(Updated September 15, 2025) In October 2019 I was fortunate enough to present at the Audio Engineering Society’s annual convention in New York City on the legacy of recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder. Shortly after I gave my talk, a former mastering engineer named Bill Pauluh reached out to me via email. He … More→
My journey as a music lover began in junior high school at the age of 11. I started amassing a collection of hip hop CDs and got my first Discman and boombox. I took pride in my CD collection and had a case that neatly displayed all the spines in my bedroom. I … More→
My second trip to Japan only lasted a week but I still managed to visit 14 stores in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo!
As long as I can remember having Apple iTunes (now Apple Music) — perhaps all the way back to 2001 — I have rated all the songs in my digital library with the program’s built-in five-star system. It has made it easier for me to find the music I love and create “smart … More→
Ken Micallef is one of the most passionate jazz record collectors I have ever met. He has strong opinions, not all of which I agree with, yet I have managed to forge a solid friendship with him over the years. His outspoken perspective can most readily be experienced on his YouTube channel, which … More→
In the 1990s, the triumph of the compact disc signaled the end of the LP era and the beginning of a new era in record collecting. Giddy for the quality, convenience, and portability of compact discs, music lovers moved away from analog mediums by the troves. While record stores saw an influx of … More→
After over two years of waiting, I finally had the chance to visit Japan. I met my Japanese fiancé, Ako, through Instagram in November 2019. She visited the U.S. for extended stays twice in 2021 but I wasn’t allowed to enter Japan — not even…
(Ed. Note: I originally intended to do a formal interview with Joe and Kevin, but as the day progressed and the friendly vibe between us grew, I became less and less interested in the idea of shifting gears into being “on the record”. So I kept it casual. As a result, this article … More→
Ladies and gentlemen, after several unexpected weeks immersing myself in images and history, I present to you the Deep Groove Mono Classic Jazz Album Art Extravaganza! This design love fest has been broken into two parts with links below. The first is an essay on Modern American design and its origins, and the … More→
While I have never felt apologetic about my sincere adoration for music, sometimes I do struggle with feelings of guilt related to how important collecting is to me. I spend a lot of time thinking about and partaking in this hobby, and my propensity toward anxiety and obsession has made my active participation … More→