I remember as a kid one of my earliest childhood memories was my dad teaching me how to turn over records and set the arm to his turntable that we had in our family living room. We used to live off the Tippecanoe River, and my dad liked to sit out on the patio in the summertime and relax and listen to his records. He had a set of speakers he mounted to the siding of our house and when the record stopped he’d call into the house by my full name, “Christopher!” So I had to get up and change the record over. My dad especially loved the first Dire Straits album, Pink Floyd’s “Meddle,” and Yes’ “Fragile.” Those are some of my earliest memories I have with vinyl records.
There is just something about vinyl that makes it so cool. I would have to say that for me, it’s the primal nature of it. When you take the record out of the sleeve, place it down on the turntable and put the needle down on the record it feels like something coming alive. The music and sounds seem to come out at you from the speakers. This is something that in the time of digital downloads we have lost a little bit of. You don’t really feel the intimacy of listening to a record anymore and also having it in your hands and looking at the artwork and reading the record notes.
From about the time I turned 14, my musical interests took on a life of their own. By that time I was playing guitar and was enthralled by the music of Van Halen. I remember one of the first vinyl records I ever purchased was Van Halen’s “Diver Down” at a second hand store for a $1.50. It was by no means a classic record of theirs, but it kick-started my obsession with collecting my favorite bands records. I was obsessed with getting my favorite band’s records but only if they were the original ones and not the reissues.
Some of the original copies on vinyl that I am glad to own are The Beatles Sgt. Peppers, AC/DC Back in Black. Every original copy of Led Zeppelin’s albums, and Metallica’s first record, “Kill ‘Em All,” originally released on John Zazula’s independent Megaforce Records label. This is just a small selection of great vinyl I own, and whenever I can get the chance I still am look for vinyl that catches my eye. For those of you who haven’t gone to a Record Store Day, you owe it to yourselves to check it out. Maybe you’ll find something that turns you on to a style of music or a way of listening to it that you never had before.
The "invisible orientation": Ace identity, culture and misconceptions
By Jackie Bozinovski | April 10International Asexuality Day took place April 6, and for all asexuals (aces), it’s a day to celebrate ourselves, our experience and the community as a whole. As an asexual myself, I’ve read a plethora of asexual content that gave answers to all my questions and a voice to affirm that my identity is valid and my experience matters. As such, I’ve decided to clear up three common misconceptions about the asexual community and shed some light on the invisible orientation.
Hinge released their dating report, here’s what IUPUI students think
By Milo Anderson | March 29From fears of meeting new people to a pandemic to getting into the landscape of online dating, there are plenty of reasons to feel awkward about dating as a young adult. Gen Z has been forced into the middle of one of the most turbulent times to meet new people, and for some, it can be too much.
Herron School of Art and Design annual wearable art show to take place March 28
By Hanne Brandgard | March 27Since 2004, Herron School of Art and Design has put on the Wearable Art Show. This event gives interested students a chance to test their creativity and transform their art from a stationary work to a piece of clothing. This year’s 20th anniversary show will take place on March 28 at the EFAC building.
