Pistolero Guitars: Mark del Castillo Takes His Mastery of Spanish Guitar to the Big Screen

Mark Del Castillo

Born in Brownsville, Texas, Mark del Castillo began his artistic journey at the age of fourteen, eventually studying music theory and guitar at the University of Texas at Brownsville. In the early ‘90s, he performed with the cover band Kickstart before co-founding the rock combo Vivid at Texas A&M. After their move to Austin in 1996, they not only became a staple on the famed 6th Street circuit but also toured Europe.

Soon after, Mark joined the rock band Milhouse, where he met future collaborator Mike Zeoli. He penned and performed “Para Mija Linda,” an instrumental flamenco-tinged piece dedicated to his future wife. This composition sparked a creative partnership with Alex Ruiz and ultimately led Mark to team up with his brother Rick to form Del Castillo.

Formed around 2001, Del Castillo, a powerhouse ensemble with Mark and Rick on guitars, Alex Ruiz on vocals, and others, rapidly carved its niche with Latin-rock energy and virtuosic instrumentation. Their debut, Brothers of the Castle (2001), was followed by Vida (2002) and Brotherhood (2006), the latter featuring Willie Nelson and earning major Texas music awards.

Mark’s playing, described as “tumbling brilliance on nylon-string guitars… eruptions of technique and taste,” drew comparisons to Eddie Van Halen fronting early Santana, and even the Gipsy Kings. The brothers also shared the stage with icons like Willie Nelson, who re-recorded “I Never Cared for You” with them and called it his favorite version, and performed at festivals including Montreux Jazz Festival, SXSW, and Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival.

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Watch our exclusive interview with Mark Del Castillo

In 2002, director Robert Rodriguez attended a Del Castillo show in Austin and was at once taken by their flamenco-tinged Latin rock sound. This connection led to a long-standing creative partnership. Del Castillo’s music began appearing in Rodriguez’s films, Dias de Los Angeles featured in Once Upon a Time in Mexico, which Rodriguez also said was inspired by Del Castillo’s song “Spanish Castle Tango.”

Rodriguez then invited the band to contribute to soundtracks, including Spy Kids 3D, Sin City, Grindhouse, and Machete.

Out of this collaboration sprang Chingón—a cinematic Latin-rock outfit fronted by Rodriguez, along with Mark, Rick, and their Del Castillo bandmates. Chingón’s electrifying rendition of “Malagueña Salerosa” was featured in Kill Bill Vol. 2, with Quentin Tarantino even aligning the film’s ending to the song.

Del Castillo’s music has found its way into a host of Rodriguez-influenced projects, including Alita: Battle Angel, where Mark co-wrote and performed “Throwing Chingasos” and “El Rey De La Calle” with Chingón. Moreover, as part of Del Castillo and Chingón, Mark has contributed to We Can Be Heroes (Netflix), Spy Kids: Armageddon, and The Book of Boba Fett (Disney+).

Mark’s solo instrumental album Pistolero Guitars is a journey through emotionally rich, Spanish guitar landscapes—ranging from longing and melancholy to rhythmic dance and desert solitude. Composed with cinematic sync licensing in mind, the album is primed for film, TV, and immersive listening—highlighting his melodic sensibilities and dramatic flair. Released by Ocho Music Group, the album is now available for licensing through APM Music.

Here are some of our favorite tracks: 

• El Desierto Me Llama - A leisurely bolero played on Spanish guitar perfect for Latin scenes of love, recreation, and wonder. Moonlight strolls in the desert or down cobblestone streets in Europe, the Caribbean, Central or South America. 

• Español Solitario - A longing lonely Spanish guitar pining for love and what was lost. A violin full of despair accompanies the anguished musicians. 

• Martillo Del Castillo - A Latin peppy martillo rhythm played on Spanish guitar with a lively melody perfect for scenes in Europe, the Caribbean, Central & South America or ethnic surroundings of love and Hispanic heritage.