STACK #255 January 2026

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# 1 MY FIRST ALBUM

Which recent album do you currently have on repeat? Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal. What’s your all-time

The first album I ever purchased was The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits (1971 1975). I’d been given a ghetto blaster, which was a cassette player, for my birthday and this was the cassette I bought to play in it. I’m definitely showing my age in saying that CDs had not yet been invented... hence the cassette. Yes, I still have the album and have several versions of it, though, unfortunately, I never purchased it on vinyl at the time as I couldn’t afford it. It’s a beautiful collection of songs and incredibly well performed. I learned to play half of them in the first year of owning the album and still play some of them to this day. They have stood the test of time, impeccably. JAMES BLUNDELL

favourite album and why? I’d have to say A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders , Wu Tang Clan - 36 Chambers , Lauryn Hill - Miseducation or Nas - Illmatic . These to me are perfect albums from the production to the rhymes to the cover art to the impact and influence they had on the genre. Do you have a vinyl collection? If so, how did it begin, and expand? Yes! At 16 I decided I wanted to be a DJ so saved up for turntables and started building my record collection. My favourite store to shop at was known as the home of hip-hop in Sydney. As time went on, I was offered a job at the store and eventually took over for a number of years while also touring the country as a DJ, hosting my own radio show on FBi radio and doing guest spots on Triple J. I also went on record buying trips to Japan and Europe and was on plenty of promo lists being serviced by record labels. Safe to say, I’ve amassed quite the collection! What do you enjoy most about working in music at JB? Talking about music!

JANUARY

’ s ROVING REPORTER

ADAM STENLAKE Area manager

What’s an early, cherished music memory? Seeing Run DMC posters up on my friends older brother’s bedroom wall in ‘88 and being so intrigued and mesmerised by their look. He later played me the Tougher Than Leather album and it was game over. I was hooked.

Patience Win by James Blundell is out now via Ambition

In the hotseat this month is CHARLIE COLLINS, who released STACK ’S ‘Album of theYear’ in 2025.

STACK

Photo credit: Sean McDonald

Time (The Revelator) – Gillian Welch. Aside from yourself, which musician would you most like to be? Bruce Springsteen (the Boss). What’s the most ridiculous item you’ve ever put on your rider? Carrots. One time, someone spent hours cutting up three whole large bags of carrots, and I felt bad.

Your funeral song? Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash. Happiness is… Self-love.

What would be your Hard Quiz expert subject? Country music Song you wish you’d written? Crazy – Willie Nelson. If you weren’t a rock star, what would you be? A stylist. I love fashion and being creative with clothes and bringing out personality through what you wear. Last album you bought?

Five words to describe yourself: Loyal, introverted extrovert, empathetic, deep, bat-sh-t crazy (in the best way). Your all-time favourite album? Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska . What did your most memorable school report say? “She could talk underwater with marbles in her mouth” (Year 3).

Nightwriter by Charlie Collins is out now via Island

JB’s BONUS OFFERS

ÁSGEIR Julia

TELEVOVA THE WARNING

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*Please note that bonus offers are ONLY available online at www.jbhifi.com.au and only during the pre-order period. All offers are subject to availability, while stocks last.

18 JANUARY 2026

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