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Vinyl lovers flip

Album swap returns in new format
Mel Edgar

Collectors will be turning over their records to keep their love of vinyl going this weekend.

Vinyl Flip 2015 is a buy, sell and swap meet in Powell River for record collectors looking to get nostalgic and search for that perfect album.

“It’s about the thrill of the hunt,” said event organizer Bob Davey, “and finding a record that really means something to you.”

For Davey, that record is David Bowie’s 1976 compilation album, Changesonebowie. He said just listening to songs like “Space Oddity” or “Ziggy Stardust” transports him to another place and time.

“Younger kids might not have that experience with an album,” he said. “You don’t listen that way on iTunes, it’s not the same immersive experience.”

Because of Powell River’s remote location, Davey said it takes extra effort to keep the collecting scene vibrant and fresh. While residents are well-stocked with Pipe Band, Anne Murray or Nana Mouskouri records inherited from parents or grandparents, a more varied selection of records needs to be brought in from elsewhere.

“Records just don’t drift in,” he said, “they have to come in on the ferry.”

Strangely, because of their popularity, mint condition “party records,” as Davey calls them, like Led Zeppelin IV are especially hard to find.

“Those got dragged around everywhere,” said Davey. “It is really hard to find pristine gems that never got played.”

Every time he leaves on business, Davey said he keeps his eyes pealed for gems and he pops into thrift or record stores looking for music he thinks collectors in Powell River will like.

“My wife laughs at me,” he said, “because I just like to keep records moving along on their journey, and get them to where they will be appreciated.”

This year’s Vinyl Flip is the newest incarnation of last year’s Vinyl Frontier album swap run by Roxy Records co-owner Mark Lemna. After Lemna decided not to organize a swap this year, Davey said he felt compelled to do something.

“It was a riot last year and packed with people,” said Davey. “With such a great response, I knew I had to keep it going.”

Entry to Vinyl Flip is free and there will be anything from free giveaway bins of records to $20 albums.

“Who knows what you will find,” said Davey. “Collectors might even want to bring a handful of records that they want to swap.”

It’s surprising just how many people are into records in Powell River and how much the record scene has grown, said Davey.

“It’s grown astronomically,” he said. “Everyone from new moms to middle-aged men are into records these days.”

Vinyl Flip 2015 runs from 11 am to 3pm, Saturday, November 14, at Cranberry Community Hall.