Record Store Day 2011

If you're reading this, you have an interest in music and the pleasures it brings to every day life. You likely understand that piracy is killing the music industry for both major labels and the small independents along with distributors, producers and of course our beloved record shops. Though there are arguments thrown around to justify piracy, these are merely used to make people feel better about stealing than genuine, well constructed arguments in favour of obtaining music for free. Don't get me wrong, I am among millions of others that have downloaded music illegally and I don't want this to be a hypocritical "holier than thou" post.

I want to talk about what record shops mean and most importantly, independent record shops.

As a youngster buying music in Medway, the choice of record shops was small and for independents, even smaller. We had an Our Price, a Virgin (later 2) and of course supermarkets. For independents, there were only really two stores that would go beyond the obvious and these of course were the independents, Sounds Perfect and Magic Discs. Though my experience with Magic Discs was a one off, it was an small store overflowing with rarities, imports, second hand records but notably, it stocked local bands. I remember being proud to walk into Magic Discs and converse at length with the owner about The Long Weekend whose 7" he had proudly displayed on the counter, a local Medway band who had a defined britpop sound.
Sounds Perfect was a relatively large store, for Chatham anyway but was again filled to the brim with back catalogues, T Shirts, music DVD's, instruments and posters. As my music tastes broadened, they were able to accommodate the records I was looking for and offer their insight into where to look next for fresh and exciting sounds.

Perhaps the most defining moment for me however was my first to Rough Trade East. Set in the heart of Old Street, Rough Trade East is a palace, heaven on earth to everyone that has ever picked up a CD and wondered what else sounds like it. It's rack after rack of exciting artists you've never heard of are as enticing as the next page of a book and the multiple listening stations mixed with brand new releases and similar artists provide a great opportunity to see what people who dictate listening patterns are really enthused by.
I think my first trip to Rough Trade East was an over £100 job as I was so swept away by the depth of knowledge of both the staff, the variety of new and rare releases and it's calm and inviting atmosphere. Despite being in the heart of "London cool", it has no snobbishness about it , there is no posturing, just a group of people passionate about what they listen to. Every trip back to RTE has been an expensive but worthwhile one and it also serves a damn good coffee.

One last tale for you courtesy of my experiences at Banquet Records in Kingston. As you know, summer 2008 I cam across a folk band called Mumford and Sons. After a quick trip to Banquet Records to pick up their debut EP on 10" (this makes me sound like a dick I know, I'm not much), the very kind staff offered me some recommendations based on who I was purchasing. We talked about Chess Club and their roster and the guy behind the counter thought I should also try the new Cherbourg EP. Accepting, I bought their 10" and 6 months later, they were headlining my very first club night.


I think my point is that independent record shops are full of people who truly care about music. They are not their to put sales experience on their cv and pay their way through college. An independent record shop is a place where only music matters and people are willing to share that love and passion for music with whoever is willing to listen. It is the physical embodiment of the music blogosphere. An independent record shop is a candy store for music lovers. To cut through all these painful metaphors, it is a thrilling and knowledgeable place.

Support your local record shop, ask them what they are listening to and I'm sure they'll name something you've not heard of. Buy music, revel in it's presentation and it's feel, know that you are offering not only fiscal support to EVERYONE involved in making that record but also see it as a way to say "thank you" for creating something that may possibly change your life.