Yoo Ji-sung, a feature editor who has documented popular culture for 13 years and a DJ and producer who explores music including house without constraints, presents Daegu's club, dance, and vinyl music scenes. Borrowing the perspective of this artist—who is both an observer and a participant on the stage—take a more intriguing look into Daegu's music.

People who buy records often speak of the "feel" of the hands, much like fishing. Since records are objects with distinct weight and form, the experience of physically touching or viewing them right where I live, within easy reach, is the perfect way to engage with this medium. I met people in Daegu who make, sell, and play music with records.

JAMES RECORD

At James Records, which opened in 2016, footage from the movie *Love, Actually*, in which a record store serves as a major backdrop, was playing. “It’s a name I’ve had in mind since I was young, dreaming of opening a record store. It was back when I used to record mixtapes and give them to friends, just writing ‘James Records’ on them.” From that moment on, James Records may have been a DIY label. The owner of Bar James Records has been running a label of the same name since 2020. “Originally, I planned to make just one album and stop, but after releasing my first one, I got ambitious.” Compilation album Lo-fi It primarily deals with genres such as style sounds, garage * , and shoegazing *** . It ended up being centered on artists from the Gyeongsang region by chance, the second compilation album

Music that embodies a rough and unrefined sound, short for 'low fidelity'

Rock music that originated in the United States and whose genre name is 'garage,' meaning a garage attached to a house.

*** One of the indie rock movements characterized by dreamy sound textures and the active use of effects, including distortion.

It ended up being mainly artists from the Gyeongsang region,

Second compilation album There was an intention.

There are such diverse bands in this region, and I want to introduce those teams.

For CEO Hwang Jae-won, a native of Daegu, the city serves as akin to a regional hub connecting the so-called "Machangjin"—currently Changwon—and various parts of Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk. Bar James Records could be described as its main base. "I brainwash people here," he says. "I play them little by little. When a test press release comes out, I play it non-stop." As a concert planner himself, some of the performances he organizes are held at Bar James Records. "Since they are bands I like, it doesn't feel like a waste even if they fail. It's the same with the albums released by the label." Albums by artists who performed on stages he personally curated are released through the label James Records. And that music is played at Bar James Records. This is the music ecosystem Hwang Jae-won has built centered in Daegu. "I think anyone can do this. It doesn't necessarily have to be grandiose. I hope many small-scale labels like this emerge. Along with that, the concert culture will also be revitalized."

A test vinyl produced before the official release of an album.

YOUNG RECORDS

Young Records is young, just like its name suggests. CEO Jung Kyu-young, who spent his youth in the 1990s, began seeking out records in earnest during a time when the genre was in decline. “Around 1994 or 1995, as record production ceased, a few small LP shops opened in downtown Daegu. Looking back, I think the people who opened those shops back then must have had faith in the enduring vitality of LPs.” Of course, his encounter with music began even earlier. “When I was in middle school, the place where I used to have tapes recorded was called Youngsori-sa, I think. If I wrote down the songs I liked, they would record them and turn them into tapes.” The ‘Young’ from Jung Kyu-young’s name and the ‘Young’ from Youngsori-sa became the name of the current record store. “About eight years ago, I visited an acquaintance’s shop that repaired vintage audio equipment, and my desire to collect suddenly flared up again.” The charm of the turntable—a device that was familiar yet unfamiliar—that he saw there became the new driving force behind his record collecting. With the thousands of records he had amassed as a private collector, he opened Young Records during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As record production ceased around 1994–1995

A few small LP shops have opened in downtown Daegu.

Come to think of it, I think the people who opened the store back then had faith in the vitality of LPs.

“Naturally, there is a lot of beat-heavy and groovy soul or funk. I also want to introduce genres like Madchester Sound or New Wave that somehow didn't receive much attention in Korea during their prime... I’ve liked rhythmic music since I was young.” At the entrance, Deuce’s

DAON

Daon is the name of a team formed by two DJs, Slowlife and Sol. “As we played music together, exchanging ideas, we realized we clicked well. There is a common ground somewhere in the middle of our respective fields.” Along with the team slogan “All The Good Things Come To Everyone,” which embodies the meaning of the pure Korean word Daon, they have also just announced the launch of Daon Radio, a mix platform they operate. “We wanted to create a community. We plan to introduce our record collection and host parties.” Aiming for a broad community, their “Good Thing” is closer to relationships and emotions than to music itself. “When I talk to people who proactively seek out music, I can truly feel their love. We want to introduce many friends like that.”

Actually, where you are doesn't matter. What matters is whether you are doing your own thing.

However, Daegu is where we met,

It certainly has the meaning of being a city like a starting point.

Since there are no right answers or royal roads in music, the time spent exploring and immersing oneself can become both a joy and a goal. In this way, Daon’s logo—drawn with curves rather than straight lines, flowing seamlessly rather than sharply connecting and disconnecting—embraces everyone with whom they form connections in the process. “I didn’t want gender to be visible either. If you look at the image in the logo, two people are facing each other. It signifies that everyone, regardless of nationality or background, comes together. Just like how strangers in a certain space connect in an instant through the music we play.” Daon does not insist on records, but they cherish them and play music on them. Like a record that rotates at a fixed speed and stays in one place while the needle endlessly advances, they aim to naturally convey empathy and pleasure at their own pace. “Actually, where you are doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you are doing what is yours. However, Daegu certainly holds significance as the city where we met, a starting point for us.” Recognition and love. These are the purpose and aspirations of Daon, the new persona created by two DJs who are also a real-life couple.

Illustration | Daegu turned into vinyl.

** External contributions to the Editorial Department are intended to provide a multifaceted perspective on local culture and industry and may differ from the views of the Editorial Department.

Yoo Ji-sung

Since 2009, he has worked as an editor for GQ Korea and as an associate editor for Playboy Korea . After starting his career as a freelance editor in 2018, he has created content primarily for various music-related platforms, including 'BUDXBEATS', 'Discogs', and 'Red Bull Music'. He is currently serving as a planning committee member for Naver Onstage and a selection committee member for the Korean Hip Hop Awards. Since the fall of 2022, he has been working as the editor-in-chief of Hypebeast Korea . P.S.: If you Google 'Jesse You', you can see him as a DJ and producer.