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Amber

@aekastar

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Texan 🤠
Tundra is the white tiger 🐯
Vinyl collector, I love Japanese pressings #3japanthursday
Dream comic art account: @aekastardreaams
Vegan 🥔🍚🥕🍵

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It’s been a long time again.. had many health issues after my last post on my bday back in May. 2 injuries, indigestion/bloating, a fainting episode, more allergies causing my face to be in pain, etc. I’m past the injuries at least.. the last being a sprained wrist last month after fainting while sitting down. Yes, apparently fainting while sitting can happen, I hadn’t fainted since middle school, so I was shocked😅
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Anyway. I’m back with a vinyl battle for #vinylbattlewednesday brought to us by the lovely @vinylwife
I have Paul Simon’s Still Crazy After All These Years (Japanese press w/obi 1979) vs Graceland (Japanese press w/obi 1986)
This one was difficult since both are great listens, but I was more familiar with Graceland as a whole. I first was recommended it by @yung_iso_ many years ago (like 2018 long time 😅). After listening I put the Japanese press on my wantlist. I wasn’t heavily into Japanese presses yet back then, but for some reason that press was appealing and finally got it after many years. The theme also appealed to me. I do enjoy world music occasionally and the South African musicians on the album brought a nice flare. There is controversy regarding this album, but I won’t go into that, not the space for it and doesn’t diminish my enjoyment.. the surprise import fees almost did if it hadn’t been a perfect copy. The album turned 40 last month. Anyway, Still Crazy After All These Years I didn’t hear in full till I picked it up a month or two ago. I only recognized the title track and the song 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover. It’s a pleasant listen, but not as exciting. I of course choose Graceland in this battle even if I’m glad to have both.
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So which do you choose? Would you like to hop on the bus Gus or call him Al? 🤔😂🎵✨
#vinylsecretsociety #vinylandgirl #marantz #paulsimon by @aekastar

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17 days ago

I’m kinda back for an update and the fact it’s my bday and I usually post on my bday. I’m showing the RSD records I picked up online and Tundra is wearing a party hat for my bday along with a random RSD shirt 🐯❤️ I got the floral shirt for my bday and wanted to look cute, but it took putting on this cardigan to look less boxy when sitting down 😅 Oh and the text and emojis in the photo are to hide the bad editing 😂😅
So the update is that this past while has been a really terrible time for me. I mentioned I had ingrown toenails and that would seem simple to resolve you’d think, but they just weren’t growing out. I then had a podiatrist trim them and put braces on each one. I thought this would be the moment of healing, but…. Not entirely. Now I have nerve pain. One nail also seems to have stopped growing on top of that or growing very very slowly. I have no idea how to resolve it (the podiatrist ignored my text) or when I can be back for good. I feel really bad this happened to me and stopped me from interacting here as much (I’ll try to catch up with everyone as much as I can).
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The records I got.. only the Coltrane I picked up a little later after I read reviews (I decided it would be mom’s gift to me for my bday). The others I got the morning after when leftovers were there — I only didn’t get the STP off my original list, but might still pick it up when I get enough Amazon gift cards (hah!):
Mark Lanegan - Bubblegum (original draft) A *
John Coltrane - France 1965 the complete concerts
En Vogue - EV3 A *
Ryuichi Sakamoto - end of Asia A *
The tears - here come the tears A+ *
Suede -coming up at the bbc B *
Mal Waldron - stardust & starlight
Porcupine Tree - We Lost The Skyline A *
Asterisks are the ones I listened to and the grading I gave it for quality is next to that
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What’s your fav RSD purchase from this year?
#marantzreceiver #rsd2026 #digestthedig #vinylandgirl #vinyljunkiesunite vinylsecretsociety vinylcollector vinylcollectionpost 33rpmclub lps vinyladdiction vinylcommunity instavinyl vinylcollection birthdaypost spintheblackcircle by @aekastar

