Vinyl records were always part of the Bynx plan. Three and a half years later, it’s still a huge part of our business and the passion has not died — if anything, our love of vinyl has grown. And we see that passion reflected by our customers, who we happily watch thumb through the modest but intentionally-curated collection in our shop. Nevertheless, people still ask us, “why vinyl?” It is 2024 after all. Streaming dominates the record industry. But, as we’ll discuss in this post, vinyl still has that magical appeal for people who want to get closer to their favorite music and artists.
What We Are Seeing
Let’s get this misconception out of the way first — vinyl lovers are not just hipsters in beanies, collecting records to affect a sense of “cool.” Sure, like anything, those people exist. But it’s deeper than that. Vinyl collectors come in all shapes and sizes, with all sorts of musical interests. Have you ever stood in a record shop and looked around, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of records? Just think about how many genres, artists, moods and stories exist inside those 12″ pieces of pressed wax. Yeah, we know, it’s mind blowing.
As for the customers, there are some people have never given up on their favorite passion of collecting records. They’ve been collecting since vinyl’s hay-day, when artists made albums with the intention that they would be listened to front-to-back. I mean, that is why they call them LPs (long-playing records). The’ve been growing their collection for time immemorial. Then there is the newer generation of vinyl lovers, who are intrigued by the seeming antiquity and charm that records provide — or are simply interested in supporting their favorite artists in a way that is tangible. Others, who have traditionally consumed music through Apple, Spotify or another streaming service, are simply curious or casual consumers — wanting to showcase the artwork, or have a couple records at the ready as a conversation starter.
The Thrill Of The Hunt
Ultimately, a lot of vinyl collectors simply enjoy the process of searching for a record. While some customers come in with a clear plan of what they are looking for, many love sifting through the various genres and discovering new titles or gems that they simply had forgotten or didn’t know about. I was in a record shop in Toronto a few years ago, and I heard a customer checking out telling the store employee that he took the subway, a street car and finally a bus to get to the shop as he found it had a copy of a record he had been seeking for a long time. To say he was excited is an understatement.
Being able to see, touch, hold and smell a vinyl record plays into the resurgence we are witnessing. With vinyl, it’s a process. You open the sleeve, handle the vinyl with care, read the liner notes and, after the listening experience, carefully pack the record away and choose another one from your collection. And the appeal of album artwork can’t be denied. Similar to a poster or a handbill for a concert, many records represent a committed effort to make the entire experience appealing and for many, and collectible experience. The album cover represents an art canvas and in some cases, collectors buy for that reason alone!
Vinyl Sound Quality
While the process is enjoyable whether you have a simple Crosley record player or an expensive setup, vinyl is often touted for its unique sonic qualities. Many audiophiles have invested serious money into systems that emphasize vinyl’s warmth and analog saturation. Some would argue it’s the best medium to enjoy music. This is not a hard-and-fast rule, however, especially nowadays. In the past, music was engineered with vinyl as its ultimate destination. Today, music is largely catered to digital outputs, with vinyl as more of an afterthought. Still, it’s a novelty many music lovers refuse to let fall by the wayside.
Timeless
Music technology continues to change, which brings new platforms and media for our audio experiences. Yet, it seems that vinyl’s enduring popularity ensures its survival — so far at least. There’s just something about it that will always appeal to collectors and music fans. It continues to be a gateway to get close to the music we love.
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