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PAUL JOB
@jobe_76
Paul used to DJ in the ‘90s, House music in particular, which is where his love of vinyl really took off and that love has stayed with him since. He also enjoyed the club scene of the ‘90s with visits to the famous “Hacienda” in Manchester.
His collection of records stands at around 600 LP’s. These mainly sit within the Indie music scene. His collection, judging by his Instagram photos, looks extremely well cared for. Paul was an interesting character to chat to and one I’d hope to try arrange meeting up with and going record shopping with in the future.
When did you start buying vinyl?
I probably started buying when I was a kid in around 1984 and I will have been buying only vinyl up until the late ‘80s or early ‘90s and then went to buying CD’s like the majority of music lovers. I then went back to the vinyl format in the late ‘90s when I began to DJ House music. I still bought a few CD’s but that’s when I bought vinyl and never stopped buying since.
So, when you went back to vinyl, you were ahead of the vinyl revival by a few years?
Yeah I was I suppose. Starting to buy vinyl again in the ‘90s was a smart move looking back now. Records were cheaper to buy of course and some of the rarer ‘90s and ‘00s records that collectors look for now were more readily available for a fair price or even for face value price.
Something I’ve talked about with other collectors is having an original pressing versus a repress of a certain record. Do you have a preference?
To be honest, I’m not that bothered about having an original pressing and for me it’s not about the value of a record it’s about the sound quality of the album. I’ve come across a number of reissues that sound better than the originals. I do appreciate the nostalgic feel of having a record that’s however many years old with it being an original but I prefer to hear a great sounding record than one that has the pops and crackles but would be worth more money.
Lets talk about where you buy from then. What independent record shops do you use?
I buy from a lot of shops, mainly in the North West area of the UK where I live. One I’ve been buying a lot from is called Strand Records (@strandrecordsstoke) in Stoke on Trent which is a great little record shop and I’ve been trying to support them as much I can during the period of lockdown. It’s only a small shop and but really great and has a great selection of stuff. That’s where I usually head to on Record Store Day also. I shop in Manchester and Liverpool mainly though in shops like Piccadilly Records (@piccadillyrecords) or Probe Records.
How about the new music scene? Are there any bands that have stood out for you?
There’s a band called Lucid Dream who I saw support Wooden Shijps and they blew me away live. So much so that I went to see them again a little while later in Liverpool. They are definitely a band to keep an eye out for. Another band I really like is Deja Vega and they have had a record out in 2019 which is excellent. It came out on a nice blue coloured vinyl which looks brilliant and the sleeve design and photos of the band was done by Brian Cannon who worked with Oasis back in the day. Other new bands I’ve been listening are Viagra Boys, Sleaford Mods but I suppose they aren’t that new anymore
What about favourite bands then?
The Coral instantly come to mind and I’ve followed them since day one really. They are a fantastic band both live and on record. I prefer they earlier records to their later stuff but they are definitely one of my favourite ever bands. I also really like Doves as well and I’m so glad that they are back making new music and touring again. Doves are a band that get overlooked a little for me but they are a genius band. I also love The Charlatans and have nearly all of their albums on vinyl.
What made you start collecting vinyl?
It’s having the physical object for me I think and that’s the collector in me. I’ve always collected something throughout the years and vinyl is the thing that has stayed with me. I love the artwork for a record, particularly as it’s on a bigger format. The sound of a record is a key thing as well and if you have a good enough set up you will achieve that greater sound. I remember certain albums or songs that I’ve played through on CD and then bought the album on vinyl and hear the music completely different. Another thing that grabs the collector aspect in me is artists releasing limited edition releases or different variants of a release. I don’t stream music that much if I’m honest and when I do it is for when I’m driving usually.
What’s on your want list? Anything specific you are yet to track down?
I wouldn’t say my want list is massive really. There are a few bits I’m still looking for that I really want in my collection. I’m looking to track down a copy of “Crazy On The Weekend” by Sunhouse which was the band that Gavin Clarke was in before he collaborated with U.N.K.L.E and a few other artists. Sadly, he has passed away and just after he died, the film director Shane Meadows put together a compilation of all Gavin Clarke's work called “Beautiful Skeleton” which only had a run of five hundred pressings and I’ve been wanting that for a long time but naturally that’s so hard to track down. I’d say that is my number one want on my list.
Tell me about your listening space in your house?
Well it started out with the record room being at the front of our house and then my wife started working from home so they had to be moved to a smaller space and then the collection grew and started to spill out of that room so much that it began to annoy her and she suggested that they get put in our living room. Then we had an extension built and thats where I listen to my records now and It’s a great space that opens onto the garden so perfect for the summer.
Final question is what will happen to your collection when you pass on?
Well I’ve told my wife to either sell it or give it to someone who could enjoy it. I just hope it doesn’t get binned!
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