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5 months ago

I’m finally doing #croonersunday brought to us by the cool @avinyladay_ 😎
Frank Sinatra - Sinatra & Company Japan press w/obi 1971
Tundra wears the top hat ‘cause I don’t own one and he even got out his best suit! 😎🐯🎩
This was a great listen when needing to chill which I definitely have been needing with this ongoing chronic ingrown nail issue — this is why I haven’t been around lately. I just couldn’t concentrate 😕 I still have the issue, but have moments where they’re more neutral, so yeah, I just didn’t want to leave my account idle for a decade waiting 😅
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Anyway, this album has a really cool vibe with Jobim in the mix. Even the song Bein’ Green isn’t cheesy though a surprise to hear! My favorite song is One Note Samba. The only issue is that on the cover where the track listing is (though conveniently I cropped the photo above where these tracks are 😅) they mix up Leaving On A Jet Plane and Lady Day. They’re written in the wrong order. I actually bought this album on a whim. I had been wanting a Sinatra so I could do this post and wasn’t seeing the typical Sinatra records shown in auctions, so I took a chance on this one due to the samba bit and am glad I did. I did read this was an odd overlooked album and the second half with the pop rock tracks doesn’t mesh with the bossa nova of the first, but to me it works, the vibe is similar in the way the songs are portrayed.
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Have you heard this album? Which is your fav track? Any Sinatra albums I should look out for next?
#franksinatra #digestthedig #marantzreceiver #vinylandgirl by @aekastar

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7 months ago

Happy International Women’s Day! 😎😁🐯💪✨
Robyn - Body Talk 2019 (still sealed — just showing this here to see if I should keep it that way or open, it inflated more in value since the last time I asked and hesitated 😅)
Joni Mitchell - Blue 2019 blue translucent vinyl (I elaborate below about this one 😅)
Carole King - Tapestry mofi 2025 (still sealed, will play soon, brought it out to remind myself)
Aimee Mann - Mental Illness 2017 pink vinyl (I finally kinda did your prompt you gave me last summer @espiesmyeyes — it took awhile to have some Aimee. I really like this one!)
Madonna - True Blue 1986 Japan w/obi and poster (got this from @jenna_vegas during her pre-bday whatnot show the other month, my first Japanese Madonna 😎💙✨)
Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough? 2017 (I never miss an opportunity to share this album, really love it ❤️)
Dido - No Angel 2025 red marbled vinyl (I had this out from the Valentine’s mix, so thought I’d show it again, great album)
Janis Ian - Between The Lines 1975 Japan w/obi (I got this as a giveaway win on whatnot last month and liked what I heard. The song At Seventeen is cool 😎)
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The photoshoot for this post was a bit of a disaster unfortunately though.
I scratched my Joni record 😅😬 I was trying to show the color yet already did a post on this album years ago, so wasn’t fully necessary. The sleeve with record was in the gatefold, got too heavy and fell off the shelf 😕 The song River which is my fav now has some clicks and pops throughout. Not enough to be completely ruined, but sad.
Anyway, I still am glad I did this post showcasing some great women in my collection, I know a challenge is going on this month, but I need a lot more representation to do a whole month.
What’s your fav album here? Tell me your IG photo setup disaster stories to make me feel better.
#internationalwomensday2026 #marantzreceiver #digestthedig #vinylcommunitypost #aimeemann robyn jonimitchell caroleking madonna liannelahavas dido janisian vinyljunkiesunite onmyturntable ontheturntable vinylcommunity vinylsecretsociety vinylcollector 33rpmclub japanesepressings obi coloredvinyl lps by @aekastar

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7 months ago

Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On 1985 Japan w/obi
Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder’s Original Musiquarium I 1982 Japan w/obi
Otis Redding - The Best Of Otis Redding 1975 Japan w/obi
#3japanthursday #blackhistorymonth #greatesthitsthursday
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I thought I’d at least do one post for Black History Month, especially since I got the Marvin Gaye album from @waxarcanarecords and @jenna_vegas recently. An essential and definitely relevant to how things are today in our world (just as it was back then) sadly as Jenna pointed out in her note to me. A beautiful yet sad listen. Difficult to pick fav songs, but Mercy Mercy Me is up top.
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Stevie Wonder I got last year, but never got around to listening so it seemed like a good time. I’m unsure if this is supposed to be a greatest hits, but it is a compilation. The cover is embossed which is cool. Most of the great songs he’s known for are on here. I prefer Stevie ballads so my fav side was the second side of the first disc.
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I’ve shown this Otis before which is a greatest hits comp. I’ll always love the song I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) ‘cause I first heard it when Tindersticks covered it on a cd single I had. I saw I’d need to buy a particular compilation to have the song on vinyl. Also on this Otis comp are These Arms Of Mine and Love Man which were in the Dirty Dancing movie and the second soundtrack I still need to get.
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Anyway, what do you think of these three? What would be your favorite song from each?
#marantzreceiver #digestthedig marvingaye steviewonder otisredding vinylcommunity vinylcollector vinylsecretsociety vinyloftheday ontheturntable vinyljunkiesunite 33rpmclub lps by @aekastar

