Soundscapes
In the age of digital dominance, with every piece of music history at the touch of a button, what makes someone still collect analogue forms of music?
Soundscapes provides a sneak peak into the world of collecting, shedding light on the character type of the music fan and the unique form their obsessive behaviours take within their personal spaces. By looking at the presentation of music related objects within these environments, we are provided with an insight into the inner workings of the collectors mind.Collecting records and other music related artefacts is about the feeling of having a closer relationship to the music in a more physical and tactile way. Its music archeology in searching and discovering the authentic original first pressings. To a collector, digital copies, CDs and even vinyl represses don't matter, it is always about the original first pressing which is why collectors can pay hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds for original records that they may already have the music on many other formats.
Physical music collections can create (and recreate) an environment of another time and place. Through the accumulation of music-related items, individuals construct their own realm, influenced by the auditory landscapes of various countries and musical styles. This immersion allows for the reshaping of personal worlds and identities, all guided by the transformative influence of music. For Britons with connections to places like the Caribbean, these musical spaces offer a comforting sense of connection to their heritage and cultural identity.
The comfort experienced reprompts the inquiry: why do individuals collect? For many, the answer remains elusive. Some find it a means of fostering intimacy—a tangible link to musical moments that defy description. Others see it as a behavioural inclination, a facet of their inherent character. To most its an emotional connection and experience, their drug of choice. And in all cases.........they just love it.