The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

The Vinyl Guide
  • 5,0 (3)
  • Musique : les interviews
  • Toutes les 2 semaines

Nate is a record collector, music lover and vinyl maniac. Join him on his journey to discuss, share and review all things related to vinyl records. We feature stories about and interviews with musicians, artists and people of knowledge in the area of vinyl records. Additionally we share information on desirable pressings of records, how to tell a $5 pressing from a $500 pressing and care and maintenance for your cratedigging hobby. Subscribe and share with your record-nerd friends. Cheers!

  1. -2 j

    Ep559: Rhino Records Co-Founder Richard Foos

    Rhino Records co-founder Richard Foos reveals how a scrappy record shop invented reissue culture, chasing master tapes, getting arrested for selling bootleg records, memories of Frank Zappa, Darby Crash and more. Topics Include: Foos discusses being called originator of reissue culture, credits early employee's phrase. Started as a Los Angeles record shop in 1973. Recalls how scarce and cheap rare records were before collecting culture existed. Describes hunting records at warehouses, swap meets, and Salvation Army stores. Notes punk rock's DIY ethos sparked broader music fandom and collecting. Rhino's shop became a punk hangout; Darby Crash was banned for chaos. Explains how punk bands pressed 45s since albums were too costly. James Brown's out-of-print catalog became Rhino's breakthrough first major reissue. Details licensing process: major labels' passive licensing departments simply approved requests. Rhino insisted on original master tapes, never secondary sources or stampers. Engineer Bill Englott restored recordings purely, never altering original mixes. Some projects stalled without usable masters, like a punk box set. Nuggets compilation missed "96 Tears" for years due to licensing issues. Foos explains Rhino's sequencing philosophy: welcoming newcomers, not strict chronology. Doo-wop box set, initially unpopular internally, became Rhino's best-selling release. Discusses 20-25 year nostalgia cycles driving collectibility of past decades' music. Notes scarce 2000s vinyl pressings now make that era highly collectible. Rhino focused on best listening experience over rarities for rarity's sake. Foos recounts pre-Rhino bootlegging ties and friendship with bootleg artist Bill Stout. Reveals he was arrested for selling bootlegs during a warehouse sale. Discusses how record labels misunderstood fandom, limiting artist output and bootlegs. Reflects on vinyl's spiritual appeal despite many records never being played. Compares cassette-era scarcity to streaming's shifting availability of licensed content. Predicts streaming remains the future, praises YouTube's vast musical accessibility. Doubts catalog values will keep rising, questions which artists endure historically. Criticizes a post-Rhino "L.A. Nuggets" box set for prioritizing rarity over listenability. Recalls Kinky Friedman rejecting a hits compilation over disliking his originals. Explains publishing hurdles licensing music for Freaks and Geeks and WKRP DVDs. Describes working with Frank Zappa on Beat the Boots and elaborate packaging. Shares current work: Shout Factory, wife's Narrative Method, and a new podcast. High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep559: Rhino Records Co-Founder Richard Foos

  2. 3 août

    Ep558: John McCrea of CAKE

    John McCrea of CAKE discusses their elusive catalogue on vinyl, rarities of the band, upcoming Australian tour, new recordings, record nerdery and more. Tickets & info on CAKE's Australian tour is here Topics Include: John McCrae discusses collecting records, revisiting old favorites like Perez Prado He describes "chasing goosebumps" — the feeling of rediscovering great music Shares vivid teenage memory seeing Led Zeppelin at Knebworth, England Recalls dancing to washing machine rinse cycles as a toddler Names early formative records: Beatles, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie His parents played accordion and folk guitar, shaping his musicality Discusses his dad's Eastern European minor-key accordion versus polka music Talks about "Rancho Seco," his first recorded song, a protest track Song addressed a nuclear plant illegally releasing radioactive steam locally Connects Dylan influence and poets to his built-in social justice streak Reflects on growing up near Sacramento, Berkeley, and Nevada City, California Compares old Bay Area culture to today's flashier Silicon Valley wealth Describes Cake's early '90s formation, self-financed four-song EP release EP funded through show earnings and merch, later expanded into album Album got European distribution and unexpected early popularity in France "Rock and Roll Lifestyle" got college radio play before wider fame Cake signed to Capricorn Records, a small Southern rock label East Bay Ray advised McCrea to fight for keeping album masters McCrae says most bands don't retain their masters like Cake did Vinyl of Cake albums historically hard to find, tied up licensing Discusses 2014 box set now reselling for $700–$1,000 secondhand New Cake album is finished, awaiting mixing, targeted early 2027 Explains he avoids forced album themes, focuses song by song Reflects on why Cake albums come infrequently, citing family, industry fatigue Criticizes modern music industry as increasingly exploitative and financially unsustainable Explains reduced touring due to travel dislike and environmental concerns Considers eco-friendly vinyl options and shifting kids' preference toward CDs Discusses Cake's DIY visual identity, homemade posters, and lino-cut aesthetic Talks rare live vinyl pressings, including $300 Crystal Palace release Wraps up promoting Cake's Australian tour dates and Sydney ticket sales High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep558: John McCrea of CAKE

