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 | | ARCHIVES 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | The Playlist Issue #21.18 :: 04/30/2008 - 05/06/2008 The Greater Columbia Record Fair | On Sunday, the Hunter-Gatherer will turn into Columbia’s best record store.
At least that’s what Matt Bradley is hoping.
The Main Street microbrew plays host to the inaugural Greater Columbia Record Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, in which vinyl collectors, record store owners and other record aficionados from across the Southeast will be buying, selling and trading LPs, 45s and 78s.
Bradley, record department manager at Papa Jazz in Five Points and mad genius behind SinDoolah!, spearheaded the record fair as a way to spread the gospel of vinyl to today’s generation.
“Most record conventions will be at the Jamil Temple or whatnot and it’s just real stuffy and it’s just dudes trying to sell King Crimson records for $50,” Bradley says. “And no one from our generation cares about that kind of stuff.”
“I want people to be able to get into music,” Bradley continues. “Not that Columbia’s a desert, but we don’t get it enough for a college town. [So] I figured this’d be a good first step. I want it to be all about music, not about getting drunk.”
“But there will be a full bar,” he jokes, after a pause.
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| Matt Bradley |
In addition to Hunter-Gatherer’s array of libations, Bradley estimates that 15 tables will be filled with vinyl from vendors such as Papa Jazz and Acme Comics and Records as well as private collectors the likes of Chris Bickel and WUSC. There will also be a strong Asheville contingent at the fair: Asheville’s Harvest Records will have a table, and private vendors from the Paris of the South include Greg Cartwright of garage-punk band Reigning Sound and “two really awesome DJ dudes that collect records all the time; way nerdier than I am, but in a good way,” Bradley says.
Bradley is particularly jazzed about one collector in particular: Greg Brown, who buys and sells records to hip-hop producers and counts OutKast among his clients. And serious collectors, Bradley says, will have plenty to choose from at the fair.
“There aren’t very many outlets to go buy music these days,” Bradley says. “We have a couple good record stores, but most of those good stores are forced to sell their really good records on eBay because nobody’s buying them in town. So for the people that would actually buy them, this is a chance to find some of those [records].”
But the Greater Columbia Record Fair isn’t only for the hardcore vinyl connoisseur; vendors and collectors will also be selling more proletarian fare such as new and used CDs and DVDs, and Upstairs Audio will be hawking turntables.
“We’re trying to be inclusive,” Bradley says. “There should be a good amount of [obscure collectors’ items], but I tried to stress to everyone ... that I want it to be where everyone can find something. There will be current stuff for people who aren’t into spending $50 for a record.”
Members of the Greater Columbia Society for the Preservation of Soul will be providing music throughout the day, and Bradley says the entire experience will please everyone. Well ... almost everyone.
“If you don’t like music, you probably shouldn’t go,” Bradley says.
The Greater Columbia Record Fair kicks off on Saturday with a pre-party at 10 p.m. at The Whig; three of Asheville’s finest DJs — Cartwright, Rob Castillo and Dr. Filth — will be serving up some of the finest funk, soul, garage and psych cuts they have to offer. And if that weren’t enough, there will also be a post-Record Fair party on Sunday at 7 p.m. at The Whig. For more information, point your web browser of choice to myspace.com/columbiavinyl.
Quick Hit: Post-metal monoliths Pelican have canceled their Thursday show at New Brookland Tavern due to a death in one of the band member’s family. Openers Castelia and …for science! will still play. Doors open at 8 p.m.; call 791-4413 for more information.
The Playlist is a discussion of life, the universe and everything — but mostly music. Let us know what you think: Email music@free-times.com. | |
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