Record Store Day: Interview with John Kennedy

How important is it to retain independent record shops?

It's crucial for these shops to survive and also get the support and recognition they deserve. Independent record shops played a vital role in my musical education. They are vital both online and in physical space to musicians and bands of all sorts of genres and have helped create and provide a platform for much of the music of the last 30 years.

What are you hoping to get hold of on Record Store Day?

There's a lot to choose from and it's interesting to see that even the major labels are getting in on the act providing some special releases. I must admit the prospect of an exclusive new track from Blur is going to get me hunting.

Do you usually buy from an online shop, a digital provider or a high street shop?

I'm from a generation brought up on using high street shops so I'm much more inclined to use them. I do buy things online but seriously miss the presence of Rough Trade in the West End.

If you had to list the benefits of vinyl over an mp3 release, what would be top of your list?

The main ones would be sound quality and artwork, the two combined give a more exciting experience.

What's your most treasured vinyl?

I don't really fetishise vinyl but there are an awful lot of pieces of it that I do treasure. Possibly the most treasured is an album by Sun Ra on Saturn Records which has this amazing track on it called 'Sleeping Beauty' which is one of my favourite tracks ever. It's not much to look at - a yellow label with a plain white sleeve with a hole in it so you can see the label, but I bought it from a member of the Arkestra when I saw them play with Sun Ra at the Mean Fiddler in Harlesden. I think it was in 1990.

I bought a t-shirt and a record that night and the whole memory of it is what makes it so treasured. I understand that some of these Saturn Records are pretty rare - it was Sun Ra's own private press label that they only sold at gigs or maybe mail order, but it's really treasured because I bought it from these extraordinary people themselves.