Why do you collect records?
EIGHTY
224 Posts
It might sound like a stupid question but it's a valid one. I know some people on here are DJ's, producers, ect ect. But is there a deeper meaning for you?
Comments
I play records out as well - just records, not CDs or Serato.
So, for me it's not about collecting, but anyone who looks at the rekkids i accumulated over the years will tell me otherwise...
I got an iPod as big as a room you might say.
Yes. I used to rage against the term, but just go with it now.
I feel the same....'collecting' takes the music element out of it for me. I buy music I like/love in the format that sounds and feels best to me; not things that happen to be records the way people do with salt and pepper shakers.
in adolescence anyway, when I could venture
downtown to the independent record shop.
Unbeknownst to me at the time what an
"independent record shop" was - it just felt
cool there. To this day I'll never forget seeing
The Smith's "Louder Than Bombs" in the new
release section. I had been into records before
that, but only purchased them at K-Marts or
Richman Gordmans when I would tag along
with my mom when she went shopping. But
once I hit my teens and discovered the cool
record spots downtown - it was on. 42 now
and travel all over for work and always hit
the record spots in whatever city I happen to
be in. Also, pretty much without fail, I get
turned onto new music being played over
the store sound system.
^^^
This
Vinyl records develop such nice character over time -
a patina if you will. It's as if you break them in... the
ones you play over and over anyway. Like a favorite
garment..
As for why I collect, I guess it's just the joy that comes from exploration. And the sound.
Went into other genres of music after that.
Big cosign on a few points others have made above:
1) It's the best format--the ritual involved, the intimacy, the artwork, the warmth of the sound--remain unmatched
2) There's so much amazing music that still isn't available on any other format
3) The thrill of the hunt, discovering new music (especially when it's by accident or you take a chance on something unknown)
Another big thing for me is the connection to the past that comes with listening to the music the way it was originally consumed. The "time capsule" effect or whatever you wanna call it. A CD or iPod full of stuff from the 60s, while convenient for travel, is just so distant and disconnected from the way people actually listened to it when it came out.
I collect records because I have a genotypic affinity to music. I was born into a musical family wherein my father (RIP) sang and played drums, my mother sings, my brother plays saxophone, drums, and sings, and myself, I play drums, keyboards, produce hip-hop/R&B tracks, DJ, and sing. Dad taught me how to play drums at 5 years of age, after seeing my beat on pots and pans, toys, etc., realizing I had a natural ability and propensity toward playing drums. My father introduced my brother and I to music very early in life (e.g., jazz, soul, and gospel), signing us up in the Columbia Record Club when I was merely 5 years old (and my brother was 8). Initially, pop picked the LPs to buy, with us taking the reigns of collecting when we got older. I own a great many of those original LPs to this very day, with the exception of some my brother sold in the early 90s from his part of the collection. Then, my pops younger brother Phillip introduced us to varying styles of music beyond soul (e.g., rock and reggae), and I progressively ventured more widely into other genres (e.g., punk, electro, psychedelic rock, hip-hop, soul jazz, etc.). So, suffice it to say, music has been an integral part of my life from day one as a performer, listener, and also, an audiophile since dad was a 'sound guy', so to speak. It's crazy, but I owned Bose 301s and BIC Ventura speakers as a pre-teen and teenager, respectively, with top-quality accompanying components to match (i.e., receiver/amplifier, turntables, cassette/CD players). Being an audiophile, vinyl is my preferred music format given its warm sound quality. Plus, I absolutely love cover art and reading linear notes obsessively!!! I can't imagine my life without music, it's the soundtrack of my existence here on earth.
Peace,
Big Stacks from Kakalak
No deeper meaning for me except for the sheer volume of music pressed on vinyl. Where else can you find obscure soul, funk, disco, jazz, rock, pop and reggae that was put out by local artists on fly-by-night labels before the advent of CDs?
I initially bought music on tapes and CDs in the 80s-90s, but discovered in 2000 that vinyl was a cheaper option compared to CD reissues/compilations. I made the switch and haven't looked back since, although I still search out cassettes (rap, soul, comps.) at thrift shops.
Over the years, I much like others have amassed a collection. Even though I don't buy as many records as I used to, it's kinda nice having a small library at your disposal when you feel like listening to something crackling out the speakers. Cover artwork is bigger, and usually has an oldness that adds character to it. Also, records have monetary value, which is probably another reason why it adds to the thrill of finding a "crazy record for cheap". You're less likely to find that with CDs.
and then turning up the reverb to make it sound "electronically rechanneled for stereo."
I don't do this all the time, but every now and then I get the urge to hook up the turntable to my Fender tweed amp. Just spinnin' one monophonic 45 after another.
Partially inspired by this photo of David Johansen at home with his then-lover, Cyrinda Foxe:
(another deleted post - accidental repeat)
To me they are one and the same.