From Beijing to the Turntables: RE: ANALOG's Journey in the World of Analog Sound

In the heart of Beijing‘s music scene, there exists a DJ and vinyl enthusiast who goes under the name of RE: ANALOG. With an infectious passion for the warm, analog sounds of vinyl records – RE: ANALOG he’s become a go-to for me during the week to get a boost of uplifting and refreshed sound for rare vinyl & classic ones and he showcases them beautifully on his YouTube channel.

Join us as we dive into the world of RE: ANALOG, exploring his journey through the grooves of vinyl, his love for music, and his unique perspective on the resurgent analog movement. From the streets of Beijing to the turntables – this interview offers a glimpse into the life and artistry of a DJ who is keeping the analog flame alive in a digital world.

You’re known for your deep passion for vinyl records. What initially sparked your
love for this medium of music, and how has it evolved over the years?

The initial seed of inspiration came when I watched “An Impossible Project”, a film directed by Jens Meurer, which planted the seed of this medium at that time. After that, along with my many years of work on the Internet (facing computers and numbers every day, without any real physical experience…), and due to the closure of the COVID-19, I slowly realized what I really wanted to do. I made the choice to leave my original industry and devote myself to mypassion in a kind of “analog” way.

Beijing is a city bustling with modernity. How do you think vinyl records, a medium that some might consider “old-fashioned,” fit into the contemporary music landscape?

The most direct point is that I live in this city, and I also use and listen to them in my daily life. Of course, we also go to cafes, bookstores, beaches and other places through some offline activities to integrate into them in a direct way. Locally, we also start from our own experience and try to use vinyl records to establish modern connections with life scenes such as clothing and daily items. So, it’s about creating a new brand. In addition, I think I can also quote a point of view mentioned in “無次元博客” produced by IPN, “Visuality and physicality have always been important components in the practice of music appreciation”, I think vinyl records provide It is natural to experience different, multidimensional experiences.

Can you share a memorable story behind one of your most cherished vinyl finds?
What made it so special?

A few months ago, I went to Seoul to dig for records and stumbled upon a record store at the “Dongmyo Flea Market” that had been run by a couple for more than four decades. Due to the language barrier, I described to the store manager the rhythm I wanted by “Da Da Da Da” and tapping the table. I heard a lot of sounds I hadn’t seen before. When I look back at them, I can remember the space, the store where I found them, the state of the conversation with the owner or the clerk, and the special sounds beyond the filter bubble. For example, a while back, I went to Kyoto, Japan, and at the Jet Set Records store there I found YUSAKU ARAI, a musician who lives in Kyoto. There’s not a lot of information about him on the Internet, and there’s not much listening on Spotify, but he made a great ambient album “a two” in 2023. It’s not even recorded on Discogs. It’s an amazing and unforgettable experience for me, it’s a special moment.

Many enthusiasts speak of the “hunt” for vinyl records. What drives you to sift
through crates and scour record stores for hidden gems?

One of the reasons it’s important now is that this is also part of RE: ANALOG, part of my job, part of my life, and I would want to do vinyl mix content that is different from some of the music scenes that I see now.

Your Instagram feed showcases not only your vinyl finds but also your impressive hi–fi setup. Can you tell us about the key components of your audio system and how they enhance your listening experience?

A pair of Pioneer DM–50D Active Monitor Speakers formed the corner. I used floor stands to

evenly distribute the speakers in the corner space to maximize my listening and Vinyl DJ experience.

What role does the physicality of vinyl records play in your connection to music,
compared to digital formats?

The physicality of vinyl records makes me feel “real”. When it comes to it, it can be compared to the existence of physical books and e–books in my life. In addition, in connection with music, when I use vinyl records to create when I have any ideas, I can spread them on the ground, on the cabinet, on the shelf, against the wall, and listen to them for a while or stop for a while, or you can pinch with your hands, you can grab and find any one from these places, and the associations they establish are cover, side A/B, which layer, how far away from you, clean or dirty, it has damage on the second last track, it was excavated and found in a certain time and space, it was recommended by a record store owner or clerk… All of this, I would say, is that it’s no longer about searching for something with a keyword, it’s not about viewing it with a playlist.

Beijing is a melting pot of cultures and music genres. How does this diversity
influence your record collection, and do you actively seek out records from different
cultural backgrounds?

At some point, I realized I had to go to a different city. I’ve also started making a series of videos called “CITY GUIDE @ RECORD STORE”. Yes, I want to go to different places to find records of different cultural backgrounds with practical actions.

In a world increasingly dominated by streaming services, what do you think vinyl records offer that cannot be replicated digitally?

It provides me with everything except “convenience and efficiency”, it is real and connected. Its visual and physical characteristics are irreplaceable.

Lastly, as a vinyl enthusiast in Beijing, how do you envision the future of the local
vinyl community, and what role do you hope to play in it?

When talking about the community, initially my idea came from existences like SCR (Seoul Community Radio) / TCR (Tokyo Community Radio) / SCR (Shanghai Community Radio) / CDCR (Chengdu Community Radio) and I started trying to do something. Actually, I didn’t think too much about the future. Because of the COVID–19 in the past few years, everything has been too uncertain. Currently, we are opening up the RE: ANALOG space locally and trying to invite different vinyl record enthusiasts and vinyl DJs to let the records flow. It was mostly driven by me, in fact I played all the roles in it, a record arranger, a host, an Excel person, a customer service person, a video creator, a practitioner, a person packing and shipping goods, a cleaner, or a graphic designer… I enjoy creating. I think right now, we’re in the stage of laying a solid foundation.

For this future community, it must be, where I am needed, I will be there.

Thank you for reading through the interview with RE: ANALOG and checking out his music through his channel. Make sure to hit the subscribe button on his page for upcoming uploads & the love for new music gems.