Collector Interview: Eidelyn G. & Jon T.
Posted on July 07 2020
This week I'm eager to share the record collections of Eidelyn and Jon. This San Francisco couple share music and lifestyle photos on their Instagram account @soundinwater. While their collections are individually distinct, they both have some share musical interests. Jon shares, "Our musical overlap tends to be with more contemporary artists, particularly of the brit-pop persuasion. In these situations, you'll often find that we'll have an artist's complete discography split between us. There are probably only a handful of records we both own in our individual collections (neither of us are willing to let them go, it would seem!)"
Jon: Urban mobility professional by day, music enthusiast by night, 100% plant-based.
Eidelyn: I'm a former scientist living in the big city, interested in music, personal style, comic books, arts and photography. On Instagram, I share music and lifestyle photos on @soundinwater with my partner, Jon.
Do you share your collection?
At one point, we had all of our records in a single shelving unit, though we used distinct cubes for each other's records. However, as our collections have grown (unwittingly spurring each other on with each new purchase the other makes), we've had to buy further shelving. With that, we've made the division between our collections more distinct.
The good thing about having two record collectors in the house is that both people are totally fine spending hours in record shops while on holidays. The downside is that records can easily take over your house if your appetite and curation get too expansive. Like relationships in general, record collecting with your partner involves compromise and understanding. I tend to have more space in my shelving unit, so I don't mind making some of that space available for Eidelyn's exotica and lounge selection to continue to grow.
Which Koeppel Design products do you use?
Jon: 6 Horizontal A-Z Record Dividers, Stencil. For me, record collecting is just as much about the visual experience as it is the aural. The Koeppel record dividers, with their simple yet modern design, add sophistication to my record collection. And of course, they help me find what I need (and avoid records getting lost!)
Eidelyn: 11 Horizontal A-Z Record Dividers, Engraved, plus a custom divider (and I plan to order more customs!). Jon had his dividers long before I did, and I was always envious that his collection was more organized than mine. As a rigidly structured person, the record dividers take the stress and anxiety out of searching for an album, while adding function and style to an otherwise visual desert.
Size of your collection:
Jon: About 650 records
Eidelyn: About 1000 records
How do you organize your collection?
Eidelyn: I organize alphabetically by last name, with soundtracks and compilations at the end. The college radio station where I used to DJ organized their music this way, so I opted to organize my collection this way as well. My small selection of 10" records are sorted separately from the 12" records.
Jon: Mostly alphabetical (by last name or group), with compilations and soundtracks at the end. This was how we did it in the record store I used to manage and thus I’ve continued the practice at home all these years later.
What album/artist are you listening to right now?
Eidelyn: Man Made (aka Nile Marr) - TV Broke My Brain
Jon: I’ve been listening to a lot of 12” singles lately, with a special emphasis on the Shop Assistants and Motorcycle Boy.
How does your record collection make you feel?
Jon: Comforted and accomplished. Comforted because I have so much great music at my finger tips and accomplished because some of these records were very difficult to find (and ones I thought I would never call my own.)
Eidelyn: This may sound cheesy, but my record collection makes me feel complete. I have long taken inspiration from past fashion style and cultural subcultures, and my record collection reflects that love for various musical genres.
How long have you been collecting records?
Eidelyn: I have been collecting cassettes and CDs since my teens, but, when I was financially able to do so as an adult, I started collecting records. I started with collecting vintage lounge and exotica records in the dollar bins, and eventually moved into more modern music genres.
Jon: About 20 years. I first started buying records as I got into local music/scenes as a teenager, but had always had a strong appreciation for vinyl and record collections due to my dad (who had a fairly large collection prominently displayed in our living room.)
Favorite music genre in your collection:
Eidelyn: Depeche Mode!
Jon: 80s/90s UK indie pop and alternative rock.
Best album to listen to when you’ve had a rough day/week:
Jon: Pet Sounds. There’s something about those luscious harmonies that seem to cradle you and let you know everything is going to be okay.
Eidelyn: Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion
Best album to listen to when you’ve had a really great day/week OR you just really want to feel good:
Jon: Boy with the Arab Strap (from Belle and Sebastian). I find it nearly impossible not to get up and dance when the title track comes on.
Eidelyn: Martin Denny - Quiet Village
Last record you purchased:
Jon: The Forever People 7” from Sarah Records.
Eidelyn: Goldfrapp - Black Cherry, Isle of Dogs OST, and V/A - Pacific Breeze 2: Japanese City Pop, AOR, & Boogie 1972-1986
What is your beverage of choice when listening to records?
Eidelyn: Depends on the type of album I'm listening to: a mai tai when I'm listening to my lounge and exotica albums, a glass of riesling when I'm listening to everything else.
Jon: A pint of beer, stronger the better ;)
Where do you hunt for vinyl?
Jon: When at home in San Francisco, my favorite place to shop is Pyramid Records. They have a highly curated selection and best store aesthetic, not to mention an all-around great guy who owns the shop. Outside of the city, I’m obsessed with Disk Union and Vinyl Japan in Tokyo.
Eidelyn: Obviously Amoeba Records (here in SF! Some favorite places in the US are Crossroads Records in Portland, Oregon, Breakaway Records in Austin, Texas and Human Head Records in NY.
