Feature / One Question Interviews
Vassals

Words: Loren • October 17, 2017

Vassals
Vassals

Jonathan Smith (Vassals – drums)

SPB: What’s your preferred listening medium/in which order would you rank cd, vinyl, digital, cassette, (other?)?

Smith: Vinyl all the way! I’m really into ritual. I like the idea of looking through a library and choosing a record, having to physically drop the needle and be a part of the process. Not to mention the larger format makes for a nice canvas for the album art, credits, etc. Then you gotta flip the thing over. All of it sort-of keeps you involved at a higher level than just clicking on something in spotify or whatever and tuning out, so to speak. Also, I dig the warmth that is a result of the physical constraints from the medium.

Rated: #1 Vinyl, #2 digital and then throw out the rest. There’s no reason CDs should still be around. Same with tapes. Tapes are sorta cool if you don’t have the money to press records but want to be able to sell music at shows for cheap. But honestly, to me that’s just a gimmick -- no one is taking these things home and putting them in tape players (at least this kid isn’t).

Loren • October 17, 2017

Vassals
Vassals

Related features

The Sleights

One Question Interviews • August 18, 2026

Luke Blanton (The Sleights) SPB: Do you have any vinyl that you own strictly for collector’s purposes and never listen to? Blanton: I have never really bought a record specifically to collect it but I have bought a few records that ended up falling under that category. I was in … Read more

Dez Dare

One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • August 17, 2026

Dez Dare talk about his studio gear including the Knas Moisturizer and Death By Audio's Echo Master and Space Ensemble.  Read more

ELDP

One Question Interviews • August 14, 2026

Aemilia (ELDP) SPB: In your experience, what band has been the most fun to play with? Aemilia: Our most favourite band to have played with so far has been Dutch band All Dogs Go To Heaven. They're not only great people off stage, but they also make amazing music! When … Read more

Quattracenta

One Question Interviews • August 13, 2026

Sarah (Quattracenta) SPB: Which of your songs is the most difficult to play live? Sarah: “In Dust,” from our new record III. It’s not necessarily difficult in a technical sense, but because it is a very quiet and intimate song, playing it in a noisy club or bar can be … Read more

Illuminati

One Question Interviews • August 12, 2026

Joao (Illuminati) SPB: What inspired Illuminati to reform? Joao: The original lineup disbanded in 2004 after I migrated to the United States. We self-released a demo in 2003 that was intended to be a literal "demonstration" of our songs rather than a definitive statement of what we wanted to do … Read more

More from this section

The Sleights

One Question Interviews • August 18, 2026

Luke Blanton (The Sleights) SPB: Do you have any vinyl that you own strictly for collector’s purposes and never listen to? Blanton: I have never really bought a record specifically to collect it but I have bought a few records that ended up falling under that category. I was in … Read more

Dez Dare

One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • August 17, 2026

Dez Dare talk about his studio gear including the Knas Moisturizer and Death By Audio's Echo Master and Space Ensemble.  Read more

ELDP

One Question Interviews • August 14, 2026

Aemilia (ELDP) SPB: In your experience, what band has been the most fun to play with? Aemilia: Our most favourite band to have played with so far has been Dutch band All Dogs Go To Heaven. They're not only great people off stage, but they also make amazing music! When … Read more