Photo by Andrew Brown ’18 – Mr. Smith compares to records at the vinyl club meeting. The vinyl club embodies students and faculty who share a passion for vinyl records.

By Jose Cardenas ’16
THE ROUNDUP

The Vinyl Club is music appreciation club that convenes every Wednesday at lunch to converse, listen to music and discover new songs.

The club’s co-presidents are Jake Lee ’16, Jack Rose ’16 and Brady Wheeler ’16. The club is co-moderated by Mr. Steve Smith ’96 and Mr. Dominic Scheuring ’11.

The co-presidents say that the club is focused on the atmosphere, relaxation and building friendships more than anything else.

“It’s basically a bunch of people who come together every Wednesday at lunch to talk about whatever they want, which is usually music, and we listen to music,” Lee said.

The music they listen to reaches across all genres  from rap to hip-hop to what Rose called “seventies dad rock.”

The co-presidents say that due to the rise in popularity of collecting vinyl records, every album has been turned into a vinyl.

“Every album is being released on vinyl because there has been a surge in buying vinyl and physical media,” Lee said. “I think it is just nice to hold it in your hands because it is just a big thing to have. It usually comes with a download and a poster, which is really cool.”
Members said that the physicality of records leads them into look at music differently.

“I think [vinyl] allows the listener to engage with the music more because you listen to one side then flip it to the other and move the needle to get to a specific song,” said Paul Cassidy ’19.

Collectors in the club say they enjoy the hobby that comes with buying vinyl.

“I enjoy collecting it because when all music is going digital and everything is on iTunes, I still feel that there is a human desire to collect things,” Mr. Smith said. “It seems to me the best way to support music and bands.”

When it comes to getting new members into the club, Lee said that they rely on word of mouth more than anything else.

“We just meet people who think might be interested,” Lee said. “We don’t really advertise our club very much.”

Various members said they joined the club because they have a very close relationship with vinyl.

“I got a record player for Christmas in 2014 and I started listening to my grandma’s records and I just really got into listening to vinyl and new bands,” Cassidy said.

Other members say they truly love the physical form of vinyl.

“I love how it is a physical appreciation for music,” Rose said. “At least to me it it’s an important part of it because when you listen to the record you can start at the beginning and flip it. You get a different perspective listening all the albums through and you get more involved and it gives it a sentimental value.”

The co-presidents said that students are taking those messages and values to heart and they have changed the way they view music.

“[You should] think about music as a way to connect with people and keep an open mind about music,” Rose said.