Saturday, May 19, 2012

John Westhaver from Birdman Sound in Ottawa!

Got a short interview here! But still any interview is fun to post! Looks like John runs a great record store in Ottawa!

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.


















1 comment:

  1. 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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