Get down to your local record store
A mine of possibilities, a million flames of inspiration and thousands of journeys waiting to be taken. The record shop. In the age of swirling seas of digital bits, media flooded with endless colours, flavours, textures, connections and language, there is tangible reassurance in the physical medium. Vinyl has a particular aesthetic that is again de rigueur. Retro, used, second-hand artefacts are desirable also. Once, record shops were “weird scenes inside the goldmine” to anxious trend-conscious teens, places to be feared and revered as the epicentre of aural culture. There was a thrill in that, a promise of challenge and enlightenment.
I have noticed small record stores appearing locally, I’m sure you have too. Before I’ve entered any of these shops I’ve felt the old familiar excitement, the respect and urgency for the material I’ve yet to hear, be informed about or buy. That feeling probably comes from a very distant and long forgotten mind set, when teenagers struggled to find the clothes, the hair, the friends and the music to express the way they felt. A time when identity was created and fashioned from vague glimpses of worlds/lives beyond the grey and mundane everyday existence. You could not buy (easily) these things, not like now.
Firstly there’s Hot Salvation in Folkestone. I’ve been a few times, bought a few items. Obviously, the fact that this is a very well-stocked, diverse store, run by a “label”, staffed by musicians and passionate audiophiles, is important. I could find 5 albums I “needed” to own within 10 mins in this shop. Talk to the staff, doors to strange and wonderful new adventures (often in places you thought you already knew) will open up. The knowledge and support at Hot Salvation is incredible. My memories of the shop itself are of watching Gang performing an acoustic set, smelling good coffee, talking to George, moving from exciting section title to exciting section title, knowing that whatever is playing on the turntable is good. This is a place where, with a couple of simple questions, you will be connected to your next new fav, a long forgotten opportunity or familiar old (musical) friend. I’d say, be brave, go, ask, buy. Last purchase from here when Kerry bought me Sweet Williams ep, a recommendation from George, couldn’t be happier.
Smugglers records must follow. Another “label” at the foundation of this shop in Deal. They have their own festival and a stable of strong and influential bands. The shop has a retro, rough-hewn feel, you can drink beer here. There is a good balance between new releases (on vinyl) and second hand, and a wide and diverse selection of genres. The staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I remember watching the singer from Syd Arthur performing an acoustic solo set to a full and appreciative audience. There is a folky, psychedelic feel to the whole place, to the culture and the people that support and surround it. Last purchase from here was Courtney Barnett’s album, which seems very apt and in keeping with the shop for some reason.
Transmission in Cliftonville is new. We walked past the door twice before we found it, as the frontage looks more like a portal into an exclusive 1970s ministry building. It’s a gallery, it’s a toy store and it is loaded with great vinyl. It is run by an ex Rough Trade manager (who now runs Mondo records and Death Waltz recording Co) and an Artist. It shows. The place is inviting and visually stunning and intriguing. The selection here was instantly for me. Within seconds I was calling to Kerry saying “have you seen this!” or “shall we get that?”. On the second visit I was hooked into the soundtrack section and spent much time deliberating which of the many I needed to buy (Moon soundtrack as a gift for Kerry). There’s coloured vinyl embedded in the floor and skate decks on the wall. Again the shop is run by knowledgeable people who are happy to help. Last purchase from Transmission (I think) was Warpaint’s last album (a Xmas gift to me from Kerry).
When out Xmas shopping in Canterbury I of course found the time to check out the newly opened Vinylstore Jr. It’s a smart looking shop, intimate and well organised. Very quickly a casual glance through the sections led to “oh they have this!” and “I should really get this”. The stock is vinyl only, very varied and cleverly offers you the best new releases, classics and slightly more obscure recordings. You will find something here. As I was browsing the guy behind the counter asked me what I thought of the music that was playing. It was music from a local artist. He began to chat about local music and the things that were happening…he didn’t know me. I think the guy’s name is Nick, he just seems to love music and know what he is talking about. I instantly loved the shop. They also have had in store live events (which I’ve unfortunately missed so far), but the ethos is definitely inclusive of local music and creative endeavours. Last purchase from here was a copy of Teenage Fanclub’s Banwagonesque.
These are my favourite four local independent record shops. There are others - Vinyl head in Ramsgate is a lovely coffee-shop/café that has used vinyl (they also do pop-up stalls at Ramsgate Musichall’s record store days). B side the C side in Herne Bay has new owners and is now a very well organised and well run shop, with a massive catalogue of used vinyl from 50s through to late 80s (90s vinyl is often scarce due to the digital revolution), plus they have a small but very decent selection of new releases. I know there is a new shop in Faversham called Creekside Vinyl that stocks new and used records, but I’m yet to visit.
Please support these shops. They are important cultural centres for many of us, they fuel and support local music and connect people.
