rewind

A short while back, a fine lad—whom I follow on Mastodon—posted a blog entry about cassettes, and it inspired me. I have often attempted to write something music-related, but I'm neither a gifted writer, nor a person who is eager to share any creation (written or otherwise). The detail of cassettes however, provided the jumping-off point that I think I needed. Anyway...here we are (let's see if I delete or publish what follows).

I had never been a "tape guy" back in the day. I started collecting records when I was 8 (a Thin Lizzy 45 was my gateway to a life-long obsession), and my parents didn't have a tape player in the house, so vinyl was my thing. I made mix tapes of course (when I eventually purchased my own cassette deck), but as far as buying albums, I was always a "vinyl guy" (and eventually in the 90s, a "CD guy"). Besides, tapes were inferior in sound, had little artwork (literally and figuratively) and were prone to degradation and destruction. That said, I did own a few. Truth be told, after browsing randomly through Discogs, I had more than I initially thought. I genuinely regret "losing" them all, some time around the late 90s/early 2000s.

Now, fast forward ►► from the lates 90s to the late 2010s, when I discovered Bandcamp. I had been aware of Bandcamp before that (having known someone who posted his own album on it). I have absolutely no recollection however, as to how or why I ended up there again in 2017. All I know is I found a Black Metal group from Istanbul (how fucking cool is *that*?!) whose first full-length album was available on a red-shell cassette. But why would someone who calls himself a "vinyl guy" or a "CD guy" purchase a cassette? Not exactly sure why. Part of the alure was the fact that Bandcamp also provided a digital download for the album. Part was nostalgia - a object that itself could conjure memories of a bygone era. Plus, what better way to enjoy Black Metal than to listen to it on low-fi cassette? I had to get it.

Since that time I have added a few more cassettes to the collection. I managed to find a few old tapes kicking around the basement, too. I still mainly purchase vinyl and CDs, but every now and then I'll pick up a new tape if the option is there. I plan to write more in the future about music (and my relationship with it). I also plan to write more about physical media, and the significance of each format.

But we shall see. I *plan* to do a lot of things. Who knows? I've planned this post for a while, and lookee here - actually gone and done it.

Until next time.
Do good, be well, and support artists!