From: I hail from Minneapolis by way of the DMV.
Favorite musicians: Patrice Rusen, Lalah Hathaway, The Entire Winans Family (including Vickie), Joe Sample, Kirk Whalum, We Are King, Isaac Hayes, Nicholas Payton, Aaliyah, Kelis, Kathleen Battle, Denyce Graves, Rahsaan Patterson, Tall Black Guy, Wintley Phipps… I prefer not to play favorites, listing these to give a general idea.
Different times require different sounds! The best artists are always unique & really uncomparable. I already regret forgetting someone.
Q&A:
If you had to pick one album that feels like it was composed specifically for your soul, what would it be?
Not sure I can pick ONE record. I have strong phases of hyperfixation that can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. Certain albums are expertly sequenced & well conceptualized..
I think different phases of my life come to be personified by different works. Esperzanza’s self-titled album feels like my idealistic high school years. Her D+ Evolution project captures the mania of my senior year of college. Sandwiched in there is We are King and Chargeux.
At a recent job, I found myself listening to a lot of Commissioned.. Looking back, I only wish I left earlier.
When did your vinyl collecting journey begin and what ignited your love for vinyl?
My vinyl collecting journey began in 2020, shortly before the pandemic happened. At a listening party in Brooklyn, instead of buying a t-shirt, I figured vinyl would be a better way to support one of my favorite independent artists, Madison McFerrin. Months passed and that one record was solitary on my huge bookshelf.
Only after visiting my Aunt and seeing the records she’d kept in storage suddenly on display (with a new turntable) did the bug really set in. Playing her records and hearing the quality of older vinyl gave me an ease about collecting, which helped me skip the OCD plastic cover phase. Unfortunately, I did get stuck in the spinbase one though!
Where’s your favorite place to crate dig and what makes that place special to you?
I would say Joint Custody in Washington, DC has good mojo for me. Consistently found some of the most niche records there.. Especially in the bottom crates.
The store has a chill vibe. The employees there aren’t catty, and the music selection is actually diverse.
What’s your earliest memory of music?
Likely hearing my Dad singing, he was in a college a cappella group and has strong Baptist roots. He can turn anything into a song!
What’s your favorite album art of all time and what makes it stand out to you?
No way for me to choose. I’m a painter as well and barely believe in having a favorite color lol.
What records have been on heavy rotation for you lately?
Gadabout Season by Brandee Younger, Essential Phyllis Hyman, and TRIUNE by Nicholas Payton, Esperanza Spalding, and Karriem Riggins.
What are your thoughts on Record Store Day (RSD)?
I detached from RSD pretty early on in my collecting journey. As a multi-hyphonate with many creative pursuits, I get a similar dopamine rush buying merino yarn or metallic watercolors. I’m not gonna take up valuable bookshelf space for records I barely like.. Even if they come in pretty colors.
Do you have any tips or advice for fellow vinyl collectors?
I don’t think I have to say check out the dollar bin, but pretend I did. My best advice would be to explore a wide range of artists and genres. Find the LPs BEFORE they get sampled! Really use vinyl collection as a pathway to expand one’s palate.
Also, consider building smaller collections centered around one genre or artist. There is no need to have every disc. An intentionally curated set of vinyl in a living room or communal space is very chic.
***Hope you enjoyed getting to know Wilford’s Way and her collection as much as we did! Be sure to follow her on IG and TikTok @wilfordsway for more of her wisdom and music curation! DM us @soultaurean if you want to be featured next!
