Nostalgia and novelty behind the comeback of the cassette tape
Cassette company says young people are rediscovering tapes
Just like vinyl made a comeback, it turns out some music lovers are getting nostalgic for cassette tapes. An audio cassette company says business is booming.
The National Audio Company in Springfield, Missouri is making more audio cassette tapes than it ever has before.
"What's kept us in business is stubbornness and stupidity," president Steve Stepp told CBC Saskatchewan's Blue Sky.
Stepp said they are on track to make 12 to 13 million audio cassettes this year. Last year, they made the popular Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack for Disney. But the resurgence started about six years ago.
He said cassette tapes are a novelty for those under 35, who are used to digital music.
For those who remember cassettes, it's the nostalgia of holding a cassette in your hands.
Saskatchewan musician Zachary Lucky released his album Saskatchewan on cassette tape.
His latest album, Zachary Lucky sings Copper Kettle and Dublin Blues, has just 300 recordings on vinyl.
"I think things like cassettes and vinyl are a little more tangible and little bit more personal," he told CBC. "There's this archaic way of experiencing music."
On Friday, listeners shared a bit of cassette tape nostalgia on twitter with @BlueSkyCBC.
<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCSask">@CBCSask</a> Metallica - Ride the Lightning. Ran that through my walkman until the tape was all stretched and almost unlistenable!
—@VA5LF<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCSask">@CBCSask</a> i was five. in love. i was going to marry her. asked santa for her and got the cassette instead <a href="http://t.co/6Kk7g45LvB">pic.twitter.com/6Kk7g45LvB</a>
—@haggard_dad<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCSask">@CBCSask</a> My first tape was Toto's AFRICA album. I have been volunteering in Africa for 7 yrs now. I wonder if that was the root?
—@ShellyYXE<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> One birthday I got 3 cassettes (which was a HUGE deal): Wilson Phillips, KrissKross and Vanilla Ice. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOembarrassing?src=hash">#SOembarrassing</a>
—@AbbyCBC<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCSask">@CBCSask</a> My first cassette was 'Dare To Be Stupid' by Weird Al Yankivic I bought at Woolco on Boxing Day 1986
—@billmcminn<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCSask">@CBCSask</a> My first cassette was Juice by Juice Newton. My sister got Pat Benatar. Yes she's got better taste.
—@RentTheseSpaces<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCSask">@CBCSask</a> Shaun Cassidy was my first circa 1978 He's still pretty good looking at 50+
—@esherryzerr<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> My first tape was C & C Music Factory. We would play it at the local rink & skate to Everybody Dance Now over & over & over...
—@MarblyAnnie<a href="https://twitter.com/BlueSkyCBC">@BlueSkyCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCSask">@CBCSask</a> besides a cassette of my kids voices I have a Dolly Parton Christmas tape that still makes me smile!
—@askmommafran