Category Archives: editorial

How to DJ Advice

technics-sl-dz1200-digital-turntable

Turntabling (the blog) is all about vinyl–everything connected to the collecting, playing, archiving and culture associated with vinyl.

I know the drive-in culture thing I am so obsessed with in these pages seems a bit of a stretch, but since I cut my teeth with vinyl when these things were growing up right alongside in 70s and 80s culture, it seems a natural to me.

But some days, it’s all about the act of mixing together the tunes and keeping people interested in your mix. The DJ aspect doesn’t get nearly as much face time here, but I do like to dispense a bit of my insider knowledge from time to time.

Today I stumbled across another one of those How To DJ sites, but this one actually had some decent information. Sound advice there, especially when it comes to trying to feel out an audience and know what works and what doesn’t.

My main gripe with how-to-DJ advice is that you can’t really learn how to spin music without DOING it. And then there’s only so far you can go before you need to have an actual audience. Want to see how fast you can clear a dance floor? How about how long it takes to bring those feet back onto that floor? You have to learn by doing. Continue reading How to DJ Advice

WTF: Count Your Blessings

wretched album art count your blessings

There’s so much wrong going on here it’s impossible to know where to begin. For starters, the album is by Willie Sutherland. So which one is Willie? They BOTH look like they just got out of an afternoon of shock therapy to cure them of “unfortunate tendencies” towards unchurchly behavior–probably attending R rated movies or wearing provacative beachwear. Can you picture either one of these yokels wearing a speedo? Perish the very idea.

And what’s with the TIES? Are we getting this album done between shifts working for Col. Sanders or what?

Then there’s the inclusion of the child, precariously wobbling on the pew, waiting for the inevitable head injury. Count your blessings? You mean like being able to get this photo snapped before the tragedy? The worst part of ALL this is the track list. It’s nothing but a bunch of copyright free church hymns you’re already forced to sing every Sunday if you’re goofy enough to haul your ass out of bed to hang out with these dorks. So what’s the incentive to BUY this record?

My favorite part about this cover? The sunglasses. I don’t know why, but it makes me think of Twin Peaks–the Horne brothers scheming away at One-Eyed Jacks. Just look at that smarmy face, already thinking about things far away from this awful album cover. Maybe reposessing a trailer house or sneaking off to to naughty things to the 17-year old prom queen working at the Tastee Freeze.

Retro Vinyl Cupboard

retro-vinyl-cupboard

A new favorite blog discovery in the ultra-fun RetroVinylCupboard. Dig the amazing collection of obscure albums from bands like Prism to bootleg albums like the Led Zepplin Burn Like a Candle 1972 show recorded at the LA Forum, to wee little gems like South London’s The Open Mind from 1969.

There’s a lot to download here, but just learning about the UK brit psych and candypop releases I’ve never heard before is a real treat. This site will suck HOURS out of your day, let the downloader beware! Great stuff.

You Read That Correctly: Vinyl Records For Sale Here

vinyl records for saleTurntabling is on the verge of getting much more active (and cool) with the addition of vinyl LPs for sale and related sundries. We introduced books and a random CD or two back a few months ago to test the response and the results were quite pleasing.

The majority of the music for sale here will be vinyl LPs, but some CDs will also make an appearance. Expect an interesting collection of sounds including Italian horror soundtracks, lounge and bossa nova, new wave/electronic, experimental, any quirky or offbeat stuff we can dig up.

If you have a band with vinyl releases, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your wholesale prices and a web addy where we can listen to digita samples. Turntabling’s areas of interest are diverse, but we need to hear it before we agree to stock it.

Stay tuned, the first LP titles go up for sale this week before the Labor Day weekend.