1. What is your name, where do you live, and what do you do for a living?

I'm Jarrett Koral, 17 years old from Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. While I'd like to say I'm from Detroit (it sounds a lot cooler!), I live in a suburb about 15 minutes to Detroit by car. For 'work', I own and operate my own little record company, Jett Plastic Recordings, out of my parents' basement. I've been interested in records for as long as I can remember, and it's wonderful to be able to share music with other people who trust my taste! I first started collecting and listening to Third Man Records in mid-2011, with an introduction to The White Stripes, and Jack White's music around 2009.

2. Do you remember when you first got into music?

Overall, the first band I was ever fascinated with was The Beatles. When my parents used to play the radio in the car, like any other young music lover, I would turn up 'Yellow Submarine' or 'Octopus' Garden'. The Beatles were sincerely one of a kind, and George has always been my favorite Beatle (sorry, Paul- you're a close second!). During my musical odyssey with The Beatles, I got into related music like The Beatles' solo careers and Harry Nilsson, who is, without a doubt, one of my top five singers of all time. Of course I was a casual music listener for the better part of ten years (remember here, I'm young!), but I first started getting into music journalism and discussing music around 2011, when Brian Smith of the Metro Times enlisted me to start a column for the paper called 'Teen-A-Rama', wherein I discussed new releases from a teenager's perspective. From being assigned to review an Alice Cooper album, I further dived into his music, which introduced me to a whole new genre. Not only was I still listening to The Beatles, but there was other music out there, too! I could listen to Queen, Led Zeppelin, and other classic rock greats, which brought me into the worlds of glam, punk rock, and other fantastic genres. I normally start with an artist and work my way through their entire back catalog-as I did with Alice Cooper prior to his 2012 release that I reviewed-which definitely shows their whole scope of musicality. I was introduced to Detroit rock 'n' roll music like The White Stripes, The Hentchmen, The Go, and others garage greats in 2009, and I was introduced to a lot more great bands and musicians through Third Man Records. It's been a great ride so far, and I don't see an end in sight!

3. What was your first vinyl record? How did you get it? Can you describe how you felt during your first dip into vinyl?

I was around six years old when I got my first vinyl records, being Paul McCartney/Wings' 'Band On The Run',and KISS' 'ALIVE!' My dad picked me up the records from a store, along with grabbing a gnarly old turntable so it wouldn't matter if it were ruined. I played those records to death (I actually spun the same copy of Band On The Run the other night and it still sounds stellar!), and they introduced me to vinyl records. I had no idea about the 'vinyl craze' or its collectibility until years later, but something just felt at home with the format. I remember playing vinyl when I was younger and having to replace the needle due to my shoving into the grooves- luckily, that's something I've been able to fix in recent years! Fast forward four years, I had amassed around 500-600 more vinyl records that I had picked up at stores, garage sales, curbsides, and other places. This required a new shelving unit being built, and now I have around 4,000 records. I can't say I've listened to them all, but I'm slowly making my way through them! There's something about vinyl, its warmness, and its immersive experience. Holding the album covers in my hands and reading over the lyrics---it's a special experience that no other format offers. Some say it's old school, but I truly believe it's the best way to listen to music. That's not saying that I don't listen to my iPod in the car or play CDs occassionally- it's just that vinyl is definitely my preferred format for listening to music!

4. What inspired you to join the Vault?

After working my way through Jack White's entire back catalog (White Stripes, Dead Weather, Raconteurs, and even more obscure projects like his appearances on The GO's 'Whatcha Doin' and The Hentchmen's 'Hentch-Forth'), I knew I needed more! I researched and bought all of the studio albums, but then I checked on Discogs where I saw that several live albums were released that I didn't know about! I immediately went to the Third Man store online and bought myself a platinum subscription. Through collector friends and sheer luck, I've been able to obtain every vault record except for the MONO version of Icky Thump (which is on everybody's list!) and the Raconteurs 'Live In London' double album. I still listen to every vault release, and I'm amazed at how far the Vault has come since Modlife! Those of you who've been here a while know what I'm talking about. The separate chat rooms for every band, the difficult to navigate menus...ahh, those were the days! With the creation of the new Vault and the Vault Novelties Store, I'm able to log on and check out the latest news quickly (without going to four different sites..thanks again, Modlife) and easily, and the updates by TMR staff members are terrific! The Vault was created to give access to never before heard music, and man, do they deliver! For my first vault package, I waited by the door for what seemed like forever (before tracking numbers were offered!), and I still maintain the same level of anticipation! Same goes for Vault announcements, my friends in school have no idea what I'm so excited about!

