Welcome to Episode 6 of the Record Collectors Club Conversations Podcast and this weeks guest is author Mark Mcdonald.

Mark has just released a vinyl records related book around the genre of Rap records from the late 80s and early 90s. The book, titled “Megablast : The Top 100 UK Rap Records 1987-1993” digs deep into this genre and breaks down the UK Rap scene from this period.

We chat about the history of the UK Rap scene, key records released in this scene around the era that Mark's book is focused on and dig into his record collection also touching on his background as a graphic designer and his history as a graphic artist in the graffiti and tagging scene in London.

On Episode 5 of the Record Collectors Club Conversations Podcast,  I am joined by an incredibly talented artist and illustrator, Ben O’Brien or better known as Ben the Illustrator. 

Ben’s work first caught my eye when he started to produce his “Cover Versions” illustrations of famous record sleeves and that has led him to work with some amazing bands and artists such as The Cure, Tim Burgess and Sparks. 

We talked about the art of creating record sleeves, music tastes, records (of course), music festivals and Elton John emoji's amongst many other things!

On episode 4 of The Record Collectors Club Conversations Podcast, Iain talks to two members of the Uk indie band, The Moonlight Parade. Having formed back in 2018, the band from the South Coast have released 4 records and have amassed an obsessive following of hardcore obsessive fans.

Their recent record "Strange Times" has just been released in the last couple of months to great acclaim from fans and critics, further cementing their reputation as one of my favourite bands of the past decade.

I chat to bass guitarist Alex and singer and lyricist Ben about their process of putting records together as a band, the writing process that they go through, getting their music onto vinyl and also their influences through their years of listening to music and digging for records. 

On this weeks podcast episode, Iain speaks to world famous Oasis obsessive and collector, Brian Garcia from Los Angeles.

Brian's collection of Oasis memorabilia, records and rare items has to be seen to be believed but it currently spans into the thousands of items. Even Noel and Liam themselves are aware of this collection having signed numerous pieces for Brian when he's met them both.

We talk about how his collection started, favourite pieces, rare items and of course, dig into the recent news regarding the Oasis reunion and upcoming tour next year.

On this weeks episode, Iain talks to Grant Decker, the owner of Vinyl Shakedown Records in Hinckley. Having collected records most of his adult life and also DJ'd for a number of years using vinyl, Grant started to buy and sell vinyl using his house as a base.

He outgrew the house and in 2023, opened Vinyl Shakedown Records which has gone from strength to strength and is now in it's second location locally. 

Iain and Grant talk about opening a record shop and the details, time and effort that goes into it and also dip into Grant's own record collection discussing favourite records, grails and what's on Grants own want list. 

Welcome to The Record Collectors Club Conversations Podcast.

A new podcast series that centres around the vinyl record collecting and music world and focuses on conversations with record collectors, record shops, artists, bands and music obsessives all over the world.

On the first episode of The Record Collectors Club Conversations Podcast, host Iain Wakefield is joined by Johnny Marr and James super fan, Laura Dean from Warrington. 

Laura is a music fan, gig goer and writes regularly for a number of music publications online sharing her thoughts and reviews on live music gigs and new album releases. 

She has followed Johnny Marr and James around both the UK and recently the world seeing them play their incredible music to live audiences. We chat about her obsession with both artists, touch on her favourite records by them and discuss music and vinyl in general also.