Dvija Mehta

What got you into collecting records?
I’ve always been allured by archaic things and growing up I started listening to rock and had various music influences. Vinyl records seemed attractive to me because they were from an unknown era that i didn’t belong to. The mainstream music of my generation never really appealed to me and I found refuge in classic rock, punk rock, grunge, alternative, etc. Collecting vinyl was just a thought I had but a few summers ago I found myself at a book and music store in New York and saw my favourite album (AM - Arctic Monkeys) on vinyl. At that time I didn’t even have a turntable but I decided to buy a few records anyway and that’s how I started collecting records.

Is collecting vinyl an expensive hobby?
Compared to digital music, collecting vinyl can be expensive because in today’s time music is easily accessible on the internet and various other music apps. But if you look in the right places, you can always purchase records ranging from different prices.
Once you start collecting records there’s no going back, it becomes a hobby quite as easily as it entices you. It’s more of an investment and something you can store for a long period of time and even pass on.

Does music on vinyl sound better than any other format?
It definitely does, it’s raw and the clarity is unmatchable. Listening to music on vinyl is a mood and creates an aura.

How often do you listen to vinyl?
Almost everyday, I don’t think there has ever been a day that I don’t listen to a record. It’s part of an everyday routine, usually when the sun sets or when it’s time to unwind and relax.

How large is your vinyl collection and which is the most valuable record in your collection?
It’s close to 50 records and most of them are from the rock/alternative genre. Some of them are limited pressings and some are coloured pressings.
I couldn’t pick one even if my life depended on it, all of them are valuable to me but a few records stand out :
AM - Arctic Monkeys
In Utero - Nirvana
Cleopatra - The Lumineers
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Tell us about your turntable setup.
I own a Jensen JTA-230 that I bought a few years ago off Amazon. It’s a turntable for people who have been newly introduced to the concept of vinyl, I’ve been planning to upgrade and get a new turntable. On certain occasions I make use of my Denon sound system and connect my turntable to it but on a daily basis it’s just a record spinning on the turntable in the corner of my room.