  3. 27 juil.

    Ep557: The Secret Return of Neurosis with Steve Von Till

    Neurosis's Steve Von Till reveals how the band secretly rebuilt itself, creating a career-defining album and making future plans for the Neurosis victory-lap that few thought possible. Topics Include: The Secret recording of An Undying Love for a Burning World Neurosis walked away seven years ago under uncertain circumstances Four remaining members reunited quietly at end of 2024 Aaron Turner brought in to help complete the musical puzzle Reunion tied to Firekeeper Alliance, a suicide-prevention nonprofit Heavy music framed as protective factor for indigenous mental health Steve reflects on tribal rhythms and humanity's forgotten earth connection Band knew instantly the new material had to be Neurosis Reunion forced confrontation with ego, identity, and aging as musicians Firekeeper Alliance's Fire in the Mountains offer pushed them forward Album written and recorded in secret across three studio sessions Secrecy maintained even among close friends touring together in Australia Fan reaction described as unexpectedly emotional, healing, and hope-filled Steve discusses reduced stigma around vulnerability in heavy music today Vinyl pressing strategy explained: budget-driven first run, quick sellout Running Neurot Recordings on a teacher's salary, tight cash flow Multiple color variants pressed across regional distributors and mail orders Debate over black vs. clear vinyl sound quality explored Steve's approach to buying vinyl: music over pressing obsession Talk turns to Melvins, Hazel Meyer, and DIY label camaraderie Where the line sits between fan service and variant exploitation Vinyl side-length considerations shaped decision to make a double LP Aaron Turner's artwork process detailed, sketched live in the studio Album title changed at the last minute, forcing new artwork Neurosis' visual style rooted in myth, symbolism, and Jungian archetypes Older catalog rights partly held by Relapse and other labels Steve wants a "forever version" repress of the band's earliest albums Original master tapes and artwork found corrupted or lost to time Talk closes on solo tour plans and hopes for Australia High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep557: The Secret Return of Neurosis with Steve Von Till

  4. 20 juil.

    Ep556: Shapel Lacey - Punk, Comedy & Rising Above

    Comedian Shapel Lacey discusses the power of music, inspiration and how a 1981 Black Flag video sparked a lifelong punk obsession that shaped his identity, art, and resilience. Shapel Lacey tour dates  |  comedy special  |  Mad Peaceful band Topics Include: Talks local record stores, Amoeba, old Sunset location Discovers deep-cut Swedish hardcore at Eastside Records, Arizona Reflects on pre-streaming era, hunting records in person Notices rosary on Crash's grave, debates his beliefs Traces punk discovery to junior high guitar class Friend introduces him to ska punk, then Black Flag Watches 1981 Target video of Rollins-era Black Flag Rise Above vocals trigger emotional, tearful revelation Explains Black Flag filled a void from turbulent childhood Contrasts Korn/Deftones' anger with punk's empowering message Credits Rollins with teaching self-understanding and personal growth Recalls performing onstage with Rollins at Ohio festival Anger management counselor used Rollins to redirect his aggression Growing up Black, punk, skateboarding in Arizona desert Faced criticism from all sides for musical taste Explored funk, hip-hop, grunge without genre boundaries Connects N.W.A. and Black Flag's shared themes of injustice Discusses punk and hip-hop confronting police brutality parallels Champions open-mindedness across seemingly opposite music scenes Describes local DIY scene at Mesa's Nile basement Panhandled for five dollars to attend all-ages shows Cheerleading came after punk, called "most punk rock" act Discusses tattoos, straight-edge culture, Minor Threat connection Shares personal encounters meeting Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye Praises Rollins and MacKaye's discipline, historical knowledge, friendship Draws parallels between punk and comedy's DIY authenticity Talks band Mad Peaceful, growing sold-out comedy success Discusses Australia tour interest, interview wrap up High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep556: Shapel Lacey - Punk, Comedy & Rising Above

  5. 6 juil.

