Here we go!
Introduce yourself!
Name: John Westhaver
City/Town: Ottawa
Job: Cultural enlightenment ambassador....curator of Birdman
Sound (since 1991), Live music Promoter (Dirtbombs, Bellrays, Brant Bjork,
Atomic Bitchwax, Andre Williams and hundreds more over 20 years), Host of
“Friday Morning Cartunes” 93.1 FM, www.ckcufm.com in
Ottawa since 1988. , drummer in “the band whose name is a symbol” aka...
“TBWNIS” or “TBWNIAS” (punch any of it into google...we have 5 vinyl LP’s out
and at least 5 videos on either VIMEO or You Tube)
Maritime Vinyl (MV) - What do you collect? Vinyl; CD’s;
Cassettes; 8 tracks; bootlegs; music memorabilia; magazine; etc..
John Westhaver (JW) - Since the late 60’s I’ve been consumed
by wax....
MV - What is your favourite genre of music?
JW - Free Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, Prog and experimental
MV - How big is your collection?
JW - 5000 LPs give er’ take
MV - What is your preferred way of adding to your collection?
Shopping online? Flea Markets? Independent music stores? Etc… Any favourite
store or websites?
JW - I run the most eclectic store in the country (not my
opinion) I also buy a lot of stuff online but only new LP’s never used.......
MV - How do you store your collection? Shelves? Boxes? Your
attic?
JW - Shelves
MV - Does your significant other support your collection? Did
you have to convince him/her?
JW - She never says a word......
MV - What is on your “wish list” at the moment?
JW - A private press lp from 1974 by a German band called
Tortilla Flat....heard of it?
MV - Do you know any other collectors?
JW - I know everyone......just kidding, but sadly yes too many
people that are way more OCD than me....
MV - You own Birdman Sound (www.birdmansound.blogspot.ca) in
Ottawa, Ontario. On your profile it says that you have been selling music since
the 70’s. What is it like owning a record store in 2012 compared to the 70’s?
JW - The floor has become closer to the ceiling....as in the
overhead cost of “doing” business is ridiculous......and will only
increase.....!
MV - Are there a lot of vinyl collectors in Ottawa?
JW - ..........YES
MV - Do you find customers are looking more for new vinyl or
the vintage lps?
JW - Both
MV - Are the majority of your customers younger? University
students? Adults?
JW - No “kids” really that’s a myth.......Uni students some,
mostly
income earners . Average age
would be 40
MV - I understand you are coming to New Brunswick for the
Moncton record fair. Have you been here before?
JW - Not since the early 80’s when I was with Magic Forest
Music Store In Fredericton (where I grew up)
MV - Do you go to many record fairs in Ontario?
JW - We host a big one here twice a year.
Excellent record store! The selection is INCREDIBLE and well worth the visit. Much love and care is put into this business.
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