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8 months ago

The Beatles - Norwegian Wood
The Get Up Kids - Valentine
Depeche Mode - Question Of Lust
Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels
Inxs - Never Tear Us Apart
Babybird - Back Together
Derek & The Dominos - Layla
Dido - Here With Me
Keith Sweat - Twisted
Mae - The Ocean
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I felt like making a Valentine’s mix 😊🐯💖🎵✨
Some songs weren’t on IG music so knowing all clips are short, I’m risking my own personal clips being played. Some I didn’t play at the good parts thinking I’d use their music, but ah well 😅😬
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Which songs are your fav here? I randomly chose them while flipping through my collection 😊❤️✨
#valentines2026 #thebeatles #thegetupkids depechemode tearsforfears inxs babybird derek&thedominos dido keithsweat mae emomusic onmyturntable #marantzreceiver #digestthedig vinylcommunity vinylsecretsociety vinyloftheday recordcollection vinylcollector vinylcollection by @aekastar

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8 months ago

I almost was going to skip #3japanthursday today ‘cause the last few days I’ve had two ingrown toenails I’m trying to fix and not getting enough sleep 😕
Well today I woke up wanting a distraction, so I worked on this post! I’ve not had time to relisten to the records so I’ll just base it off the last time I heard them months ago 😅
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I got LZ I and III from @waxarcanarecords and @jenna_vegas who are having another great show Friday on whatnot (it’ll be difficult to resist buying more😅😬)! I got LZ II from that one going out of business sale on the site Rare Records last year.
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I wish I had set the photo up better when I realized the LZ posters weren’t going to fit side by side.. I mean the LZ I poster is hanging off the shelf a bit 😅 I just was getting impatient and the sticky tack kept failing so I just quickly took the photo as is. I just wanted to show I had all 3 posters!
I hope to get other LZ albums that have posters, too. It’s why I don’t have LZ IV yet. I saw one Japanese pressing of it has a rare poster.. the Rock Age 7 obi with the star. I once spotted it, but it was purchased before I could get it and it was pricey 😅 That one was only in subpar condition though.. it had pinholes from being hung up at one point, but I still would’ve taken it eventually if not bought already, hahah.
Anyway I’m glad to have I-III for now. I’m sure if I relistened I’d have a different fav, but of these 3 I’d say I like LZ I since it has the song Babe I’m Gonna Leave You and that was one that stuck with me even if it’s technically a cover song. I tend to base my love of albums on one very strong song usually vs many decent songs 😅
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So which is your fav of these 3? Talking about all LZ albums would be too in depth 😂😅 Do you like getting posters with your albums even if you never hang them up (excluding if it’s for an IG photo 😂)?
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#ledzeppelinband #japanesepressing #marantzreceiver #bandposter vinyljunkiesunite vinylcommunity vinylcollectionpost vinylcollection vinyloftheday ontheturntable spintheblackcircle lps recordcollection 33rpmclub digestthedig vinylsecretsociety vinylcollector instavinyl obi labubu by @aekastar