    Ep555: The Taj Mahal Interview

    Blues legend Taj Mahal shares rare stories about Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and the unreleased Bill Withers song that shaped his stunning new record. Topics Include: Taj Mahal discusses his new album, Time, and its origins Reveals his decades-long friendship and mutual respect with Bill Withers Explains how Bill Withers heard and loved this unreleased demo Bill Withers' wife gave final approval before the song's release Withers walked away from music rather than change his sound Why the industry pushed Withers to sound more commercial Taj shares why vinyl beats digital for capturing real sound Breaks down the "bell curve" problem with digital audio quality Approaches albums as full journeys, not three-minute singles Reveals how effortlessly he sequences songs like a live set Traces his musical roots to a tight-knit 1940s community Recalls learning piano, clarinet, trombone before finding the guitar Explains how guitar evolved from rhythm to lead instrument Names the blues legends who shaped his earliest influences Credits Ray Charles as one of his deepest musical influences Shares rare stories of jamming with Jimi Hendrix live Discusses bootlegs, tape trading, and the ethics of live recordings Compares the Grateful Dead's bootleg policy to other artists Tells the wild story of Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus Recalls dancing Stones and Clapton watching him at the Whisky Explains how British rockers reintroduced blues to American audiences Describes his first-class trip to London and Stones' hospitality Reveals why Labor of Love was released only on vinyl Shares the surprising stat: vinyl never drops below 6% globally Talks new tour dates and hopes to return to Australia Photo by Mike Coeyman High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep555: The Taj Mahal Interview

  6. 29 juin

    Ep554: Everlast - From Rhyme Syndicate to Embers to Ashes

    Everlast traces his journey from Rhyme Syndicate graffiti kid to House of Pain to solo artist, revealing how Jump Around's success gave him the freedom to never chase a hit again. New LP "Embers to Ashes" available here Topics Include: Everlast's new album Embers to Ashes drops August 28th with vinyl available He collects art and guitars, not records — leaves vinyl to the DJs His guitar collection spans vintage Fender Strats, Gretsch Falcons, and Martin acoustics Grew up immersed in graffiti culture, his kids are graffiti artists too His house is essentially a private gallery of graffiti and street art Music was always on — mom loved R&B and doo-wop, dad loved Southern rock His dad had a guitar; Everlast taught himself basic chords by watching TV Hip hop took over at 15, but guitar quietly stayed in his life He plays guitar like a drummer — rhythm-first, not melody-first The breakthrough came post-House of Pain: suddenly he could play and sing simultaneously Whitey Ford Sings the Blues was conceived as hip hop — "What It's Like" changed everything Jump Around's success gave him the financial freedom to never chase it again He and Muggs deliberately made each subsequent record darker and more distant from it Soul Assassins kept management out of sessions — artistic control was non-negotiable His first ever rhyme came from tagging alongside Divine Styler and the Rhyme Syndicate crew Danny Boy introduced him to punk — Bad Brains and the LA hardcore scene His debut solo record split between pure artistic vision and label-pleasing compromises Tommy Boy won his loyalty over bigger-money offers purely on cultural credibility Just Another Victim with Helmet emerged organically on the Judgment Night soundtrack Lethal sampled and slowed Helmet's track, then sandwiched both versions together After eight-plus years away, Yellow Wolf simply asked "why don't you make a record?" COVID, divorce, and losing his house shaped the emotional landscape of the new album Yellow Wolf pushed him to fully sing — his strongest vocal performance on record A near-miss connection to the Bataclan attack was redirected by a last-minute camera detour He's got shows booked and eyes a final solo acoustic tour as his ultimate bookend High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep554: Everlast - From Rhyme Syndicate to Embers to Ashes

