Resident, Brighton

1. When and where did you open your first shop?

Brighton, Kensington gardens, north laine, April 2004
 
2. Favourite artist or band?

Derry – The Clash / Sigur Ros /  Nick Cave

Nat – The Cure / Radiohead / Grizzly Bear
3. What makes your shop different?

The people who work here : There’s no record shop snobbery – just passionate, hard working music fans. We deliver quality, genuine, helpful service & always go out of our way to do so.

The product offer : We stock a huge amount of new releases & an extensive, ever changing back catalogue, at brilliant prices.

The look & feel of the shop : it’s clean, tidy, well merchandised, logically laid out & we have write ups on all the releases. Record shopping made engaging & easy.

4. Most days you have worked on the trot without a day off?

Never counted – would be too depressing but it was months when we opened, as we trade 7 days a week & there was just the 2 of us to start with.

5. Biggest selling album since you opened?

Bon Iver : For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar / 4ad)

6.The one LP record catalogue number you will always remember and what is it?

Too busy keeping up with the music to memorise catalogue numbers

7.Most memorable customer and why?

Local racing driver Nick Cave (see question 2)

8.Best and worst advice you have ever received?

Worst – Lloyds Bank when we asked for a start up loan “It’s all about downloads these days & the music industry is in decline so you shouldn’t be looking to open a record shop in these conditions. Have you considered a Market stall instead of a shop?”

Best – Always be a good boy, don’t ever play with guns

9.Your favourite magazine or website for music?

Was Plan B. Now it’s Pitchfork & Drowned In Sound online & Wire & Mojo mags

10.Best and worst day since you opened your shop?

Best – Record Store Day 2010 – what a buzz!!

Worst – Could say it’s whenever we have a power cut but the people of Brighton don’t let minor inconveniences like the cold & dark put them off. Some of them even seem to like it better.

11.Favourite sports team?
We live on blood. We are Sparta FC.