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8 months ago

I’m back! For the art account, this is the first actual post in more than a year — the advent calendar reel only kinda counted since those weren’t full on dream comics and the dream sketches in stories barely count either 😅
As for the vinyl account I mostly took a break ‘cause I wasn’t a fan of how the algorithm has been this year and also I had been wanting to draw again. Making content for this account distracted me from actually getting started so maybe the algorithm frustration was a blessing in disguise 😅
Also please excuse me collabing this one, this turned into such a detailed one I felt everyone must have the chance to see it if the algorithm cooperates 😂😅
I’ll be back with more vinyl posts soon, I have a couple planned, but this comic took the whole couple weeks.
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This comic was done in procreate using 50+ LAYERS! 😲🤯
It’s based on a dream I had last year around the summer about a gymnast randomly having an event at the mall and a dream friend inviting me to go. I picture it as the gymnast doing a flip over a fountain 😂
The idea to include Woolworth’s in the background was from an image my mom found from a mall in Ohio I used to go to.. it was an old photo probably from the 80s. I used to love Woolworth’s and since I couldn’t remember what stores were in the background of the dream I chose that one.. the other is Express which is a cool clothing store 😎
Swipe to see closeups of all details!
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The Winter Olympics will be here on the 6th. What is your fav sport to watch? And have you ever seen an Olympian perform? I once saw Kristi Yamaguchi at the Galleria in Houston in the 90s ⛸️❄️🤸‍♂️✨
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#dreamjournal #dreamcomics #funnycomics #artistsupportartist #procreateartwork olympics gymnast artoftheday digitalart procreate malldream mallfountain by @aekastar

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8 months ago

It’s the first installment in the new year for my tag #3japanthursday this time showing my Cure albums!
Tundra Smith is back and he’s a bit jealous Rockette the labubu gets center stage with her Cure shirt while I wear mine as well. Compliment Tundra to make him feel better 😢🐯✨
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Japanese Whispers The Cure Singles Nov 82 Nov 83 Japan w/obi 1984
The Top Japan w/obi and poster (poster displayed with sticky tack in photo) 1984
Concert The Cure Live Japan w/obi 1984
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All 3 were released in 1984 coincidentally. Only one’s a full length. The reason I chose these 3 is that they’re the cheapest Japan Cure pressings. The Top was my top want though despite having a debate once with my cousin (no offense if you read this 😂😅) on how it’s apparently the worst Cure album. I disagree completely. For me this is my third most listened to Cure album honestly. So many good songs like Birdmad Girl which I made my theme song many years ago (“I should be a polar bear”). It’s a worthy Cure album and one I return to honestly more often nowadays than even my fav couple. I also got a great deal on this Japanese press. I’ll quickly tell the story. Last year I was watching this seller on fb (Wax Sabbath) and he had The Top. I asked if there was a poster. He praised me for knowing what I was talking about and said yes there is. I gave what I felt was a lowball offer of $150. He accepted it. After days I didn’t get a message to pay. I asked if I was forgotten about 😅 He said no, he got busy but he meant to say he found a warp on the vinyl and I don’t want that one so he’s waiting on a second copy. I said okay. After 2-3wks the second copy came in and he said due to it being VG+ and not NM (though had the poster) he’d offer it for only $50. I said yes right away 😲 It had a bit of noise between tracks and slight crackles on a quieter track, but overall it’s not bad when considering just a slight bit better and I would’ve paid a lot more!
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What is your fav Cure album? by @aekastar

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9 months ago

Blondie - Parallel Lines 1978 Japan
Journey - Escape 1981 Master Sound Japan
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My first listens of 2026! Each year I post my first listen of the year.. I was going to just do Journey, but with only a live version on IG I decided to just tack it onto the end. I just realized it’s Thursday and I could’ve done my tag today if I added one more, I keep forgetting what part of the week it is 🤦🏻‍♀️😅😂
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Anyway the message I wanted to give with Don’t Stop Believin’ was to believe I can heal from the last of my health issues and have a better year along with my mom healing from hers as well. I didn’t get much sleep when my stuffy nose decided to act up which isn’t a good start, but I’m hopeful ❤️
This song for awhile reminded me of the first season of Golden Bachelor when they went on a date to a diner and this song started playing, it was like a scene in a musical 🔥 It might not have worked out for that couple, but this song is still inspirational and I hope none of you stop believin’ for whatever you want to achieve
And as for Heart of Glass? Was just a fun listen 😁
HNY 2026 everyone! 🎆❤️🎵 What are your goals for the year? Any particular vinyl pressings you’re aiming for? 😊
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Oh and if any in the clip at the end sound tempting to you, let me know and we can work out a deal 😊❤️ Sorry to any whatnot sellers that some were giveaway wins, I have more too but didn’t want to make this reel super long, I’d give mega deals for the common records from those 😅✨
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#marantz #blondieband #journeyband #japanesepressing #digestthedig vinyljunkiesunite vinylcommunity vinylsecretsociety firstlisten spintheblackcircle vinyladdiction obi japan labubus digestthedig newyears2026 HNY2026 vinylcollection vinylcollector 33rpmclub recordcollection lps recordsforsale vinyloftheday instavinyl records vinyl vinyljunkies onmyturntable by @aekastar

