“The first record I ever bought was when I was 5 years old. My mum used to take my sisters and I to a lot of car boot sales as kids where we’d find all kinds of gems to take home for next to nothing.”
“That day I found a record player. I’m not even sure I even quite knew what it was, but I liked the way it looked and smelled. The lady sold it to me along with two records (to this day I’ve no idea what they were) for £2. I was so excited to get the record player home so I could listen to the music.
That evening I put it in the middle of my bedroom and blasted the records out of the open window over and over again (my poor neighbours). I just remember feeling really good. I was enthralled by the sound. I wish I knew who was playing! I feel like it was most probably someone like Roy Orbison or Elvis because I can still vividly remember the rich texture of the vocal, but I can’t be sure.
After many house moves, somewhere along the way I lost that record player and moved on to tapes for a while, which were equally exciting to me. I loved the sleeves and being able to read the lyrics inside. Specially people like Tracy Chapman and Michael Jackson whose lyrics I always found fascinating.
When we eventually moved back to Bristol from London I found delight in perusing the shelves of Plastic Wax Records on Gloucester Road in my hometown of Bristol, UK (which is still there!) and spending my pocket money on music. The most cringe-worthy record I bought there I think has to be “Anything” by 3T (Michael Jackson’s nephews). It was beyond cheesy, but what all the girls my age were listening to back then. I was so excited I listened to it on repeat for days. I like to think my musical taste has become a little more discerning since then…
Recently a dear friend of mine bought me a new record player so I think it’s time I updated my collection and made some vinyl of my own!”
—Katey Brooks
Katey Brooks’ current single, “In Your Arms” is in stores now.
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PHOTO: JOHN MORGAN
