If you've seen my Twitter feed, you'll probably notice that I spend more time talking about music than I do about my own art. That's because, like a lot of creatives who work in a solitary environment, music is part of what inspires us and therefore somehow finds its way into what we actually produce.
A lot of abstract art is musical, and if you do abstraction for long enough, you might start to experience some form of synaesthesia, where a sound will trigger a sensation, and prompt you to use a certain colour or brush stroke. Kandinsky was a good example of a 'musical' painter, an artist who translates something intangible into imagery.
So of course, visiting a niche vinyl emporium, you get the best of both worlds. Effectively its an exhibition that's carefully curated; the cover art plus the music conveys the tastes and sensibilities of the owner. These non-generic stores are a very rare delight, and if you are a music enthusiast and have one in your town you should not only be a patron, you should let other people know about them - because they keep your town's musical heritage and culture alive.
Thanks to Nathan at Birmingham's Milque & Muhle.
