From a cozy queer- and trans-owned record shop in East Austin to the country’s largest record convention. Through conversations with Sunshine Vinyl’s June Bennion, Helix Sounds founder Thuy Phon, and Louisiana-based vendors Byron and Lisa Duncan of Rajun Sounds, this episode explores the joy, ritual, and community woven through record collecting.

Together, they share stories of discovery, nostalgia, connection, and the unexpected ways vinyl brings people together across identities, cultures, and generations. Plus, each guest offers a few record recommendations to spark your next musical rabbit hole.

Website and social media links

Sunshine Vinyl Website: https://sunshinevinyl.co/

Sunshine Vinyl IG: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinevinylatx/?hl=en

Helix Sounds Website: https://helixsounds.com/

Helix Sounds IG: https://www.instagram.com/helixsoundsla/?hl=en

Rajun Sounds: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085916772316&locale=ga_IE | Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RajunRecords?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&dd_referrer=#about

Austin Record Convention: https://www.austinrecords.com/index.php

Austin Record Convention IG: https://www.instagram.com/austinrecordconvention/?hl=en

Music Recommendations

Sunshine Vinyl:

• “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” by Roy Ayers
• “Pacific Ave” by Pearl and the Oysters
• “Moonshine” by Nightlands

Helix Sounds:

• Scenery by Ryo Fukui
• Howl’s Moving Castle soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi
• Princess Mononoke soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi
• Brasilian Skies by Masayoshi Takanaka
• Interstellar soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer
• Call Me By Your Name soundtrack composed by Sufjan Stevens
• My Neighbor Totoro soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi
• City Slicker by Ginger Root
• Green by Hiroshi Yoshimura

Rajun Sounds:

• Mumford & Sons
• Jamestown Revival
• Johnnyswim
• Needtobreathe
• Mighty Oaks
• Sons of the East
• The Revivalists
• “Texas Sun” by Leon Bridges

Episode Music Credits

Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay

Music by Audio Club from Pixabay

Music by Ciderlei Castro from Pixabay

Music by TokyoRifft from Pixabay