In the 1970s, especially across North America, it wasn’t uncommon for married couples to pursue music as a hobby alongside everyday life — often leading them to form their own bands. In many cases, this resulted in a self-produced LP: released on a private label, pressed in tiny quantities, made with plenty of heart and a modest budget.

These records often feature obscure, sometimes delightfully oddball cover versions. Musically, they’re rarely top-shelf — but they more than make up for it with unmistakable DIY charm.

A perfect example: The Opposite — the husband-and-wife duo Jürgen and Gisela Pooch, who lived in Canada during the 1970s and recorded their own album with their friends. Naturally, the local francophone influence found its way in — and the result includes a wonderfully amateur but endearing version of Nino Ferrer’s Le Téléphone.

A private press gem: lovingly handmade, charmingly off-key, and somewhere between living room studio and time capsule.