Long Overdue Post from Nowhere.

Yeah.

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LetitrainTV Interviews Michael Dupouy from La MJC/All Gone [VIDEO]

As promised, Let It Rain TV delivers to you the extended cut of the interview that we did with Michael Dupouy from La MJC and The All Gone books. Hear his story, his motives and his plans for the future as Tim and Michael discuss his past work, the current state of the sneaker industry and what else he has in store for us.
Enjoy!

I am still searching for this man's email address or some way to contact him. I would love to pick his brain and figure out more about All Gone. I want to interview him. I want to be mentored by him. I just wanted to get my All Gone book signed. I admire him and read all kinds of interviews with him, his book, and the book signings. Now I sound like an obsessed teenage fan. Ah well. He's an inspiration to me.

CULTURED: Getting to Know - Michael Kurtz, Record Store Day

credit: Record Store Day

In about 64 days, the annual Record Store Day will once again have arrived for us vinyl record collectors and fans out there. What's this day about you may ask? Well it's almost like Christmas for vinyl record fans. Almost, but not quite as there's no cheery fat man in a suit "delivering" presents. Instead it's probably you waiting in line buying your own gift, which is how many spend the holiday, but I digress. On this day, artists may release limited edition special releases exclusive to RSD. Record stores around the country participate, throw events, have performances, etc. and tons of people come out. Well, I can't speak for other cities and stores, but last year, Good Records in Dallas had a crazy turnout. And yes, I was there, not as a shopper (although I wanted to be), but as a volunteer. I wanted to buy some limited releases, but after doing my volunteer shift (I even got a free tee!), the line was so massive/there was tons of people everywhere and I had to work later than night, I couldn't stay. The smart thing would have been to arrive early as many things were snatched up pretty quickly. 

Anyway, long story short, the day is slowly approaching. For those who don't know, it's going to be held April 21 and I chatted with one of RSD's co-founders, Michael Kurtz. Launched five years ago, Michael tells us why RSD was started, what's next for it, and his personal top three albums. To find out more information, be sure to check out their site.

What led to Record Store Day being created and who's all behind this day?

Record Store Day was initially launched for two reasons. One, we wanted an excuse to throw a party/celebration for music and, two, we wanted to counter all of the negative media coverage on the music industry in general and record stores in specific. The people behind it are record store owners and their employees.

Do you feel RSD is helping to drive the resurgent popularity of vinyl and also helping to get curious or new collectors in?

You can trace the launch vinyl revolution to when Record Store Day launched five years ago. We’ve helped relaunch countless vinyl manufacturing companies and created millions of dollars of vinyl releases. We are not interested in mass producing anything. Instead we create small runs of pieces of art. This has definitely fueled the collectability of vinyl and brought a lot of new collectors in.

What are your hopes for this year's event? Any special releases/events we should be looking out for?

Like every year we simply hope that the million or so people who come out to celebrate have a great time and that we allow artists to express themselves in unique ways, whether that is with special events or special releases. It’s looking good so far.

What is the future of RSD and where do you see it going? Would you like to expand on this event and add more, maybe something during the rest of the year?

We will be launching the Record Store Day app on March 1^st. This will help folks not only find their local record stores it will help to get involved in record store culture via information, artist videos/music, contests and news. We’ll also be launching a third option with artists who are interested in supporting record stores. This third option will allow them to place a record store buy button next to iTunes and Amazon. Beyond that, RSD is expanding exponentially on the international level. This is really exciting.

Are you a collector yourself? What's your top three records in your collection (if so)? Any "holy grail" LP you're craving?

Yes. My top three records are R.E.M.’s “Radio Free Europe” on the original Hib-tone label. Frank Zappa’s original pressing of “Lumpy Gravy,” and Adele’s RSD release of “Rolling In The Deep,” recorded live at the World Café. I have a pretty extensive collection of all of 7” singles, by various artists, that the Beatles released on their Apple label.

Do you think vinyl will ever truly die or will it always hang around?

We are just starting to see a new generation embrace vinyl. I think it’s going to be around for a long time.

Record Store Day

April 21, 2012

www.recordstoreday.com

twitpics & instagrams.

This is my random assortment of various photos I've taken posting. 

Enjoy.

/end.

PRODUCT SHOTS

I don't claim to be a photographer in the professional sense. I'm more a hobbyist who's trying to be better than okay. Here's some older shots I've taken. I'm working on doing another shoot, for practice, sometime soon. Enjoy.

A FACTORY IN BROOKLYN by Style Ledger

A FACTORY IN BROOKLYN from STYLE LEDGER on Vimeo.
Style Ledger takes a look at American manufacturing, with a focus on the Martin Greenfield factory in Brooklyn.

Big Dreams.

I don't usually put my goals out there like this; I consider myself too private a person. But, sometimes I feel putting things out there make it seem a little more real. It provides more incentive if seen on a daily basis and what not. It always could help if the people you want to work for knew you wanted to work for them. So with that being written, I came up with short- and long-term goals. The short-term goal is another story, mainly financial ones. The long-term ones however, are more career-driven. I figured I would put it out there for the world to see, because you just never know what good things could happen.

I love to write. English has always been my favorite subject. I still remember, way back in the 8th grade, being in an "on-level" class. I was the smartest (not in a bragging way). Or maybe I was just the only person interested. Either way, it wasn't too fun. You know, being around people who don't care. I remember getting the opportunity to move to the other English class. The one with all my friends and the one with the higher bar. Despite being behind (I came there after Christmas, so everyone had a semester jump on me), I caught up. And then when the stress of being behind went away, I loved it. I continued with Pre-AP/AP courses until I graduated. But really, those courses were all about reading fancy books, usually starting over the summer, and taking quizzes. And I tried, and failed, at convincing my younger sisters to take the Pre-AP English classes. But, anyway, getting back on track.

The goal I set myself is a big one - By next summer, I want to visit Australia and work or intern for ACCLAIM magazine, Sneaker Freaker, or T-World. But in a perfect world, I would be happy to work/intern for all three, at the same time. I am a huge fan of the printed magazine in a time I know more and more people are singing the praises of the digital format. There are some things I can do in the digital world, but reading a magazine is not. For me, digital is okay for watching a movie or TV show and reading the occasional ebook. But magazines? Printed all the way. 

Working for one (or all) of these magazines would be a dream. I like to write. I like to take pictures. I like to travel. I like it all and want to do it all. I want to learn all the aspects of running a magazine. Why these magazines you may be wondering? Or not. I don't know. But in the event you are wondering, I would like to say that I love all three of these magazines, first and foremost as a reader and a fan. I even had a shot to write for one. I like the streetwear/street culture scene. I like interviewing brands and the creative minds running them. I like finding them. I like reading their blogs. I like the stores, the creative minds, the artists, the trade shows.... the whole culture is amazing. 

So with that being said, my long-term goal is to move to Australia, even if it's just for the summer. I have a little over one year to hone my writing and photography, build up my savings account, delete my debt, and find some housing. And speaking of housing, every rental property in Melbourne is by the week. Do they not have a monthly option? Hmm.

Hopefully, within a year I can look back at this very post and feel I am advancing on this goal. 

I know this isn't a binding contract. Things could change. But this gives me a little hope.