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10 months ago

These are the records I got for Xmas!
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At the top are the two from my mom [ @kali__dee 😊]:
Def Leppard - High n Dry Japanese press white label promo (I always wanted a promo with the cool red rectangular thing in the corner proving it’s a promo 😂😁)
Oasis - (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Bloodrecs turquoise and yellow splatter pressing w/lenticular cover
The bottom shelves from left to right:
The Best Of Everything But The Girl [from my aunt @teabooksandsun ]— I added this one to my wishlist after @cervinus_music showed it in a post and was glad it was chosen 😁 I’ll be listening to this later today
Hem - Rabbit Songs 25th anniversary first time on vinyl [from my cousin @ritual_coffee ] — this one I had on cd for a long time. A great modern folk album
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard And Soft (Isolated Vocals) [from my aunt again… tbh this wasn’t high priority ‘cause I don’t have the full length album on vinyl to compare to yet 😅 I’ll have to stream it then listen to this. I had both on my wishlist ‘cause I liked what songs I heard from this album. Still nice to have for when I have both)
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I’m wearing my cherries sweatshirt and holding Nessy the labubu in her winter outfit.. I was glad I was able to do a short photoshoot yesterday and didn’t look that bad after wearing a Breathe Right strip on my nose for weeks, hahah! I’ll have one more photo for the new year I took as well. That’s about it. Which of these is your fav and what did you get vinyl wise for Xmas?
#marantz #vinyljunkiesunite #vinylandgirl #japanesepressing #digestthedig defleppard oasisband hemband folkmusic metal britpop billieeilish vinylcommunity xmasgifts lps vinylcollection vinylsecretsociety spintheblackcircle vinylcollector labubu by @aekastar

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10 months ago

I’ve not been feeling well, but slowly getting better. I’ve had bad allergies since March, but they took a worse turn last month out of nowhere. I had symptoms I never had before. Currently a week after working on this post, I’ve been taking my vitamins and am 80% better.. the stuffy nose improved and my cracked mouth is 99% better!
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Anyway this week’s installment of my tag #3japanthursday is on The Beatles comps.. green, red and blue! 😁💚❤️💙
Tundra and Hope Williams Brady (named after a character on Days of Our Lives) the labubu are dressed in their Beatles shirts. They, too, enjoyed listening to these!
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Not many probably knew there was a green one, right? I only knew last year after a whatnot seller had a copy. I found this one for a great price during an auction. It came with the partial cut out Beatles insert which is fun! The vinyl is green as well. It has all their early early recordings like the song Money. Unsure if all of these are cover songs or what, but they definitely are old, the quality goes in and out on some of these tracks, but it’s a fun listen 😊💚
The red Beatles is the only one I don’t have on colored vinyl.. mostly ‘cause I wanted that poster (as shown in the photo. And no, it wasn’t harmed.. I used sticky tack then carefully removed after the photo 😅😊) — I actually have two copies if you want the second.. it also has the poster. It got lost in the mail then randomly showed up for why there’s two. You can message me if interested and I’d give a good deal if you’re in the US.
As for the blue Beatles. I do enjoy this.. mostly more towards the end though. The more experimental Beatles had emerged 💙 I know most like blue best, but for me red is the winner.. all the great early tracks and my fav song ever Norwegian Wood is on it 😊❤️
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Which is your fav? I doubt many’ll pick green 😂😁✨
#thebeatles #vinyljunkiesunite #digestthedig #vinylsecretsociety by @aekastar

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10 months ago