Amanda and I met on Instagram as many people tend to these days, I was intrigued by her bio which states all the vinyl things she’s involved in and then says, “…basically I sell records” and she isn’t kidding.  I love that her story into vinyl starts with her Dad and that she’s carrying on that passion for vinyl.

In her free time which there isn’t much of she, like myself, still spends with records going to shops, or taking small trips to visit friends “...so I can hit a record store on the way.” She also tries to support the local music scene, attending shows. Read more about Amanda below and say ‘Hi!” if you make it to any of the things she’s involved in.

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

My father ran a popular record store in Valley Stream, NY specializing in Rock. More specifically, rare and Import Punk and Metal LP’s. Opening in 1982 and closing when I was 18 in 2008. Slipped Disc Records hosted MANY bands throughout that time, doing in-store signings with bands like Slayer, Metallica, Motorhead, Wasp, Ratt and so much more. I was raised in a record store and more or less bred for music retail. I learned how to write, writing receipts, and do math, behind a register. Since Slipped Disc Records closed in 2008, my father has been running Vinyl Revolution Record Shows in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. And besides organizing and running his own shows, he also sets up and sells Slipped Disc stock and merchandise at record shows all over the New York and New England area. I always loved being a part of the record show community and getting to know record dealers and collectors from all over the world.

What is a day in the life like?

It’s pretty simple for me, although sometimes I’m up at 4am, traveling for hours, unpacking 40-some odd boxes from a van and setting them up strategically on tables and standing there for 8-10 hours selling records, packing it up, going home and doing it all again the next weekend. I also am lucky enough to have a place to call home the other 5 days a week, in a store, in my own backyard. Where I can go to work and hang out with the ‘regulars’. I’ll put in special orders for customers while I’m ordering reissues for the store, all of that. It really is a no pressure, good time at a small store like Needle & Groove. I absolutely LOVED my job at Generation Records in the city but it was a lot of work and a lot of travel, which with the record shows I was already doing. So I like being in a small store, in a small town.

What has been your favorite / the coolest thing you’ve worked on?

That’s a tough of a question for me. All of the in-stores that I was lucky enough to work at Slipped Disc Records, like Zakk Wylde and Twisted Sister. But in all honesty, the coolest and most accomplished I’ve ever felt was helping run the Richard Hell in-store at Generation Records on Black Friday 2018 and the orders, and processing of stock for Record Store Day there the following April. It was the biggest event if ever been apart of and probably the most hours I’ve ever worked in a week. BUT It was as awesome and rewarding as it was stressful and overwhelming.

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

The most difficult part is probably the physical labor. Moving and lifting boxes and tables. I’m not biggest or strongest guy I’m the room. But it’s also one of my favorite things to do, I enjoy pushing myself as far as I can possibly go. If you tell me “You can’t lift that.” Now I have to try. Once, I hear someone say I “shouldn’t”…now, I’ll die trying.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you’re doing?

There’s a lot of ways to pursue a career in vinyl. But over the years, I’ve learned it’s just about getting to know people. Get to know the people working at your local record stores, dealers at record shows in your area, other collectors. Sooner or later, you’ll hear about a position that opened in SOMETHING. Whether it’s working a day a week at a small store, a management position at a big a store, sales, purchasing, selling online, at shows, for a distributor or label. The opportunities are out there. I realized people just kind of fall into positions over time. Just put the work in, and more work always seems to find you.

I do collect vinyl myself. I didn’t always though, I started right after Slipped Disc closed and I think it was initially just for nostalgia. Coming across a record I used to listen to as a kid, or a record jacket with cover art I always loved, but never got around to listening to, I’d buy that. Then I started collecting records that my grandparents loved. Then it quickly snowballed. And now, I “need” everything.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you’re excited or worried about? i.e. innovation, or trends you’re seeing.

There are alot of things happening in the industry. Every day there is some new release or reissue to get excited about. But that’s also what scares me.

Tell me what you’re currently listening to?

My favorite genre is Rock. From the 50’s all the way through the 90’s. I was raised on older metal and punk bands. So all of my father’s favorite bands wound up being my favorites as well. The Stooges, Motorhead, T.Rex, Bad Brains, New York Dolls, MC5, Judas Priest, I could go on forever.

Find Amanda:

Instagram: @wearesmelly

Facebook: @Amanda.Schutzman.SDR

Needle And Groove Records:

Instagram: @needleandgrooverecords

Facebook: @needleandgrooverecords

Website: www.needleandgrooverecords.com/

Vinyl Revolution Record Show:

Instagram: @vinylrevolutionrecordshow

Facebook: @VinylRevolutionRecordShow

Website: www.vinylrevolutionrecordshow.com/