My Name's Joe - I'm the CEO

I grew up in the ’90s listening to a ton of hip-hop and alternative music, and spent a good chunk of my younger years absolutely abusing the BMG and Columbia House mail-order CD deals. If there’s still an active investigation into that, I’d prefer not to know. Lots of 2Pac, Biggie, Green Day, Oasis and MC Hammer (Don't hurt 'em).

By high school and college, I pivoted hard into classic rock/rock. Clapton, Dylan, Led Zeppelin, The White Stripes, Petty — that stuff became the foundation of my music taste, and honestly the foundation of what this shop is built around. My college roommate likes to remind me I listened to a lot of Jimmy Buffett which I prefer to forget. There was a strong Dave Matthews Band phase as well. 

As far as newer stuff goes, I’ve been really into Jack White, Jon Batiste, Geese, Johnny Blue Skies, Portugal the Man and Lola Young lately.

Ask me for recommendations and there’s a decent chance I’ll point you toward Tom Petty, defend Bob Dylan at all costs, or somehow connect the conversation back to classic rock. 

Favorite record in my collection? The one that just sold
Biggest ISO? There's a few Bob Dylan bootleg box sets I still need 
Most underrated album: If Cody Diekhoff AKA Chicago Farmer was born in 1941 Bob Dylan might have opened for him at Newport. Checkout his album Flyover Country and don't miss a chance to see him live. For fans of folk, americana, bluegrass, country, rockabilly and general good times. 
Best score you've ever found in the wild? In our first year as a shop we bought an OG Frank Ocean Blonde before I really knew who he was, 3 Beatles butcher covers and I also bought a collection with a copy of Pretty Lights, A Color Map of the Sun. We've never got as many good records as we did in our first year.  
When did I starting working here? Day 1
Favorite thing about working at Sold Out? Bringing my daughter in the shop and watching how much stuff she steals. Driving in on Record Store Day and seeing the line. Discovering new music, discovering old music, re-discovering music. 
Most controversial music opinion? DSOTM is overrated. 
Album I secretly love that people wouldn't expect? The Heist by Macklemore
Go-to music while working? Anything from 1960-1969

These picks below aren’t necessarily my favorite albums of all time or even what I’m currently listening to the most. This is more about the records I think a good record store just has to carry. The staples. The core albums. The stuff people should always be able to walk in and find.