THE old-school format of new and old music will be on offer this weekend as Mount Gambier holds its first annual vinyl swap meet.
Mount Gambier Record Fair invites everyone from the extreme record collector to the hobby listener in a unique event to support the South East Animal Welfare League.
“You can come and buy new and second-hand records or even bring some to trade,” event organiser Steve Jankowicz said.
“The older generation have all got a record collection or had one.
“The younger crew are also getting into it, whether it be the hipster thing or the sound quality.”
The event will involve 10 vendors including three from Adelaide, one from Geelong, one from Warrnambool, one from Hamilton and four from the South East.
“One vendor is from Byron Bay and goes to the United States regularly,” Mr Jankowicz said.
“He comes back with around 50,000 records and ships them back to Adelaide and Melbourne fairs.
“I have asked him if he has any James Brown and he goes ‘yeah, somewhere in that section over there’.”
The event is currently at full capacity for vendors.
“We are at capacity, which is quite overwhelming,” Mr Jankowicz said.
“Normally you might get four or five vendors, so hopefully we can squeeze them all in.
“We have a couple of young bands and a couple of DJs as well as records playing throughout the day for background music.”
The fair was something Mr Jankowicz had long hoped to bring to the South East.
“I have been to previous record fairs before in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane,” he said.
“I have also been involved in the event at Port Fairy for a few years, which is combined with their winter celebration.
“I thought it was something we have in other places that we could have here as well.”
The physical aspect of the record is something that will appeal to many.
“Records are physical objects that you can hold in your hands,” Mr Jankowicz said.
“I love the artwork, stickers and posters that come with them and the smell of old records and new records.
“It is that whole physical experience being able to have music, but also something else that goes with it.”
Mr Jankowicz has his own extensive record collection, which is ever expanding.
“I inherited my folks’ record collection and it has morphed into the beast it is now,” he said.
“I used to be a DJ and used turntables as there was no Spotify or iTunes back then.
“Everything was available on White Label, which was just a black record with a white label and a handwritten title.”
Mr Jankowicz believes records have made a comeback in the past five years.
“A lot of people I know travel away to get their records, whether it be Clarity in Adelaide or Prehistoric Sounds in Warrnambool,” he said.
“It is great to have something here and coming up to Christmas it is a good way to get a present instead of going to the city or buying online.
“You have the option of physically looking at it and checking out the condition.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore all genres of music at the fair.
“I think it is just nice to have a dig and pull out something you like,” Mr Jankowicz said.
“You may not have known you wanted it until you find it.”
The fair may be a learning aspect for the future generation.
“I do enjoy watching parents try to explain what a record is,” Mr Jankowicz said.
“The kids look at them and wonder what it actually is.
The not-for-profit event will raise funds for a South East charity.
“Entry to the event is a $2 donation with all proceeds going towards the South East Animal Welfare League,” he said.
“All stall holders will pay a $20 fee per table and that goes to the venue hire.
“We aim to expand the event to all ages next year, but kids like to get their grubby hands on things, which is probably not a good partnership for vinyl.”
Held at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol on Saturday from noon, people are urged to head along to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, a coffee and refreshment or simply to enjoy tunes in the “golden era” format.
