Tag Archives: journalism
Record Store Day 2015!
The book was out just in time for RSD 2015! Woohooo! On April 18, Mike and I had two signings that morning prior to the big party in the evening in downtown LA. We first stopped at Jacknife Records & Tapes and stayed for a couple of hours with Trevor. We sold about 9 books, and one woman bought three. She called the book “tremendous” –WOW!
But our very first customer was Phillip — he was sold right away. He just started collecting vinyl and he said he is loving his new hobby. He was a sweetheart.
This is him:
Phillip — our first customer of the day!
More photos from Jacknife:
After Jacknife we went down to the heart of Hollywood to Record Parlour — that place was happening! WOW! Chad and Chris threw a partay!! There were two bands scheduled to play once we left and there was a constant flow of people. Great store !
Here are some photos of the Record Parlour signing:
Above: This is Michael, from Germany, he was such a gentleman and was super interested in vinyl, and the BOOK! We recommended he go visit Kevin Donan from As the Record Turns, and he went straight there. Next thing we know there’s a photo of Kevin and him on Facebook with our book! Thank you, Michael!!
Filed under Life
Book featured in Lenscratch blogzine
Female customer digging at Vacation Vinyl in Silver Lake, Calif. Photo by Mike Spitz.
By Aline Smith:
Photographer Mike Spitz takes us back a few decades when listening to music meant visiting a local record store, flipping through the bins, purchasing a record because of an interesting cover photograph or design, bring home a particular sound and letting the needle hit the vinyl. His new book, The Record Store Book, published by Rare Bird Books, takes us on a vinyl journey visiting the places and people that celebrate records. The book is enriched by interviews and text by Rebecca Villaneda and it will be sold at Urban Outfitters (US & Europe), bookstores, and select record stores with worldwide distribution. On April 18th, Mike and Rebecca will be signing books (on Record Store Day!) at Jackknife Records (11-1pm) and Record Parlour (2-4pm) in Los Angeles, ending the day with a big party and book signing at the Regent Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Read the entire piece by Smith, here: http://lenscratch.com/2015/04/mike-spitz-the-record-store/
Filed under Life
My heart is so HAPPY
I received an email today from the Norwalk Records store manager, Edie Gonzales, and it warmed my heart. I anticipate that this is the first of many emails to get from people featured in the book:
Hello Rebecca,
Just received our book from Amazon and what beautiful work you and Mike did. It certainly is a Beauty and looking forward to meeting you on RSD at Rockaway Records. And also picking up a few more copies. Thank you sooo much for considering us to be in this gem of a book it certainly is an “Honor”. I have been employed here for over 31 yrs and I’ve seen the rise of vinyl and fall and now pretty steady. It made our day today and we can’t stop looking at the book were all taking turns.
Again Thank you for all you did to put together this amazing piece of art.
PS. Is there a special link for our customers to buy the book anyone in particular I am gonna post it up on our IG & FB and would like to provide a link.
Edie Gonzales, Store Manager
This is Richard Sneed, Norwalk store owner:
Photo by Mike Spitz
Filed under Journalism, Life
Record Collector gives ‘The Record Store Book’ a shout-out
“The Record Store Book” got a mention in the April issue of Record Collector
The writer calls the book an “unbelievably superb coffee table book of Los Angeles Record Stores.”
Check it out here.
Filed under Journalism, Music
Jason Mraz at the SB Bowl
September 2, 2013
Labor Day
Just saw Jason Mraz for the first time in Santa Barbara, Calif., for a benefit concert to benefit Life Rolls On, which is an organization that helps people surf the ocean who may not otherwise.
Jessie Bauller (SP)? Who created Life Rolls On because 17 years ago he caught a wave badly became a parapalegic and tied to a wheelchair. Thanks to countless volunteers and musicians like Jason Mraz, Life Rolls On allows a ride on a wave for people who can no longer do it on their own.
Bauller came on stage and thanked volunteers, his friend Mraz and especially his girlfriend. People who have benefited from Life Rolls On also were in the audience enjoying the hot, hot Santa Barbara weather.
Every age was present today. Newborns, teens and their parents, and us 30 year olds dancing by ourselves.
It was a perfect night with brass instruments,
and Mraz constantly with his guitar – except for the one time he played drums. He sat behind the backbone of the stage and left the usual drummer sing a song he wrote about employment. It was bluesy and he played the hell out of a silver guitar.
If you weren’t a Mraz fan you ould have easily missed one of his, if not thee first hit, “The Remedy.” A whole new backdrop was set behind the lyrics – – but those words still came through, and still mean much to this writer.
“I won’t worry my life away – – hayyyyyyyyy -ohhhohhhh” sing it as you please, and Mraz encouraged that anytime he could. He liked sing-alongs, and hand dance-athons as well. Jazz hands appeared a substantial amount this fine evening. May make this an anthem. He gets it, why can’t we all. Let it be.
LYRICS
Well, I saw fireworks from the freeway And behind closed eyes, I cannot make them go away ’Cause you were born on the fourth of July, freedom ring Well, something on the surface it stinks
I said, something on the surface It kind of makes me nervous To say that you deserve this And what kind of God would serve this We will cure this dirty old disease
Well, if you you’ve got the poison, I’ve got the remedy The remedy is the experience, this is a dangerous liaison I says the comedy is that it’s serious This is a strange enough new play on words
I said, the tragedy is that you’re going to spend The rest of your nights with the light on So shine the light on all of your friends Well, it all amounts to nothing in the end
I won’t worry my life away Say, I won’t worry my life away
Well, I heard two men, talking on the radio In a crossfire kind of new reality show Uncovering the ways to plan the next big attack Or they were counting down the ways to stab The brother in the be right back after this The unavoidable kiss, with a minty fresh death-breath Is sure to outlast this catastrophe dance with me
Well, if youve got the poison and baby I’m your remedy The remedy is the experience, this is a dangerous liaison I says the comedy is that it’s serious This is a strange enough new play on words
I said, the tragedy is that you’re going to spend The rest of your nights with the light on So shine the light on all of your friends Well, it all amounts to nothing in the end
Oh, Lord I won’t, I won’t worry my life away Say, I, I won’t worry my life away
When I fall in love now I take my time, there’s no need to hurry When I’m making up my mind You can turn off the sun, but I’m still going to shine And I’ll tell you why
Because the remedy is always the experience And it’s a dangerous liaison I says the comedy is that it’s serious And is a play on words
I said, the tragedy is that you’re going to spend The rest of your nights with the light on So shine the light on all of your friends Well, it all amounts to nothing in the end
Oh, Lord I won’t, I won’t worry my life away Say, I, I won’t worry my life away
Not today, I wont, I wont, I wont Worry this life away Oh, ain’t worrying this no more I said I wont, I wont, I wont Worry this life away tonight, tonight ’Cause we got to feel more, oh
Filed under Journalism, Life, Music
Becky from Gardena 