Can you introduce yourself to our readers ?

My name is Jamie, and I like vinyl.

I’m from the UK, currently living in Oxfordshire. I work in digital marketing and I collect vinyl records. I spend my spare time going to gigs (you’ll find me in the pit), and spending time with my girlfriend and my two dogs.

How did you get into vinyl collecting ?

I started collecting vinyl records when I was around 15 years old. I started buying records in second-hand stores before I even had a record player, and I borrowed (permanently) loads of my parents’ old records. I was obsessed with the full-size artwork, the lyric sheets and liner notes. Music has always been important to me, and vinyl made me feel closer to the music and the artist.

Around a year after I started to get interested in vinyl records, I was given a Crosley suitcase-style turntable as a gift for my birthday so that I could actually listen to my vinyl - my first turntable. I think these turntables are good for getting people interested in vinyl, especially if they can’t afford to spend loads of money on a full set up, but I would recommend upgrading if you can. Cheap turntables can quickly wear down your records if you listen to them a lot.

I upgraded my gear shortly afterwards, because I knew that my love for vinyl was more than just a phase and I wanted gear that would look after my records and make them sound amazing.

I currently use an Audio Technica AT-LP5 and I have loved every second of it.

Do you remember the first record you bought ?

When I was 15, I bought a copy of Metal Hammer magazine that came with a 10-inch single of Locust by Machine Head. The first record I bought on its own was Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf - one of my favourite albums of all time.

What attracts you in a record ?

I love records where the songs have been specifically mastered for vinyl. The sound and dynamic range is incredible. Sometimes I’ll stream an album online and enjoy it, so I buy the vinyl and then I can hear more layers to the song than before. It’s a fantastic experience.

I also love albums. I’m not a playlist person. Vinyl records preserve the integrity of listening to an album in full, without skipping tracks. I love that.

I’m a huge fan of album artwork. I think artwork is really important for how I experience and interpret the album. Coloured vinyl can be a great extension of album artwork. I love coloured vinyl, I don’t think it’s a gimmick. I think it is another way of exploring the art behind music. And seriously, some coloured vinyl is just so bloody beautiful.

Which record(s) is/are missing in your collection ?

So many ! For every record I buy, I add another record to my wantlist.

But seriously, if anyone wants to hook me up with a copy of The Fall of Ideals by All That Remains, Close the Distance by Go Radio, or I Loved I Hated I Destroyed I Created by The Elijah - hit me up !

I’ve seen that you like metal music, what are your musical influences ?

I grew up listening to music my parents liked: ABBA, Meat Loaf, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Diamond come to mind.

My uncle, on the other hand, introduced me to some of the greatest rock and metal bands: Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Metallica, Iron Maiden and Guns ‘N’ Roses. My older cousin introduced me to some awesome early 00s metalcore bands like Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine and Killswitch Engage. My taste all evolved from those influences.

I think 90% of the music I listen to is rock and metal music. As a guitar player, I love anything with good riffs, and a guitar solo is always a bonus.

You have to leave your house in a hurry because of a tornado, which records would you bring with you ?

Oh man ! I’d want to save all of them.

I’ll give you 5…
Bon Jovi - New Jersey (First pressing)
Metallica - Master of Puppets (A gift)
Insomnium - Shadows of the Dying Sun (First pressing)
Conjurer - Mire (test pressing)
Death - The Sound of Perseverance (Pinwheel/splatter edition)

What was your latest purchase ?

The last album I bought was Gojira - Fortitude. But, by the time you read this, I will have probably bought something else !

Want to add a little something ?

Support artists ! It’s been so difficult for artists recently. If you can, buy something from them. A vinyl record or t-shirt is worth THOUSANDS of streams from a music streaming service.

I know not everyone can afford to buy merchandise from every band (I wish I could afford to !), but posting about an artist on social media and telling your friends doesn’t cost ANYTHING.

Finally, Thank you so much to Diggers Factory (especially Yoann !) for talking to me, and for releasing some fantastic vinyl records !