After devastating fires swept through Los Angeles in January, many music enthusiasts found themselves mourning the loss of cherished vinyl collections.
In response to this tragic situation, Brian Clasby and his business partner Gavin Gottlich, who run the music consultancy firm Lunch Club Projects, initiated a heartfelt endeavor called “Project Re-issue.”
Clasby noted that when they heard stories of people who lost their entire collections, they felt compelled to act.
Working closely with their connections in the music industry, they began reaching out to record labels, asking for contributions to support those who had been affected.
To date, Project Re-issue has successfully gathered over 1,500 vinyl records from approximately two dozen labels.
These contributions range from large companies like Atlantic Records and Universal Music Group to indie labels such as Mexican Summer and Beggars Group.
Clasby described the donated collection as eclectic, featuring a diverse array of artists from the Stooges to Lizzo.
He emphasized the importance of partnering directly with labels rather than accepting individual donations, citing the need to ensure the vinyl was in good condition—most of it was new and still sealed.
“It was really selfless of them,” Clasby remarked, expressing gratitude for the music community’s generous response.
The original plan for Project Re-issue involved assembling vinyl care packages tailored to the personal tastes of fire survivors.
However, with the volume of donations received, Clasby and Gottlich decided to organize two pop-up events over the weekend, allowing survivors the chance to browse through the collection themselves.
The first pop-up took place at Clasby’s home in Westside Los Angeles, while the second was hosted at Vinyl Ceremony, a vinyl press plant in Pasadena.
Both events reached capacity quickly, highlighting the eagerness of the community to participate in this initiative.
One attendee, Scott Dudelson, experienced a profound loss when he lost over 8,000 records in the Palisades fire.
Dudelson began collecting vinyl during his college years, drawn to the affordability of records compared to CDs.
Over a span of 25 years, his collection flourished, though he managed to save around 450 records that were stored in boxes at the time of the fire.
Reflecting on his experience, he shared his mixed emotions, stating, “I lost everything, but I was really, really happy with what I saw that I grabbed.”
Since the fire, friends and fellow collectors have responded to Dudelson’s plight by sending him records.
At this weekend’s pop-up, he plans to bring some duplicates from his own collection to share with others while also seeking a few new additions for himself.
Dudelson highlighted the resilience and solidarity of the vinyl community, illustrating how initiatives like Project Re-issue serve as vital support.
Clasby echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the heart-wrenching stories they have encountered—many recounting how their collections were passed down through generations, only to be lost in the fires.
“For us, it was easy to step in and help,” Clasby remarked, underscoring their commitment to supporting fellow music lovers in their time of need.
Project Re-issue stands as a testament to the strength of community and the enduring power of music in the face of adversity.
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