For my 14th birthday, I begged my parents for a record player. After a short-lived career playing French horn in band, I quickly graduated to teaching myself acoustic guitar. I was consumed by the desire to understand music; to play more, hear more, know more. I spent all of my free time watching KylesKorner guitar tutorials, scrolling Bandcamp, and reading NME reviews (I’ve never been a Pitchfork fan). It seemed that the natural next step was to get my hands on physical copies of the music I loved!

My parents were reluctant, especially considering my dad had given away all his records to our neighbours over a decade ago. Weren’t they a thing of the past? Didn’t I want something more… useful? Unfortunately for them, the will of a soon-to-be 14-year-old girl was unmatched. And thus began my collecting journey. 

Dearest Reader, please keep in mind this guide focuses on the spirit of collecting rather than the technical details. I am by no means an expert in record care and have very limited knowledge of audio technology. If you’re truly new to the game: store your records upright, don’t touch the grooves, and perhaps do a quick search-and-scroll for more fact-based tips. Without further ado: Rowan’s Guide to Record Collecting!

(1) Buy local and in-person

The most exciting part of records is their tactile quality. So get up! Get out! Feel the records in your hands, read the hype stickers, ask the employees for recommendations! Open your mind to new possibilities and let yourself be swept away by the charm of the store and its patrons. 

I fondly recall waiting with my Dad in the mid-April cold on Record Store Day. Every year, I’d drag him out bright and early to ODDs & SODs (an Ottawa staple) to score a prized RSD exclusive and stamp my collector’s card. Purchase 9 records and get the 10th one free?! You rarely come across such generous deals these days. Such is the joy of independent record stores. 

“So where should I shop?” you may be asking. I love Sonic Boom as much as the next Toronto transplant, but there is much more to explore in this beautiful city. Some of my recent favourites include Play de Record, Neurotica, Dead Dog Records, and Kops. 

(2) Don’t knock used records

Nearly half of my collection is used. It’s where the true gems lie, especially when it comes to jazz. I’ve found copies of Jazz Samba, Study in Brown, and The Melody at Night, with You second-hand! The dulcet tones of Stan Getz could make anyone forgive a creased corner.  Alternatively, my roommate buys used jazz exclusively based on the cover art. I must admit this method yields strong results. 

If you’re unsure about purchasing a used record, a) make use of the store’s listening station, b) half-heartedly inspect for scratches and warps, or c) take a gamble. Try not to pay more than $30, or else you may fall down a slippery slope. 

(3) Pay minimal mind to grading

When you first get into collecting, you will soon realize that used records are often assigned grades. M, NM, VG+, VG, G, F, P… Much like school, except you can score worse than F. You can fall into the trap of judging a record by its assigned quality rather than valuing it as a work of art. Each purchase becomes a calculation and a competition to get the best product. 

So, my suggestion is to (mostly) disregard these ratings! Try to buy VG or higher for sound quality’s sake, but don’t break the bank for mint records. Although true audiophiles may disagree, I think the beauty of collecting lies in a record’s shared history. Every album has lived a life before it reaches your hands. I implore you to inherit the stories of its previous owners with an open heart, and in return, imbue it with our own. 

(4) Make a wishlist (or two)

If you start collecting records and tell people you’ve started collecting records, they will soon begin gifting you records. But chances are, your friends and family are not intimately familiar with your current collection, or even your taste in music. Make a list with lots of options. It will make them happier gift-givers and you a happier gift-receiver.

I also keep a personal list of classic and/or loved albums I’d like to add to my collection, but am unwilling to pay full price for. You can also use said list to direct your record store trips. After all, rifling aimlessly through miscellaneous used records is a thankless task. This method is how I stumbled upon my coveted Fiona Apple albums!

(5) Lend your records out

A controversial (but important!) take. Don’t be precious or a greedy hoarder. Records are meant to be played and shared through time and space. Be generous, be joyous, be willing. Show the people in your life that you care about them in more ways than one by extending yourself through your cherished music. Others will benefit from your thoughtfulness, and you will benefit from theirs. Yay for friendship!

Over 5 years, my record collection has grown sporadically, been painstakingly realphabetized, and, most recently, survived an intercity move. It is a joy to maintain. I hope, dear Reader, that this guide has inspired you to explore the wonderful world of records. Or, at the very least, I hope you too can find a passion that brings you happiness and community. Perhaps something less expensive. 

BONUS: Rowan’s Favourite Records from Her Brief History of Collecting

• Talking Heads – Speaking in Tongues, with package design by Robert Rauschenberg
• Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, on Eco vinyl
• Codeine – The White Birch, signed by the band
• Joni Mitchell – Blue Highlights, RSD 2022 exclusive
• Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B, with sticker sheet and magnet
• Mort Garson – Mother Earth’s Plantasia, with seed paper and plant care booklet