“I must have been in kindergarten when I found my dad’s record player and his very small collection in the attic. I remember only one vinyl that had caught my attention, Percy Sledge, “When a Man Loves a Woman” on a 7″. I played it over and over again but it wasn’t enough for vinyl and me to become more than just friends.”
“The real love story began a few years ago when I was strolling across flea markets and started to become as attracted to vinyl as to vintage clothes. Flea markets on early Saturday mornings with a slight hangover are my favourite occasions to buy second-hand vinyl. Meeting their old owners who might share a story with you about the record you’re going to buy—love it. I think that’s very nostalgic and romantic and most of the time this affects the records I buy.
I bought Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours in such a mood and spin it now almost every Sunday while having coffee and pancakes. An original ’87 edition of Sisters of Mercy, Floodlands is another flea market treasure I found a few years ago. But when I spun the record I realized I only like a certain style of music on vinyl. I don’t like to have the typical warmth and fuzz (that I usually adore!!) on electronic music. DAF (Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft) is another good example. I needed to have those records for the collection but barely ever played them.
One of my favourite records is Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World. It was a special gift to me by a special person and I think his music was meant to be on vinyl.
My biggest moment was when I received MY vinyl. I mean, MY record Sirens on vinyl. I have to admit I wasn’t interested in having my record on CD at all. It was like, “Ok… some people might buy a CD.” Vinyl was completely different. I spent hours figuring out how I wanted this vinyl to be and ordered raw, heavy paper and beautiful 180 gram white vinyl. My mind stopped being rational when I chose all these features and I was more than aware of the fact that maybe nobody will ever buy the vinyl and they might rot in my parents attic. But I just didn’t care. I needed to have them to be exactly like that.
Coming home from being on the road and finding the carton of my records in my living room was an experience I’ll never forget. I unpacked one vinyl and time was standing still for a very long moment. I have never felt more proud in my whole life—being able to hold my work and dreams pressed onto vinyl in my hands.”
—Laura Carbone
Laura Carbone’s full length release, Sirens is in stores March 11 via Aporia Records. On vinyl.
Laura Carbone at SXSW:
March 17 – Tellers (8:00PM), presented by The Planetary Group
March 19 – International Day Stage (1:00PM)
March 19 – Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room (1:00AM) presented by V-ROX
Laura Carbone Official | Facebook | Twitter
PHOTO: JOE DILWORTH
