It is a rainy Sunday and I stand in a line with my dad, sister, and fellow music lovers at a very different but beloved Ear-X-Tacy. The line moves slowly and I feel like I am in a funeral procession, waiting to pass the casket of a lost best friend. The line is silent except for the occasional murmur from the crowd and the faint sound of Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row” being played through the store.
We finally reach the inside and there is a mutual sadness and closure throughout the procession. We stroll around, taking it all in. I make my way to the records, flipping through what is left. I soon spy John D. Timmons, the owner of the store. He is calm, greeting smiles, best wishes, and memories from various people about buying their first record in the store. He hugs some of his employees and kisses his wife, who is dressed in all black.
There is a cameraman from WHAS 11 walking around filming various people, including a staff member taking down a poster from the wall. “Hey! Put that back! Oh wait, it’s an employee,” jokes Timmons. He stands in the middle of his store doing an interview with the crew from WHAS 11. He talks about how his favorite section of the store was always the local artist section. He tells about how many people had come up to him crying about the closure.
Ear-X-Tacy has been a staple place to visit when coming to Louisville. Most of the people that live in the area have some sort of connection to the store. I bought my first two records there, and I said my goodbyes by buying more. Some people had a more musical connection to the store, having seen a band such as My Morning Jacket there and watching them grow and grow.
For me, Ear-X-Tacy has been a place for me to feel a connection to the Highland area in Louisville by being able to support a locally-owned business. What I loved about Ear-X-Tacy was its uniqueness. It was a relaxed place where people came to listen to music and buy their music. Every time I went in there and flipped through the records I felt like I was living back in the 60’s and 70’s when everything was a lot more simple. When flipping through records with my dad he would tell me stories about all of the records he had when he was my age and how he wished he had kept them. Ear-X-Tacy was a great place to go spend the day and get away from it all, surrounding myself with music.
As some final words, Timmons posted on the store Facebook page, “The record store experience has been the only child in my life. Now, it’s time for me to let it fly.”
Some people pair music with moods. Some pair clothes with events. But I like to pair music with clothes, letting the music inspire some of the outfits that I wear. Though music and clothes may not be closely related, they can inspire each other on days when picking out an outfit seems like a drag. Put that iPod on shuffle and check out my music inspired outfits:
1) “White Winter Hymnal” – Fleet Foxes
The outfit that I would pair with this song would be full of denim. Denim shorts or jeans with a button up shirt made of a denim material, a solid pastel, or a pastel checkered print. For shoes I would wear oxfords or any kind of Ked-inspired sneaker. Even a great pair of sandals would work. A cardigan can also be added or a sweater over the button up shirt for those colder months that are quickly approaching. For accessories, a fake pair of glasses (or a real pair if you wear glasses) and a few simple bracelets.
2) “Set You Free” – The Black Keys
This song would inspire a “night out” outfit. Pair dark skinny jeans with a leather jacket, wearing a plain white v-neck t-shirt or flannel button up underneath the jacket. For shoes, wear boots, or a pair of black oxford heels. For accessories, I would keep it simple with a ring, or some bangles.
3) “Cosmic Love” – Florence & The Machine
This would be the outfit to wear when feeling extra girly. Wear a floral dress, or a meshy flowing top with skinny jeans and flats. Another option would be a bigger, lose sweater and a solid colored pleated skirt. Wear this outfit with minimal jewelry, wearing only a watch or simple charm bracelet and small stud earrings.
4) “The Wolves (Act 1 & 2)” – Bon Iver
This song inspires my favorite look for the colder months, and it is all about comfort. I would wear a comfy pair of jeans with a v-neck shirt under a big, cozy sweater. Accessories are not needed with this outfit, but possible options are: small stud earrings, or a simple bracelet or necklace. For shoes I would wear converse, a pair of boots, or flats.
This time of year is the best time for layering outfits and trying new trends. It is certainly my favorite time of year to play up my wardrobe and there is no better way for me to do so than by getting inspired by some of my favorite music early in the morning.
