Today we’d like to introduce you to Venice Vinyls. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Founded in 2015, Venice Vinyls started because of a passion for music that I shared with my partner, Allysha. Originally in Long Beach, California, it was a grassroots startup in pursuit of creative expression and the desire to make Venice Beach our everyday office. Allysha had previously been known on Venice Beach for Venice Henna, where she was the only female henna artist on the beach for 10+ years. I was a caregiver for children and elderly, as well as a Behavior Therapist, artist, and musician.
Venice Vinyls became a collaborative project. Each record is hand-cut into the face or silhouette of a well-known artist. It takes about four days to produce from start to finish. We have produced over 70+ unique records of movie and music celebrities alike. People really like them and usually buy several at a time, to memorialize their favorite artists.
On December 11, 2021, Allysha passed due to illness. Some of the records are legacy items that will never be produced again once they sell out. I have carried on with the business and regularly sell records at shows, fairs, pop-ups, festivals, concerts and soon-to-come online. Custom pieces are created on request.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We were trying to figure out a niche way to make money and wow our audience. We tried many different projects. Not all of them were successful. We tried painting and drawing on records, pouring glitter on canvas, and making other paintings. Some of them sold on Venice Beach, and for very cheap. Some days we would only make enough money for dinner that night at the nearby restaurant in Long Beach called Tasty Thai. We would have just enough money for egg rolls and noodles to share.
Other days, we would make enough money to be fancy, and go to our favorite restaurant, Big Catch, and get a seafood boil. It was at Big Catch that we would write on the paper table cover and have our business meeting. Allysha and I would dream up the new styles we wanted to make, decide which musicians to feature, and crunch the numbers. It was hard to keep up sometimes, and it was a lot of work to have enough inventory ready for each day. It was a big deal to be part of the art scene in Venice. We were sitting and talking to renowned artists every day, and really feeling a part of community. We were so honored to be among them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m repurposing scratched or warped records. Instead of going into the landfill, it hangs on the wall. I love the way this art connects people to each other across generations through the love of music. I also hope it inspires more creative people to think about upcycling materials and being more resource-conscious.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Since losing my partner in business and love, this work is very sentimental to me. From the making of the records to taking them to shows and selling them—it all feels like a tribute to Allysha. Sometimes I break into tears telling the stories. I am honored and supported when people listen and tell me to keep going, because like all artists, I sometimes doubt myself. It brings me such happiness when people express how much they love our art. I sign each piece “Raisha,” as an abbreviation for Raina and Allysha.
Most people follow me and order on Instagram and TikTok, and it’s great when people share pictures of records they like with their friends. I really want to keep collaborating with other artists, and exploring different mediums. Come say hi!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/venicevinyls
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/venicevinyls
