hernandez-Brownsville Music Festival will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kraken Lounge, 1123 E. Adams Suite C.

The line-up includes Los Skarnales from Houston, PIÑATA Protest from San Antonio, Panteon from Brownsville, The Sweethearts from Austin/Brownsville, and Cosmogirl from Austin/Brownsville. A total of 11 bands are on the list.

Since its inception, the music festival has seen considerable growth. The first year involved a lot of trial and error, but in year two, the Hernandez brothers came up with some new different ideas.

“We brought in vendors. We wanted to make it feel like a real festival and we really want to give the audience the full experience,” Hernandez said. “This year, there is a different level of stage production, vendors and organization. We have a big vision, and we’re trying to bring it to life.”

It is intended to be a family-oriented event, Aaron said.

One of the things the Hernandez brothers wanted when they created this event was a night event that was accessible for people of all ages. This was important, Aaron said.

“I guess it’s because our last name is in there and it’s about the three of us brothers bringing it together. Music. Family. Friends. We kind of think the same way, all three of us,” Aaron said. “It’s always been good vibes between us.”

Aaron was open to the possibility of extending the music beyond rock in the future.

“Maybe in the future, maybe next year, we can do Spanish acts? It could happen. It’s music. It doesn’t matter what the genre is, all types are welcome,” Aaron said. “With Tejano, that’s where our roots are. We don’t want to let that down. We all grew up with that type of music because that’s what our dad brought us up on.”

Ren hopes that by having more music events like this, it will be easier for bands to find gigs in the Rio Grande Valley.

“When I go down there (from Austin), I always have a great time. But a lot of times, it can be hard to get shows. I know what bands go through down (in the Valley),” Ren said.

Pre-sale tickets are $10. They are on sale at the Kraken Lounge. The Hernandez brothers can also be reached via their Facebook page, “The Hernandez-Brownsville Music Festival “BMF”.”

“My goal – and I feel like a lot of musicians play out of town – is to have really good musicians down in the Valley. A lot of our locals can stay down here and enjoy a good show,” Alvarado said. “We want to build something the community can be a part of, that can be fun for everybody.”