Tell us a little bit about yourself! I’m Tony Giles; I work for Lakeshore Records (Stranger Things, Drive, Saw, The Walking Dead) where I handle the international distribution, vinyl production + the web-shop. I’m also the guy behind The Damn Fine Network which is a podcast network dedicated to film music, pop culture and more. Home to the soundtrack podcast The Damn Fine Cast (available on iTunes). I recently turned 40, which means I’ve been collecting records for just over 35 years, which makes me feel old! As far as music tastes go I’ve always said a ‘good song is a good song regardless of genre’. I stand by that but can usually be found listening to film scores or black metal.

 Favorite album: An impossible question to answer as it can change from day to day. As E.T.R release soundtracks and that’s the area I work in I’ll narrow it down to some of my favourite film music releases: Under The Skin – Mica Levi, Drive – Cliff Martinez, Halloween – John Carpenter, Blow Out – Pino Donaggio, Blade Runner – Vangelis and L’Aldila (The Beyond) – Fabio Frizzi. Even that list took some time to compile!

First album: Honestly it was probably a hand me down compilation that I’ve well and truly forgotten about. The first album I really remember falling in love with was Michael Jackson’s Thriller. To this day its still one of my favourite albums. 

Favorite Enjoy The Ride or Enjoy The Toons release: This is an easy one! Hands down my favourite release has been the Batman Arkham Knight score. As a huge Batman fan and a gamer this had me salivating at the release. I even managed to score a test press of the album at Mondo-Con a few years back.

Favorite album artwork: Artwork is one of the most vital parts in an albums lure for me. I can be a fan of something and not spin it that often because I’m not really into the artwork. I’m sure that sounds silly but it also works the other way too where I will pick up records I’m not a huge fan of just because the artwork is excellent. There is a lot of amazing album art out there but I guess for me my favourite album artwork is probably Darkthrone – Transylvanian Hunger. Released in 1994 and still remaining the quintessential imagery for the black metal genre.

 What are your favorite record shops in your area, in case any readers are traveling through your town? Sadly I live in a very small town that only has one chain record store, a branch of HMV. As time has progressed their selections have certainly improved but I probably wouldn’t recommend anyone pay a visit unless you’re looking for standard top 40 chart releases or legacy titles. I will say that for an online store Two Headed Dog over in the U.S are great on selection and shipping which in this day and age is something to be mindful of. That’s where most of my records come from.

 What have you been listening to more frequently lately? Lately I’ve been jamming the Witchboardalbum It’s Been Emotional which is kind of like cinematic instrumental 80s goth. Netherstormby Vargrav is pretty high up on the playlist too. I’m also currently working on the latest Cliff Martinez film score which will be out very soon, that’s a pretty incredible listen.

What are some of your favorite albums you have in your collection? Man this is tough! It’s hard to pick favourites but I guess both of my original L’Aldila (The Beyond) by Fabio Frizzi on Beat Records are high up there. A newly acquired first press of Mayhem’s Deathcrush and anything my wife has bought me, those would certainly be favourites. You can see some of my collection on Instagram if you’re interested - @therecordcollector

 Any specific albums you wish you had on vinyl? I've been thinking on this and almost everything I want is rare so it’s usually a case of saving up for a certain press. Both the soundtrack and black metal world are highly collectable so first presses tend to be quite pricey.

What album would you like to be pressed on vinyl? I’d love someone to release Nude Per L’Assassino (Strip Nude For Your Killer) by Carlo Rustichelli.

Did you snag any albums from Record Store Day 2018? I did! I hosted a special RSD episode of The Damn Fine Cast which featured; Porno Sonic from ETR, The Omega Man from Silva Screen, Planet Terror from Varese Sarabande, Communion from Burning Witches, Ganja & Hess from Strange Disc & Spielt Mozart from One Way Static. I also grabbed the Led Zeppelin 7” and a repress of Celtic Frost’s Tragic Serenades 12’ thanks to my buddy Josh.

If you were on a desert island and you could only fit three records safely in your suitcase which ones would you take with you? Prince And The New Power Generation – O-|-> (Symbol) – Warner Bros; The Class Of Nuke ‘Em High – Various – Ship To Shore Phono Co; Slayer – Raining Blood – Def Jam