5. What is your favorite Vault release, and why?

I've been trying to avoid this question since it's difficult to pinpoint which Vault release has been my favorite, but I have to break it down to two Vaults. In no particular order, my two favorite vaults are Vault #13 (TWS, Live at The Gold Dollar) and Vault #5 (The Dead Weather 'Dream Child' package)! Firstly, the Gold Dollar package is one of my favorites due to its historical significance and my interest in the Detroit music scene in general. The 7" (the first EVER live White Stripes performance at an open mic night) remains one of my favorite things committed to vinyl, for the sheer fact that it was the first ever performance of one of the greatest bands of all time. The Stripes were wild and ferocious as ever on this recording, and it's one I can regularly play in any mood. The insert inside is a great bonus, too- it gives a glimpse into Detroit garage (the Gold Dollar schedule on the back is amazing) along with the first (and one of very few, if I'm mistaken) setlist from the band. It's historical significance alone plants it high on my list, not to mention the music! Nextly, the Dead Weather Live 'Sea of Cowards' package is one of my top two favorites. I listen to it all the time, and the DVD of the performance is also something I regularly play! I'm extremely excited for the new Dead Weather album and the prospect of hearing any new material soon, along with the fact that I absolutely loved both DW 'Dodge & Burn' singles in the past few vault packages. All of the above reasons point to this record as one of my favorite records I regularly play, along with one of my favorite vault releases.

6. What is your favorite Third Man memory?

So far, without a doubt, I would have to say Jack White's 2014 shows in Detroit. Getting in line a few hours early at the Fox was a unique experience, because I was able to talk to Third Man fans who I had known online, but have never known in person! I was able to meet with Kali Durga, Nicholas "Boat" Lynch, Daniel Kitching, and many other vault members that I actually got to know and be friends with through these shows! Our group of fans met at Polish Village Cafe in Hamtramck on the off day between the Fox Theatre and Masonic Temple shows, and we discussed the previous nights concert and our love of music. Third Man fans are definitely some of the nicest people on earth, and being able to be united by our love of Jack White's music was extraordinary! I was able to go to both concerts, and Jack's show at the Masonic Temple was definitely the best concert I've ever been to- and I'm not just saying that! When Jack brought out Alison and Dean from the Dead Weather, my heart nearly stopped. I can only imagine what people in the audience felt when The Raconteurs made a surprise appearance at Bridgestone Arena! Jack opened the show with three White Stripes classics (Fell In Love With A Girl, Astro, and The Big Three Killed My Baby), and when Jack launched into Astro, Nick Lynch and I (we were on the rail) just looked at each other, no words- we knew this was going to be an amazing show. I was also able to meet Jack White at this time, and that was definitely a highlight, since I've looked up to him and his music for so long. I hope that Jack plays live again soon (although he most definitely deserves a break after the extensive Lazaretto touring), and that I get to somehow see a live Dead Weather or Raconteurs show, and by some miracle, a live show by The White Stripes. I talk to people I met through the Third Man community daily, and I'm thankful that we're united by great music!

7. What are your interests outside of music?

Outside of music, I love to read (I'm a rabid Stephen King fan), write (journalism is one of my favorite hobbies), and research about history. I don't have a ton of free time during the school year, so I usually concentrate on schoolwork. I'll also have to decide on which college I'll be going to next year!

8. What is your favorite record you own, and why?

I have a few records that are my favorite collectibility wise, and a few that are my favorite records to listen to! I'll break them into the two categories!

Collectibles-

A few records really stand out here. One of which has to be my copy of the first White Stripes single, Let's Shake Hands, that's been signed by Jack White, Meg White, Jeff Meier (recorded the record), and Heather White (took the cover photo), all on separate occasions! I worked for a few years to get the record signed, and it's one of my favorite things I own, and one of the first things that I framed for my 'office'! Another would be my autographed copy of 'Elephant' by The White Stripes, and finally, my split-color copy of The Flat Duo Jets album 'Go Go Harlem Baby' that was reissued by Third Man a few years ago. Dex is one of my favorite musicians, and this album means a lot to me, particularly as being my introduction to his music!

Listening-

Recently, I've been listening to a lot of T. Rex. The Slider is a perfect album, and it's one of my favorites! I also listen to The GO a lot, with my two favorite albums by them being Howl On The Haunted Beat You Ride (released on Ben Blackwell's Cass Records, heavily recommended!) and Free Electricity, which is currently unreleased, but the LP can be found in bootleg form. I've also been listening to King Tuff a lot, and his 'Black Moon Spell' album last year was terrific. Other gems include Ty Segall's 'Manipulator' album, anything by Alice Cooper, Kenny Tudrick's self-titled album that was released in 2012, and my favorite 7" single of all time, Gino Parks' 'FIRE' b/w 'For This I Thank You' on Tamla/Motown Records, which was introduced to me by another Third Man Records fan!