In this video I’m talking about my upcoming trip to the Austin Record Convention in Austin, Texas—the biggest record convention/show in North America, running since 1981. I break down how the weekend works (dealer setup and early access on Friday, general admission on Saturday and Sunday) and why this show is basically the mecca for record collectors. I went for the first time last spring and it was honestly overwhelming at first—hundreds of dealers, tables and tables of records, CDs, and memorabilia—but I stayed from open to close and walked out with some real grails. This time I’m going in with a different mindset: I built a focused Discogs want list and I’m targeting specific titles instead of getting distracted. I’m hunting to fill out more of my Black Sabbath catalog (especially Master of Reality, Vol. 4, and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath), with an eye on Vertigo “spaceship” pressings because they can use the same metal plates as the expensive early copies. I’m also deep in a grunge kick, so I’m looking for original Soundgarden pressings—Louder Than Love, Badmotorfinger, and Superunknown—while being realistic about the crazy prices and considering the 2015/2016 remasters if originals are out of reach. I also share my biggest tip for buyers: talk to dealers, be friendly, and bundle multiple records to work a better deal. And like always, I shout out the vinyl community—because that support and camaraderie is a big part of why this hobby is so great.