Vinyl Vault Entry #12: Introduction to Hocus Bogus Records with Lathe Cutter Bailey Moses

Bailey Moses showing some of her latest lathe work (yes, those are all playable records!)

For Bailey Moses, records are more than just a medium to listen to music, but a means for endless creative expression. With her lathe cut project, Hocus Bogus, she has made upcycled records out of VHS tapes, flowers, food, and just about anything you could imagine. We had a quick chat with Bailey on how she got started in the lathe community, and how she continually tests the limits of what a record can be.

Tell us about your lathe work. How did you get started and how has your work evolved over the years?

I got into lathes about 5 years ago when I met the lathe king, Mike Dixon. Most people in the vinyl community know Mike. I knew he had a little studio in town [in Tucson] so I reached out to see if he needed any help with things –– I figured I would be packing boxes or something simple. I showed up and the next thing I know he's showing me how to work these crazy machines. I've been in love with making records ever since. 

My work has definitely evolved over the years, especially during quarantine. I used to be into cutting as many records as possible for people, but  kind of got burnt out on that. Now my focus is more on limited releases and making the most bizarre things I can think of. 

It started when I made a lathe in the shape of an El Pato can back in July. I just thought it was the funniest thing ever –– even if no one else did. Not to mention I was bored out of my mind in quarantine! It was nice to make something for myself and not have to worry about reproducing it in mass quantities. It just kind of snowballed from there and reinvigorated my love for making records. 

I'm not really an audiophile –– which may be blasphemy for someone who makes their living off of vinyl –– so it's kind of funny to me that I'm making these monstrosities out of a medium that so many people take so seriously. My goal is to keep making weird things and testing the limits of what a record can be. 


Who are some bands you've released or made lathes for?

I recently just did a release for Cody Blanchard of Shannon and the Clams which was a really cool one! I'm currently working on some stuff for The Linda Lindas, Suzie True, and a few other folks that I can't reveal just yet (; I'm really trying to focus on making stuff for artists that I love! It's way more fun that way. 
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Your use of different mediums is really incredible! Tell us about some of the various objects that you've turned into records. 

Thank you! Trying to make random objects into records has become my new obsession. So far I've made records out of tortillas, VHS tapes, flowers, guitar picks, polaroids, etc. Sometimes I'll make stupid little behind the scene videos to accompany them, haha. 

One of my favorite lathes is actually one I made out of a painting of a record. I did a little painting of a 7" and then turned it into a real 7" –– I just think there's something cute and charming about it. I did something similar with my 3 year old niece as well. I told her to record a song and paint a picture of what she thought a record looked like –– which I then turned into a real record of course!
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​Any upcoming lathe projects on the horizon?

​I have a few collaborations coming up that I'm super excited about –– but can't talk about just yet (; 
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