Now living in Portugal, the DJ told The Portugal News that his journey as a DJ began when he was just 5 or 6 years old. “I remember setting up my own “shows” with my dad's Grundig gramophone, spinning his records and experimenting with different sounds.” In his late teens, DJing as a student at private parties, music quickly became more than a passion. As he grew older, he moved into the professional scene, DJing at clubs and bars and, as a DJ and emcee, performed at large-scale events like festivals, gala dinners, weddings, and private events in Europe and across Southeast Asia, where he lived for 12 years.

DJ Carl Hinds said that the transition to being a professional DJ felt natural, almost like an extension of his home-grown love for music. Now living in Lisbon, he has found “a fresh audience eager to experience his mix of sounds.” From intimate gatherings along the Costa Caparica coastline to his own curated events, Lisbon has given him a new space to share his lifelong love of vinyl.


The Portugal News (TPN): Why did you choose to only use vinyl records in your work?

Carl Hinds (CH): I chose vinyl because it's the medium I feel most comfortable with and truly connected to. When CDs and digital formats started gaining popularity, I gave them a try. I still use them for certain events, and while they have incredible benefits, vinyl has always held a unique place in my heart. Just like AI coexists with us in daily life, digital tools coexist in the DJ world—but for me, nothing quite captures the same feeling as vinyl. In Portugal, where there's a strong appreciation for artistry and authenticity, people really value the nostalgia and warmth that vinyl brings to an event. There's something special about setting up my turntable and pulling out a record, almost like inviting people into a part of my world. Vinyl makes each performance feel like a personal connection, and it's that engagement that I love the most.


TPN: How important is vinyl to the music industry?

CH: To me, vinyl holds a unique and vital place in the music industry. In a world dominated by digital streaming, vinyl offers something digital music can't—a physical, tangible connection to sound. As both a DJ and a music lover and collector, I see vinyl as a full experience, from the album artwork to the act of placing a record on the turntable and even the subtle imperfections that give it a warmth and character like nothing else. Over the past decade, vinyl has seen a huge resurgence as more people around the world—including here in Portugal—are drawn to this immersive way of experiencing music. Many artists release on vinyl to connect more deeply with their fans, and I believe this format helps preserve the art of music. Spinning vinyl brings a sense of authenticity and rawness to my performances that I just don't feel with digital formats. Vinyl keeps the music industry grounded in its roots, serving as a reminder of the craft behind every track and helping to keep that artistry alive in a world that’s constantly moving forward.


TPN: Why do you think people are gaining more interest in vinyl records?

CH: I think because it offers something real and timeless in our digital age. Younger buyers are discovering vinyl for the first time and are drawn to its physicality. It invites them to slow down and fully appreciate the music, which can be refreshing in a world where everything is instant and on demand. For older generations who never left vinyl, it's a way of holding onto the era when music was something you truly experienced, not just consumed. The sound quality is another big appeal: vinyl has a warmth and richness that's hard to replicate in digital formats. I see this first-hand in Lisbon, where both locals and international visitors are captivated by vinyl's unique sound at places like the vibrant flea market at Feira da Ladra, where digging through crates feels like uncovering hidden gems, much like when I used to explore my dad's collection. So, between nostalgic memories and new discoveries, people are craving that deeper, more personal connection to music that vinyl makes possible.


TPN: Do you think that this trend will carry on for much more time?

CH: Who knows what will happen in the future? But I do believe vinyl has stood the test of time and isn't going anywhere soon. It's still here, and I think it will keep growing as more people look for something tangible in an increasingly digital world. Vinyl gives music a physical presence, a way to interact with sound beyond just tapping a screen. That connection is powerful, and as long as people value that experience, I believe vinyl will continue to thrive.


TPN: Why do you have such a strong personal connection to vinyl?
CH: For me, each vinyl record is like a time capsule, a memory captured in sound. Every record in my collection has its own story, not just from the music but from when and where I bought it and who owned it before. Crate digging has introduced me to a whole community of vinyl enthusiasts around the world, from the UK to the USA, Southeast Asia, Europe, and here at home in Portugal. Often, I come across records with previous owners’ names scrawled on the labels or covers, and I wonder who they were, what inspired them, and what the music meant to them. It feels like they’re passing the baton to the next generation of listeners, keeping the music alive.

I've made it my tradition, too; every record I own is stamped with "DJ Carl Hinds" so that one day, someone else will see my name and feel that same connection. I like to think I'm doing my little part to preserve the culture of vinyl, leaving a small legacy in each groove. Vinyl isn't just about listening—it's about carrying forward a love that spans generations, creating a lineage of music lovers who cherish the art form.


If people want to have a vinyl experience with DJ Carl Hinds, may join The Hintur Club, an open-genre, vinyl-only event that combines different sounds in an intimate house-party atmosphere. The next event will be hosted in Lisbon on November 30th. Tickets may be purchased at https://www.djcarlhinds.com/Hintur_Club. For more information about The Hintur Club or to book a set with DJ Carl Hinds, visit www.djcarlhinds.com or email him at djcarlhinds@gmail.com.

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos