ABEGINNER’SGUIDETORECORD

culture where media can often feel disposable and easily forgotten Vinyl can help us to appreciate all of the little nuances that go into producing music I myself am guilty of mindlessly scrolling through TikTok or flicking through my Spotify recommendations without a second thought This is not to say that these platforms are without value, as they can be very helpful in providing artists with the freedom to market themselves and reach a wider audience But, vinyl is an excellent way to directly support the artists you enjoy while also deepening your own understanding and appreciation of their music

Starting Out

First of all you'll need a record player This can be daunting, as online vinyl communities can be rife with purists who will insist that you absolutely must fork out upwards of €500 on a full setup While these high end models will yield a better audio quality and last for longer, I don’t think there’s any harm in starting out with a more simple and affordable setup when you’re just figuring out what you like Audio Technica provide very reliable and affordable models with great sound quality

It should be noted that different players require different speakers, so it’s always important to check if yours needs active or passive speakers (active speakers will need their own power source while passive speakers do not) Some speakers will also boast a range of features like aux or USB compatibility, Bluetooth and more

WRITES EMILY DOLLERY | CONTRIBUTOR

Record collecting has significantly grown as a hobby among music lovers Since the mid noughties, vinyl has undergone a revival of sorts This is especially interesting considering the rise of mass media streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer; one would think that the convenience and accessibility these platforms lend us in discovering and appreciating new music would be the very downfall of physical music media

The sustained popularity of vinyl could be attributed to a number of factors many will cite the increased personal connection to a physical copy of an album, or a willingness to support artists given the fact that artists are often vastly undercompensated by streaming platforms Vinyl also possesses a unique sonic quality; there’s definitely something to be said for the feeling when a well–loved record takes on its own unique series of crackles and imperfections when played

I was just turning 17 when I received my first record player for Christmas I became interested in record collecting during my Transition Year work experience, where I spent a week organizing CDs and records (and occasionally repeatedly playing Pixies riffs on the fancy Fender basses) in Steamboat Music in Limerick City

I have fond memories of finishing up band practice at Music Generation and traipsing over to the Golden Discs on Cruises St to spend my babysitting money on records like Either/Or by Elliott Smith, The Velvet Underground and Nico and Bjork’s Debut I would take on recommendations and discover new bands through the other geeks I met at Music Gen For me, owning a physical copy of an album felt like a way of forming a deeper connection with the music I loved While this new hobby wasn’t good for my wallet, it undoubtedly helped to broaden my horizons

In writing this article I hope to spread the idea that record collecting doesn't have to be expensive I think it's a really special way to form more personal connections to music to really stop and think about what you're listening to, especially now in a

It must be said that Cork City is an excellent location when it comes to record shopping. Independent shops like Plug’d on Cornmarket street and Bunker Vinyl on Coal Quay, stock a diverse range of new and second hand records and are incredibly supportive of the local music scene such as albums from great Cork bands like Pretty Happy, The Altered Hours and The Love Buzz The people running these places are highly passionate and always willing to recommend music to shoppers If supporting local talent is important to you, then it’s always a good idea to have a nose around the merch table after any gig, as touring bands will often sell records after their shows You can rest assured knowing that your money is going towards maintaining and supporting our vibrant and diverse music scene

Larger shops like Golden Discs are great for beginners as they tend to stock a mix of the newest releases and classic must-haves (sure, which record collector doesn’t own a copy of Rumors?) They also stock a range of record players and music stations which can make getting into the hobby that bit less daunting

Other secondhand shops, flea markets and charity shops have weird and wonderful well-loved records for a reduced price, with some real gems hidden in the mix Another good place to look is your own attic. After a bit of rooting around in my grandparents’ house, I found a Depeche Mode compilation album, a Batman film soundtrack composed by Prince and a Dream Theater CD that nobody has come forward to claim just yet Part of the appeal of record collecting is the eclectic mix of music you’ll come across that might not always be promoted on streaming platforms

If you’d like to know more, I would always recommend browsing online forums or just popping into your local music shop and asking the staff what they’re into You’ll often be surprised by what you might find