By Tim Clark
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to discuss the resurgence of vinyl records with Michael Kurtz, co-founder of Record Store Day. We covered a lot of different topics about vinyl and the music industry, but there was one statement Kurtz said that stuck with me like dust to a turntable…
“There’s nothing convenient about going to Record Store Day. It’s like going to a rock festival. Stand in line, hang out with other music fans and hear music all day.”
There’s no doubt that this “inconvenience” – whether for nostalgia or sound quality – is drawing a rising number of hard rock and metal music fans back into the world of vinyl record collecting. Vinyl isn’t cheap or portable, and doesn’t provide instant gratification the way that digital downloading or streaming does. Yet, vinyl factories can’t keep up with demand. Why?
In a new monthly column on Hard Rock Daddy called “The Analog Kid,” I’ll explore why…and so much more! If you want interviews, reviews and opinions on all things vinyl, this monthly column is for you.
But let me clear, this is not a column for elitist vinyl snobs. Case in point: as I write this, I am jamming Magic Circle’s “Journey Blind” on (gasp!) iTunes. The horror!
Not really…
Like many vinyl collectors, I still listen to digital music and collect CDs. Thanks to sites like Bandcamp, and other indie music labels, fans can pick up a physical copy of an album or song packaged with a digital and/or streaming version. Buying through these sites also means that a much larger percentage of money makes it back into the artists’ pockets. Everyone wins.
Clearly, vinyl isn’t going anywhere, and it can happily co-exist in today’s world of digital downloading. If you’re on the fence about jumping back into the vinyl scene, don’t let its “inconveniences” – or the moustache-wearing hipsters or self-proclaimed “audiophiles” – scare you away. Vinyl is an all-inclusive medium. You can find vinyl records everywhere, and get up-and-running with a reasonably priced system that captures the warm, analog vibes and tonal nuances that compressed digital files simply cannot replicate.
As we move forward with this monthly column, we will discuss the vinyl renaissance in greater depth, where to find quality, affordable hardware, and of course, focus on the hard rock and metal vinyl releases that should be on your radar.
In the meantime, feel free to contact me at timclarkbar@gmail.com for any vinyl questions that you may have, or to make suggestions for future articles.
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