Seven Windsor record stores are the focus of a Record Store Day documentary screening
Windsor photographer and director Syx Langemann is hosting a free Record Store Day screening of his new docuseries ‘Spinning Stories’ that explores the recent resurgence in vinyl records.
The documentary showcases local record stores and collectors, highlighting their unique experiences and perspectives while emphasizing that record collecting is not just about the music, but also the social aspect of connecting with like-minded individuals and sharing memories through music.
“The documentary literally is because of Record Store Day,” Langemann explained.
“It's like Christmas morning and a Christmas movie on Christmas morning,” he said, referring to the excitement that comes with each year’s Record Store Day events.
“There's so much more to collecting and why people collect and then it kind of started and it's kind of like a tattoo habit, but it's essentially going to continue and the collection will continue and it keeps growing and growing and getting bigger and not necessarily organized, but it's there,” said Langemann.
Along with filmmaker Gavin Michael Booth, Langemann visits seven record stores across Windsor-Essex, including Dr. Disc, Galaxy Records, and Going Thru Vinyl Records, to name a few.
“I hit every record store we have,” Langemann said. “It's an eight-part documentary series. So each of them kind of gets their own highlight. The eighth episode kind of goes a little bit more into the record swaps, record store days, and events that kind of go on.”
Langemann continued, “There's a lot of newer, younger collectors and that was one of the things that I really wanted to make sure was also in the documentary. That it wasn't just a bunch of old guys listening to 1970s music. There's a lot of new music coming out. A lot of indie bands are actually producing vinyl and it's this amazing physical art form and some of the records, the actual physical record that you see, are just works of art.”
Going Thru Vinyl Records owner Jason Hoffer on April 19, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Langemann said Saturday’s free screening of the Bell Fibe TV 1 docuseries at the Capitol Theatre is his way of giving back to the local community, noting donations to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Windsor-Essex will be accepted at the door.
“It's really important to me to, in a way, give back to the community that gave me this documentary over the last couple of years. Not make them pay, have a nice kind of community event for it. And then if you do come in, the CMHA will be there to accept any donations in honour of Dave Hunter,” said Langemann. “We lost Dave hunter, a good friend of mine and also a record collector over the filming the documentary. So money essentially will hopefully then go to the CMHA.”
Langemann noted the screening starts at 1 p.m., allowing collectors and vinyl record enthusiasts time to visit their favourite stores in the morning.
“I think it's awesome,” said Going Thru Vinyl Records owner Jason Hoffer, who noted his Ottawa Street store opens early at 8 a.m. “Everybody's got their own way and reason for collecting records and they're not all the same. They may not even have a record player, but they want that as a token, like a t-shirt or something like that, a keychain of their favorite artists.”
Hoffer continued, “Music is universal. I think that there's a need right now for records because now that we're living in a time where there's so much blue screen, everybody works all day in front of a computer. Then at night they're watching movies on their computer. This is now a hobby that you can share with family members.”
“You have an album that you love, and it means something. It becomes a soundtrack to your life. And so when you listen to it, all these memories come rushing back and it creates conversation and you can kind of say to your son or daughter, ‘Hey, do you know what this song means to me, do you know what I was doing during this time,’ and that becomes awesome,” said Hoffer.
Liam O’Donnell, owner of Dr. Disc Records on Ouellette Avenue, said it’s amazing to have a documentary put a positive spin on the vinyl record industry and is grateful to have been included.
“It makes downtown a little more inviting,” O’Donnell said. “It's amazing because Syx, he's into it himself. So you know, having someone that's into the collecting and really loving it, to actually ask the questions and you know that he cares… It's really nice.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.