  7. 22 juin

    Ep553: The Ghosts That Haunt Peter Hook

    Peter Hook reflects on 50 years of music, the emotional weight of performing Joy Division and New Order live, and the many memories and ghosts of his past. Tickets for Peter Hook & The Light, Australia 2026 Topics Include: New Order toured Australia as early as 1982, helped by Factory Australasia's local support. Hooky calls Australia the only place he never wants to leave — he still suffers leaving every time. Peter Hook and the Light played their seventh-ever gig in Melbourne on their first Australian tour. He is now working through every New Order and Joy Division album ever recorded live. Get Ready features songs never played live as New Order, with Steve Morris largely absent during recording. The band's Grammy came from Orgy's heavy metal cover of Blue Monday — Hook loves the weird covers most. He revealed a plan to stage a full New Order classical concert, eyeing the Sydney Opera House. Ian Curtis performed with absolute conviction every single night — something Bernard Sumner couldn't match early on. Hook recalls first seeing Ian smash up a venue at 2:30am, dancing through broken tables — terrifying and electrifying. That chaotic Stiff/Chiswick talent show led directly to Rob Gretton becoming Joy Division's manager. Ian's lyrics, Hook says, are heartbreaking up close — Love Will Tear Us Apart masks devastating words in euphoric music. Singing Ian's words himself has given Hook a profound new insight into what Curtis was actually expressing. Tony Wilson signed them with a handshake — no contracts — while other labels arrived with thick legal documents. Bernard Sumner found the Unknown Pleasures pulsar image in a textbook; nobody planned the iconic sleeve. Hooky was actually sued for bootlegging the Unknown Pleasures artwork — which Factory themselves had originally stolen. Ian Curtis reportedly wrote a letter complaining about how Closer sounded — a detail Hook only learned years later. During Closer sessions, Curtis was being torn apart: marriage collapsing, new love, epilepsy worsening, the band pushing forward. Hook deeply regrets not seeing Ian before his cremation — but a gravedigger privately told him where Curtis is actually buried. The inquest into Ian's death so disgusted the band they decided on the spot to continue as New Order. Joy Division was deliberately boxed away for 30 years; Bernard called playing those songs "miserable" and refused to continue. Bobby Gillespie suggested the album playback concept so Hook could faithfully recreate Martin Hannett's studio sound live. Watching his son learn Joy Division bass lines at the same age Hook was then felt like staring into the past. Performing these songs, Hook says he is "living surrounded by ghosts" of collaborators now gone. The K-93 sessions saw Killing Joke's Geordie Walker move into Hook's Manchester home for six weeks, causing complete chaos. Those lost K-93 tapes mysteriously surfaced after the label went bankrupt — and Jaz Coleman promptly went silent again. High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep553: The Ghosts That Haunt Peter Hook

  8. 15 juin

    Ep552: The Gospel According to Swamp Dogg

    Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams Jr opens up about his new album "Contemplates the Afterlife," reflecting on death, faith, and a 70-year career that's produced over 2,000 songs. Extended and high resolution podcast at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Topics Include: New album, Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, drops on S-Curve Swamp Dogg shares wild theories on what happens after death He opens up about faith, doubt, and fear of dying Reveals he's written over 2,000 songs across 31 albums His very first record came out way back in 1954 Stories of opening for Sam Cooke and Larry Williams Names the R&B legends who shaped his sound early on Louis Jordan's band once crashed at his childhood home Tells the story of the worst gig of his life A gorilla costume gets stabbed onstage — true story Joining a traveling sideshow for five dollars a night Discusses which Swamp Dogg records collectors hunt hardest today Bob Dylan secretly covered one of his songs years ago Bonds with the host over their shared Australia connection Reveals his wild Beatles-cover novelty record made in Australia Explains how the record business vanished almost overnight Teases new Trinidad soca album and Black Grass II Black Grass II will feature Steve Earle and Margo Price Talks new collaboration album with Eli "Paperboy" Reed Reflects on his Nixon protest era and Jane Fonda ties Looks back on going broke after getting rich fast Recalls producing hit records for Gene Pitney and others Shares fond memories of legendary producer Jerry Wexler The stopwatch story behind his studio recording ritual On Phil Spector's massive ego and Wall of Sound Reveals which British acts covered his songs in the '60s Talks favorite record stores and his 100-record jukebox Hunting down rare 45s worth up to $1,000 The story behind his dance hit "Let's Do the Wobble" Closes with favorite love songs and a wild birthday coincidence Extended and high resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

    Ep552: The Gospel According to Swamp Dogg
Tout afficher (575)

5
sur 5
3 notes

À propos

Nate is a record collector, music lover and vinyl maniac. Join him on his journey to discuss, share and review all things related to vinyl records. We feature stories about and interviews with musicians, artists and people of knowledge in the area of vinyl records. Additionally we share information on desirable pressings of records, how to tell a $5 pressing from a $500 pressing and care and maintenance for your cratedigging hobby. Subscribe and share with your record-nerd friends. Cheers!

Informations

Vous aimeriez peut‑être aussi