I love vinyl
Local record collectors to gather on Saturday to celebrate Record Store Day
Streaming music is all the rage these days, but vinyl collectors continue to hold tight to their prized records.
On Saturday, this niche group of music enthusiasts will celebrate Record Store Day, which was first introduced in Singapore in 2013.
The worldwide event, which began in the US in 2007, is a celebration of independent record stores and the unique culture surrounding it.
Annually, limited copies of exclusive titles and special releases are made available at outlets like local store Vinylicious Records.
Record Store Day is something that One FM 91.3 radio DJ Joshua Simon, looks forward to.
The ardent record collector, 24, is Vinylicious Records' Record Store Day ambassador this year and has been actively promoting the event with fellow jock Jill Lim on their weeknight slot, The One FM Reality Check With Josh and Jill.
His interest in vinyl-collecting started when he was given a Michael Jackson and a Janet Jackson LP as gifts in 2012.
"It brought back so many memories growing up. I started to seek out more record stores to evoke this sense of nostalgia," Simon told M.
His first vinyl purchase was not just one vinyl but two bagfuls of records that cost $500 from Vinylicious Records.
His collection costs over $20,000 and spans genres including pop, rock, jazz and hip hop. It also includes anything from his mother's favourite US duo The Carpenters, 90s British girl group Spice Girls, Japanese composer Kitaro and US pop queen Madonna, obtained both locally and worldwide.
His most unique record is an album that originally came from Pyongyang in North Korea.
"I met a couple in Johor Baru who would go door to door asking people if they have vinyls that they were no longer interested in. They gave this record to me for free. It features a choir singing in unison, it's slightly eerie," he said.
Simon hopes to continue to add to his collection.
"I like to be able to pay for my music because otherwise it is disrespectful to artists. Someday when I have kids, I will let them listen to music on records instead of audio files," he said.
Collector and music producer-DJ Kurt Loy, 35,has more than 2,000 records obtained on his trips around the world, from countries like Japan and Australia.
Some of these records will be displayed at #Vinyloftheday Presents: A Side B Side this Saturday.
Held in conjunction with Record Store Day, it is organised by Vinyl of the Day, an online platform Mr Loy co-founded to celebrate vinyl culture and exchange stories as well as experiences.
The event will see a live performance by local rock act In Each Hand A Cutlass as well as DJ sets by artistes that include Mr Loy and Vinyl of the Day co-founder DJ Darren Dubwise.
It also encourages record-swapping among enthusiasts.
FYI
WHAT: #VINYLOFTHEDAY PRESENTS: A SIDE B SIDE
WHEN: Saturday, 5pm till late
WHERE: Rdio Home, 10A, Ann Siang Hill (above Gem Bar)
TICKETS: Admission is free
Limited-edition records on sale
VINYL COLLECTION: Mr Eugene Ow Yong at his record store, Vinylicious Records. - TNP PHOTO: MOHD ISHAK
For the third year running, local record store Vinylicious Records will be celebrating Record Store Day.
This Saturday from 1pm to 7pm, record collectors can expect to lay their hands on limited-edition vinyl records, including The Black Keys' Thickfreakness red vinyl, Father John Misty's I Loved You, Honeybee single in a heart-shaped vinyl, Deep Purple's Black Night/Speed King and Robert Plant's More Roar.
Vinylicious Records owner Eugene Ow Yong, 43, estimates that there are between five and 20 copies each of about 80 titles that will be made available at his store.
Last year, about 250 attended Record Store Day, some of whom queued for hours before the event started at 1pm.
The records usually sell out within the hour.
Mr Ow Yong, who has personally collected some 1,500 records to date, said: "More and more people are starting to appreciate sound quality and think that music in its digital form might not be as enjoyable.
"Owning a physical copy is still more satisfying."
Vinylicious Records is at 35, Selegie Road, #01-22 Parklane Shopping Mall.
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