“The first time I ever heard a vinyl record was when I was just a baby. Since my dad is a technical guy and an inventor, we were never short of new gadgets in my family. He owned one of the latest, state-of-the-art turntables at the time and kept an extensive collection of ’60s, ’70s and ’80s records (both international and German artists) in our home in Berlin.”
“He was a big fan of Duran Duran and The Police and, in fact, he even looks a bit like Sting.
Unlike my dad, my mum was always more inclined to Disco and had lots of cassette tapes, which were handy for singalongs on long drives to Denmark for our family holidays. She owned a record player too, but didn’t use it that much so she gave it to me as a present a couple of years ago.
When I moved to London in 2004, I bought my first vinyl album. I went to Camden Market and fell in love with the variety of music there, but for my first vinyl purchase, I chose LA Woman by The Doors.
I had been a fan of The Doors since my early teens and their songs and lyrics have been an inspiration for me throughout the years. Owning that vinyl record meant I could hear every detail of their music and lose myself in the warmth of that characteristic sound. Most of my other 12” records are ’80s albums from artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Grace Jones, Wham, and A-Ha who still inspire my music today.
Since photography is my second biggest passion, I’m very attracted to visual elements. I was totally in love with the artwork on album covers. In fact, I ended up buying dozens of 12” records and used their sleeves as wallpaper in my bedroom for years. They all had a special place on my wall and in a way worked as a “projection board” for the kind of artist I wanted to become.
I wouldn’t change vinyl records for anything in the world as they always bring back amazing memories.”
—Nina
Nina’s “My Mistake” EP is available now via Aztec Records.
Nina Official | Facebook | Twitter
