The Rise of Vinyl

By now you’re likely aware of the big resurgence in vinyl sales that’s taken place giving music and nostalgists alike have reason to rejoice . But what is driving this rise in Vinyl?

Vinyl remains popular because the high-quality sound it delivers. While everyone from DJs to your grandfather has been saying for years that the sound on vinyl is richer, warmer and clearer than what’s being released online, it might not just be music snobbery talking. Most industry experts agree with them to an extent. Yet sound isn’t the only part of vinyl’s renewed appeal. Many agree that the tangible aspect of vinyl, its physicality, is a draw for most people. Simon Cole said "There’s a physical thing about putting a record on a record table and dropping the needle. I think that physical thing is great. I think there is a new generation that is discovering the physicality of playing a piece of music like that.” 

Part of that appeal could come down to good old fashioned consumerism — we allow our possessions to define us. Nik Pollinger, a digital anthropologist who advises companies on the factors that motivate consumer behavior, told TIME in an email, “What we display in public is used to send social signals about our identities. Making our taste in music visible has historically played an important role in such signalling for many people.” Owning a vinyl collection, of course, “restores this ability.”

For me its all about Nostalgia and my love for everything old that has got be rejoicing. I remember many nights listening to my Dad's records on his old turn table. My parents would dance around the room singing along to the Beatles, Elvis and more. My dad loved his records so much he saved his collection of LP's (as he likes to call them) ;) and everytime he walks past Mabu Vinyl in Cape Town i see his face light up. The memory of the joy on their faces listening to these old records lives on whenever I see a turn table or vinyl. It is because of this memory I hope the rise of the vinyl continues.

I decided to post this today because it is World Record Store day and it is a day to celebrate vinyl. Record store day is an annual event that promotes independent record stores. Participating record stores across the world sell a limited supply of records released just for the day. Happy record store day to all those celebrating. If you live in Cape Town be sure to check out Mabu Vinyl just off Kloof Street.