SHELAY
VINYL: A Place Of Our Own by Have Mercy
Hello everyone! Meet Shelay aka Hello, Shelay from Philadelphia, PA currently residing in Paulsboro, NJ. Shelay studied photography for 2 years at Antonella Institute where she discovered her love for modeling and has recently considered pursuing alternative modeling. She also has a Youtube channel where her videos range from hair, beauty, fashion and music like her record collection that can also be seen on on her Instagram.
“Some of my favorite artists to listen to recently have been Yung Gravy, Roy Blair, Joji, and Oliver Tree.”
Please make sure you check out and subscribe to her YouTube channel Hello, Shelay and read more about her interests and taste in music and records below!
Social Media: IG @helloshelay
Top 5 Favorite Records and songs:
I’ll pick one song from each album!
A Place Of Our Own - Have Mercy •Song: The Place You Love
She’s So Unusual - Cyndi Lauper •Song: Money Changes Everything
Nirvana MTV Unplugged In New York •Song: The Man Who Saved The World Cover
Copacetic - Knuckle Puck •Song: Pretense
The 1975 - The 1975 •Song: Robbers
Favorite Genres:
Alternative, Pop Punk, Whatever Joji is considered, and a little bit or rap.
Favorite Record Shop(s):
I mostly buy my records online or at concerts, so I don’t really have a favorite shop I go to.
What made you start collecting records?
There was a girl on YouTube who would always show her record collection and I thought it was awesome, plus I always loved music and old school things. So on my 19th birthday I asked for a record player and started collecting. I mostly buy them now for collection purposes, but every once in a while I do love to just sit and listen to my records for hours.
What is the first record you’ve bought?
I bought 2! Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged and The 1975’s self titled album.
What are the most recent records you’ve added to your record collection?
I got Paramore’s Riot album when I went to their concert last year, MCR’s Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge was given to me as a gift, and Man Overboards’s self titled album from their end of hiatus tour.
What records are you looking to add next?
I’ve always wanted to own the Perks of Being a Wallflower & Juno soundtracks. As well as Roy Blair’s Cat Heaven whenever he decided to release it on vinyl lol.
How many records do you think you have in total without counting?
I think about.... 20-ish, maybe a little more.
How do you organize your record collection?
I have them standing up against a wall, in order of oldest in the back, newest in the front, until I can get a proper rack for them.
What is a day of crate digging like?
I’ve only ever gone a handful of times. It’s always different. It’s really exciting at first bc you just hope to find something good, but after searching for a while it can be disappointing when your leave empty handed. That’s probably why I prefer to buy them online.
How does music make you feel?
This is gonna sound super cliche but I believe music was my true first love. I can’t even put into words how music makes me feel. Music is everything to me. There’s nothing better to me than blasting your favorite songs and singing along. Music has helped me in ways I feel like no person could.
How important is music and having records apart of your life?
Having music in my life is very important to me. No matter what mood I’m in or what’s going on in my life, music has always been the one thing to pick me back up. I honestly don’t know who I would be without music. Music is the best way I’ve found for me to cope with my social anxiety. If you ever see me out in public, 9 times out of 10, I’ll have earphones in.
Why do you believe women’s music taste is vital?
I think women music taste is vital because I feel like the music industry is still very much male dominated. I think it’s important that women give our opinion and have just as big of a voice and an influence in the music scene as men do.
What advice do you have for other women who want to start collecting records?
Just start collecting. Don’t listen to all the record snobs who think they know everything. Your collection is YOURS, it’s for YOU, and no one else. The more you collect and do your own research, the more you’ll learn.
