Claudio Koremblit, the "videotape guy" preserving Argentine music history

Claudio Koremblit, often called the "loco del videotape" (the videotape guy), has become a vital archivist for Argentine music, safeguarding over 800 major moments from the nation's musical heritage. His meticulous work involves rescuing audiovisual materials, digitizing them, and making them accessible to the public through his YouTube channel, Armusa (Archivo Musical Sudamericano).

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That was my first archive.

Koremblit's journey into archiving began early. As a teenager, he worked on music programs and later as a producer for "Badía & Compañía." His early career in video editing, particularly with the introduction of videocassette technology in Argentina, provided him with the technical skills and passion for preserving visual content. He recalls his early work being so adept that he was considered a "video juggler" who could solve any technical problem.

His YouTube channel, Armusa, features a diverse collection ranging from simple recordings to documentaries. Koremblit has created dedicated collections for various musicians and genres, including series on Astor Piazzolla and pioneers of jazz. Currently, he is also involved in a series of in-person events at the Centro Cultural Rojas, which will run until October, showcasing new documentaries on influential Argentine musicians.

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The videocassette editor was my first profession. And I moved like a fish in water. The Auricon editors saw what I was doing. And the news people congratulated my old man because I was like a video juggler who solved all the problems.

Koremblit's dedication ensures that iconic performances, such as Luis Alberto Spinetta's 1984 rendition of "Muchacha ojos de papel," are not lost to time. His archive is a testament to decades of passionate work, preserving the rich tapestry of Argentine popular music for future generations.

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I think what stood out about my segments was the music I put in them.