Sherry Younge is the owner of The Artform Studio in Highland Park, Los Angeles. A hairstylist and vinyl DJ, she's spent the last 20 years bringing together two of her passions: hair and records, to create a space where great music and great conversation go hand in hand.

Now celebrating its 20th year in business, The Artform Studio is home to nine hairstylists, several of whom are also members of the Artform vinyl DJ collective. Together, they've created an environment where clients can browse records, discover new sounds, and experience music as part of everyday life. The shop's collection reflects the tastes that inspire the team, with a focus on jazz, world, soul, hip hop, electronic music, and progressive rock.

Outside of work Sherry loves to keep active at Elements Dance Space in Pasadena with house and street dance classes, or work out at Rumble Boxing Gym.

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

I have been a hairstylist for almost 30 years and when I started our business my husband was a music producer and a vinyl DJ as well. He is our co-founder and a part of the Jazz is Dead label which we are the flagship store for. We both love era specific styles in fashion and music of the 60s and 70s.

Hair salons were closed during the pandemic and I became a part of our radio show. My radio show was based on LP cover art on my love of beauty and melody. Since I was not allowed to work as a hairstylist, I decided to take the Intro to DJ class at the Beat Junkies Institute of Sound. Now we host Wax Wednesdays Live on Mixcloud every last Wednesday of the month. Curating all vinyl DJs where we celebrate a type of national history month as we give light to non profit organizations in our community.

What is a day in the life like?

I am a mother of two creative artists who love to tap dance, breakdance, and produce media art. I take my younger one to take her classes while I may take a dance class or go to a workout class in the same studio. My older daughter has been a creative director and started producing her first short film where I have been currently supporting her as a hairstylist and production assistant. After a day in the salon with hair clients, I am DJing at our local bars and restaurants in the neighborhood.

Favorite sale / relationship made from behind the counter?

Just recently during Record Store Day, a DJ came in and found his uncle's album. When I buy records for our store, I always have have a rendition to Hair the musical. His uncle is Bertrand Castelli producer of Hair the musical. Hope to work with this DJ in the future and have him curate a vinyl set for our Wax Wednesdays.

In your opinion what has been the coolest thing to come through your shop / thing you had to keep / almost couldn't put out for sale:

I found Jet Magazines at the flea market. When we met Verdine White from Earth, Wind, and Fire he signed the one his band was in the front cover in the 70's.

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

Maintaining the financial goals of a record store. We are working on marketing music we love through social media platforms for more visibility. Just started live streaming on mixcloud for our Wax Wednesdays and it does take a village to produce our program. Started programing last year May and the most difficult part of it was my set up for audio and streaming. I do understand it more now, thankfully.

What has been the craziest experience that has happened at the shop?

During the pandemic, our salon started to open up again. Someone came in and was not well. She claimed that it was her record store and she was the police. She then hit me in the face and I was saved by my hairstylist who used a taser gun to protect us.

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

As hairstylists, we cut, layer, and blend haircuts. Same with playing records in a different form of art.

I love being a hairstylist and vinyl selector. We are in a community where we love to share music and fashion tips as a Hair Salon and Record Store. I have met barbers and hairstylists that were DJs too and I thought why not. As hairstylists, we cut, layer, and blend haircuts. Same with playing records in a different form of art.

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.

I see more people purchasing vinyl especially for the younger generation. My daughter who is 21 is now vinyl DJing with us because we now have reissues that we sell at Artform. I'm happy to be in a neighborhood that has record stores and places where records are still being played. I have been excited to open up vinyl DJs that spin for us monthly to keep our community growing.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself?  What drew you to it?

I started vinyl collecting in the pandemic when I joined our radio show programmed by my husband and business partner. Since I couldn't do hair, I was drawn to the record store my husband built. Since he has been busy producing music more, I took over the business and it's been so much fun for me and my team. I love seeing the album cover art and liner notes with the beauty of music that matches.

Who has been influential to you and your growth as a professional in this industry?

My community starting with the Beat Junkies Institute of Sound. Their Intro class starts with vinyl only. The master DJs were people I grew up seeing DJ in LA going to house parties in the 90s and dancing at their clubs playing music genres of Hip Hip, House, and R&B. The pioneers starting teaching classes and when I went to visit, it was a mouth dropping experience for me that we get to actually learn from them. They complied in courses what they have learned in the decades of being a DJ. They have opened up a world I didn't know I could be a part of. They have kids' and more women attending their classes. Very thankful for the culture they have built and inspiring our community to pursue a career in this industry.

Anything else you want to share? If not, tell us what you're listening to right now?

Right now I'm having fun with 90s hip hop as I'm playing lots of samples that came from Jazz and Funk music. I played some De La Soul and Funkadelic on my set for Record Store Day.