Meet J Drab

Today we’d like to introduce you to J Drab.  

J, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a lifelong music fan and musician, everything that I do has revolved around records. On a complete whim, I started buying records as cheap as I could find, just for myself. I slowly started finding records that I loved, but I would look into their value and realized I could sell some of them for a significant profit. After one particular haul, I just started deliberately seeking out deals with the intention of reselling for profit. So, I started an online record store called Psychic Static. That’s been in business on one platform or another since 2017. And because I was getting my hands on so many cool records, I had the idea that I must know musicians in my scene that would love to have a little listening party. Hence, the Vinyl & Vision podcast was started in September 2018. So, Psychic Static has evolved into a podcast production company as well as a record label, and it still functions as a record store. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Because of the way I inadvertently pivoted into record sales, at first, it was very smooth. I just stumbled into a fairly large number of great records that sold very quickly and for an incredible markup. I’ve been chasing that dragon ever since. Because I set my own hours for all of these projects, the only challenge is the one I put on myself. My biggest obstacle, I would have to say, is time. Just trying to manage all these facets of my company while still trying to be a good husband and father. I’ve learned recently how to manage better and not overdo it. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The podcast I’ve created and host is probably the most interesting portion of my company. I never thought I would do something like that, but it all came very organically through the record sales, and it really helped me tap back into my first love, music. When I first became a father, my family became my life. I gave up on being a musician and barely ever played any of my instruments, and I also really didn’t spend much time finding new music or going out to shows. Doing the podcast has revived all those aspects and reconnected me in more ways than ever. I’m currently working on and celebrating my 100th episode with a pretty amazing guest. Over these years, I’ve been able to speak with artists like Will Johnson (Centro-matic), Mike Watt (Minutemen, Stooges), Thalia Zedek (Come), Roger Miller (Mission of Burma), Matt Korvette (Pissed Jeans), Marissa Nadler and so many more. It’s really been an honor and privilege to spend some time with some of these influential people. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I have a hard time thinking of a favorite. Oddly, I feel very saddened to think I didn’t have a very good childhood. I came from a poor immigrant family, and things were tough. But one of the most important things that I got to do was travel to the country of my family’s origin (Bolivia) when I was 5. I was a little young, but the memories remain partially because I find it so important for people to travel and see very different demographics and landscapes. It really broadened my mind for the better, and I’m incredibly thankful for that. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.psychicstatic.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinyl_and_vision
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinylandvision
• Twitter: @PsychicStatic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd-jk6_jc7Yf2yxFswPtU5A 

Image Credits
Javi Merida