We here at Tone Deaf love nothing more than reporting on everything that is music, however sometimes there might be a little bit too much focus on just the artists, and the myriad of work that goes on behind closed doors is forgotten. Remember record stores? For many (including us) record stores have always been a place of education, worship, and community – so to celebrate these great spaces each fortnight we’re reaching out to shine a much deserved spotlight some of our favourite indie record stores.
We recently caught up with Chris Sammut, owner of beloved record store and Newtown staple Repressed Records. Opening back in 2002, Repressed has forged a reputation as the home of Australian independent music, specialising in DIY, punk, alternative, and “whatever is good that deserves to be heard”.
As champions of the local music scene, Repressed Records recently banded together with the good folks at Vivid LIVE to curate an awesome night of local music at the Sydney Opera House, featuring Royal Headache, Blank Realm, Exhaustion & Kris Wanders, Superstar, Snake & Friends, and Monica Brooks.
Ahead of this eagerly anticipated night of music, Tone Deaf caught up with Chris to discuss what it’s like own one of Sydney’s most loved record stores, what it’s like to stay independents, and what the future of music retail looks like.
The Birth Of The Vivid Show
Nic (Warnock) who works here put on a show last year under his label RIP Society. They wanted another night of Australian music and felt the shop had a broad enough scope to put on another good night. It was a sweet surprise and great to get some recognition and puts a real spring in your step.
We wanted to ensure the bands were representative of what the shop was about. It’s about independent music, not genres. We didn’t want a night of purely punk or garage and we wanted bands who would feel comfortable and sound good in a space like that too. Something of a showcase of what the store is about.
The Lineup
All those inter-state bands have contributed greatly to the identity of the store and putting us in the position to put on a show like this. We wanted to get as many people we’ve dealt with and helped the store survive and thrive involved in the night. Royal Headache are our best selling band, but someone like Al (playing as Snake) is in Total Control, Dick Diver, Lower Plenty and they’re major part of the stores identity too.
Aarght Records put out Exhaustion and Bedroom Suck Records put out Superstar and Blank Realm and they’ve been dealing with us for years. We’re looking at the night as a communal celebration of a thriving independent scene and I’d really love for these bands to reach beyond a certain circle and I think Vivid offers a platform to do that. Not for mainstream recognition, just for more genuine music fans to get excited about music and to see things are happening at a grass roots level and it doesn’t have to have some grose marketing campaign behind it. The music can speak for itself.
I think the bands are genuinely excited. We’re not putting them in an awkward situation here, it’s a night to share with their peers and community and enjoy themselves. Hopefully some new people will come along and find it as energizing as I do. We’re taking great care to make the bands feel comfortable, relaxed and enjoy the night and Vivid have been really supportive. The bands deserve to be there, they’ve created something people relate too. Have two beers to take the edge off and embrace the day!
The Birth Of Repressed
I started it in Penrith, 2002. I bought the stock off Beatdisc Penrith and changed the name. To be honest, I was pretty naive and didn’t know what I was doing but it was a better opportunity than anything else I had going for me and music was all I cared about. I didn’t really care what the music retail landscape was like at the time to be honest!
It was mainly a 2nd hand music store, but I’d always had an idea of creating something more in the mould of the Waterfront’s of my youth or Red Eye. I[include_post id=”445742″]didn’t really think about it the time as a risk, which it was. I was 32 and thought “yeah, why not hey.” Then JB opened, downloading started and there’s a limit to how niche you can be in Penrith. We moved to Newtown in 2008 and I’ve felt more at home here business wise. I’m a westie and would have loved the shop to succeed out in the ‘burbs, but now I know why I didn’t have many friends in my teens! I remember dragging people to shows and them having hands over their ears. Suck shit for making me do the Nutbush at Parradise nightclub!
The vinyl thing just happened organically here and we’ve found more and more bands now releasing stuff on vinyl. I’m not really sure why vinyl has been so good here, but I’d guess it’s because of that counter-cultural lineage back through the history of music and independent culture. When I opened the gatefold of Sonic Youth “Daydream Nation” or Stooges “Funhouse” and you think “woaah’ and it’s like some cooler alien universe you wanted to be part of. I don’t think any streaming service has created the algorithm to replicate that as yet.
Repressed’s Key To Longevity
Definitely stay in touch with what’s going on. Be involved in your local scene. Stock local bands and work with people who are keen and put on shows and put out music. Young people are excited about music. You want a certain energy around in a retail environment. Give people a sense of discovery and rattle their cages a bit.
Key Moments and Relationships
Nic’s been with us ten years. He got the job because he came in with a Stooges t-shirt at 17. Now he’s got a label (R.I.P Society) and is in half the bands in Sydney. His network is a crucial part of the store. So many things get done in the scene because Nic drives it along.
I really like the guys in Royal Headache and in most bands and people who make music that come here. I feel they’re all in it for good reasons and I enjoy championing them. I feel like its a cause worth fighting for and a continuation of how bands have developed naturally in the past that’s being totally ignored by people after quick money. Tim Rogers bought a book on death metal here once. That was cool.
I enjoy talking to people at stores like Pete at Beatdisc or Tom at Blackwire. I don’t see the point sitting around talking nonsense and in riddles and you can keep it real with them. Molly Meldrum is a Melbourne Storm supporter like me so I’d imagine it would be an event to go to the footy with him if anyone can make that happen.
A Day In The Life Of Repressed
Coffee, computer, talking music, looking for new music and suppliers, complaining, social media, cleaning, emails, 2nd hand vinyl and CD queries, re-hydrating.
Proudest Moments
Probably when we first moved to Newtown was a good moment. It was big leap toward achieving what I wanted in establishing the store as genuine go to store. Watching some of the bands like Royal Headache and Holy Soul involved with the shop grow and get a fan base. Putting out the Damo Suzuki and Holy soul CD. Building something slowly with our own money on our own terms has meant a lot to me too. We do everything ourselves, from making the racks to purchasing the stock and doing accounts and I think the shop has taken steps forward at every opportunity. It’s a very punk / D.I.Y story really.
Working with other bands and labels to get to this stage to have a show at Vivid is amazing too. I think it shows you can still build from the ground up to create something larger that excites people.
Biggest Lessons
Don’t be a cry baby and get on with it. Listen to lots of punk music. Don’t do something you’re not comfortable with. Ignoring something won’t make it go away. Don’t let other people tell you how things should be done. Business coaches and “mentors” are a terrible, terrible investment. Keep learning and moving forward and don’t be content cos that’ll be the death of you.
The Future Of Indie Record Stores
Pretty positive. It’s always going to be tough, but I guess look at why you’re doing something in the first place. I feel this is the best and most honest path for music to make its mark and adds to a fairer musical landscape. I don’t want to sit at my computer and have Facebook or Apple recommend music for me and marketing campaigns bombarding me.
I want stuff I can relate to and I want to meet like minded people. A record store is a good filter in a goddamn musical jungle. If it’s left solely to the big guys you’ll be left with music with no personality, no edge and nothing to say.
Repressed Records is located at 413 King Street, Newtown, Sydney for more info visit www.repressedrecords.com.
Repressed Records X VIVID Live
23 May 2015, 7pm
Royal Headache
Blank Realm
Exhaustion & Kris Wanders
Superstar
Snake & Friends
Monica Brooks
Tickets and info at www.vividlive.com
