Peter Holsapple

Peter Holsapple is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer, best known as a founding member of the jangle-pop pioneers The dB’s. Emerging from the late-1970s New York power-pop scene, Holsapple’s melodic songwriting and sharp lyrics helped define the dB’s sound and influence generations of indie and alternative bands.

Beyond his work with the dB’s, he’s been a sought-after collaborator, performing and recording with R.E.M., Hootie & the Blowfish, and the Continental Drifters.

Peter recently released his first solo album in seven years, "The Face of 68", that showcases a revitalized rock-oriented sound. With a career spanning more than four decades, Holsapple remains a respected figure in American rock and roots music.

Peter sat down with us to talk music, mixtapes, and vinyl. 

Q&A

In a world of streaming and almost limitless titles available, why do you think people are going back to vinyl? In my opinion, people have realized how digital media exhausts their listening ability; they need the warmth of analog vinyl LPs for more pure audio. Plus I think they like to read the liner notes!

What's your favorite record store? The one I'm in at any given moment.

When you shop for records, do you make a plan or just ransack the stacks and hope for the best? I try to come with a plan in mind, but it's hard to resist going through every last bin in the place.

Tell us a story about each of the records you selected, and explain why they mean something to you.

1. The Millennium: Begin

I came late to this album, but it's a remarkable, expansive project headed up by the late Curt Boettcher. It ranks right up there with the Beach Boys' most interesting records, and it has not lost its lustre in the nearly sixty years it's been out.

2. Henry Mancini: Breakfast at Tiffany's Original Soundtrack

This is an album I've known since it was part of my mom's record collection. Everyone is familiar with "Moon River," but the rest of the record is full of fantastic tracks that feature greats like Shelly Manne, Laurindo Almeida and Toots Thielemans.

3. Martha Argerich: The Legend

Piano Concertos Martha Argerich is among the finest pianists of the 20th Century, and this collection is a great way to introduce her prowess to the uninitiated. Powerful, emotional renderings of Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Robert Schumann and Prokofiev.

4. Sierra Ferrell: Trail of Flowers

My favorite neotraditionalist country songwriter at the moment. Ms. Ferrell never comes off as anything less that wholly authentic, blending past and present in great songs like "Dollar Bill Bar" and "American Dreaming." A must-have.

5. Chuck Berry: ...Berry Is On Top

The third album by the true father of rock and roll, it's full of the songs that made Chuck Berry legendary, like "Johnny B. Goode," "Carol," and "Little Queenie." If you only own one Chuck record (and why would you only have just one?), this would be the candidate for you.

Q&A

When listening to records, what's your go-to beverage? Tap water! (Served in a glass far from the turntable and the album jacket.)

What is the most important album in your current collection? What is the weirdest? Rarest? Most important: my new solo album The Face of 68, of course!
Weirdest: the two copies of Having Fun with Elvis On Stage: A Talking Album Only
Rarest: probably the album my high school band with Mitch Easter and Chris Stamey made in 1972, Rittenhouse Square -- it goes for a king's ransom these days, but it's pretty dreadful, to be honest.

On a 10-scale how much of an audiophile are you really?: I give myself a two rating. I don't need pristine vinyl, just great songs.

Did you make mixtapes as a kid?: I made tapes when I was a teen in the 1970s, mainly to be able to play my 45s in my car. They were labeled, but I didn't bother with graphics. And I tried to only use 90-minute cassettes since the 120s were such thin tape.

What are some of your favorite music films or documentaries?

Documentaries:

A True Testimonial - The MC5 (still unreleased, unfortunately), Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill, Monterey Pop, Hail Hail Rock and Roll (Chuck Berry)

Films:

Almost Famous, Still Crazy

If your career had a soundtrack, what artists would be on it and why? Oh golly... Beatles, Beach Boys, Big Star, Judee Sill, NRBQ, Man, Can, Family, the Move, the Beths, Elliott Smith, The MC5, Bob Seger System, Stooges, Marshall Crenshaw, Roxy Music, Lou Christie, Slade, NY Dolls, Nic Jones, Fairport Convention, Free, Small Faces, the first Jeff Beck Group (with Ron Wood on bass), Velvet Underground, Glenn Gould, E. Power Biggs, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan... all had some influence on what and how I listen, and what I write as a songwriter.

Any genres of music that are a hard pass? Death metal, smooth jazz, smooth jazzy death metal...

Do you organize your records? If so, how?: Alphabetical by artist last name, band names minus the article. Various artists and soundtracks are generally a mess, though.

Any favorite record labels? Many. The yellow Epic label, the butterfly Elektra label, Ardent, SGC, La Louisianne, Phil-LA-of-Soul, A&M, Warner/Reprise in the 1970s...

Were you a member of the Columbia Record & Tape Club? Not Columbia, but I did join one that didn't ever require any purchases. They just sent you 12 albums, among which were 1+1+1=4 by Sir Douglas Quintet and the Haystacks Balboa album.

Besides vinyl or music, what else do you collect? Guitars, some photography.

What new albums or artists do you have in your current rotation that are flipping your lid right now? The Beths. Best thing to happen to my music listening in years. Expert in a Dying Field is one of the finest albums ever released.

Headphones or speakers?: Speakers! I'm fine with 'phones, but I'd rather crank speakers any day!

What was your first album (and how did you score it)? My parents gave me Meet the Beatles on my 8th birthday in 1964, after I'd seen them on the Ed Sullivan Show. Then I bought Bare Wires by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with my own saved money several years later.

Is there any specific person, place, or moment that minted your love of music? My mom with the car radio blasting on the way home from work; my big brother who gave me his stereo and Beach Boys albums when he went to college; my choir and band directors.

Let the Music Play

As part of our Vinyl Five series, we ask our esteemed participants to play their thoughtfully picked records on a premium turntable while sharing their thoughts and feelings.

The Victrola Automatic Turntable offers effortless vinyl listening with modern convenience. Featuring a fully automatic belt-driven system, it lets you play records at the touch of a button with no manual tonearm placement required. With built-in Bluetooth capability, you can stream music wirelessly to any compatible speaker, while its classic design and wood finish bring a stylish, vintage touch to any room.