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.
Located on Gertrude St in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Northside Records has been a staple of Melbourne’s music scene since 2002, establishing itself as the hub for all things funk, soul, and a variety of other styles “probably best described as ‘black music’”.
However, stepping inside this quirky-looking store, you immediately find that everyone is at home here, regardless of race, gender, or even taste. By catering to the true music fan inside everyone, Northside Records has become a Melbourne institution.
Tone Deaf recently caught up with Northside’s main man, Chris Gill, who took us behind the scenes and into the history of Melbourne’s home of soul and funk, exploring the importance it bears to the local music scene and what the future looks like for Northside and Aussie soul music.
Solving A Crime
Northside records was born in 2002. Soul music was a criminally underrepresented form of music in this town at the time. It is (was) my job to change that. Live music in Melbourne at the time was quite bad.
In terms of soul music there was The Bamboos and Cookin’ on 3 Burners – both Lance Ferguson thangs. That left a lot of room for others. I remember DJ nights were quite slim as well at the time. As funky good times were something that I believed in – we pushed and pushed and are still pushing to this day.
Staying Alive
Integrity is a good thing [and] obviously doing something you love helps with longevity. People know when you are giving them a good thing, you don’t have to shout it too loud. In terms of shouting, the record stores are shouting together with the DIGGIN MELBOURNE map.
It is a great way to say to the customer, if you can’t get what you want in my store then look no further that the rest of this great city. With over 50 independent stores, here you will eventually find what you want. The internet is for losers.
The digital revolution nearly killed off stores, but an undercurrent of believers stayed, holding down the funky fort. Changes are occurring constantly and still within the industry. It is very hard to survive as an artist in this world, let alone a middle man.
The Vision
The vision is the same – pushing soul. I suppose I didn’t quite realise the response from Melbourne youth in the early days in that they would create an amazing live music wonderland, with bands popping up representing the many different shades of soul music.
From bawling R&B, to sweet neo-soul, to dirty funk, to a guy in a rabbit onesy busking with a bass. The landscape has changed but the vision is still the same – support and push soul music.
I am lucky in that I have a few platforms to help push what I believe in. I have been involved in community radio in this town for over 20 years. Another great factor in the Melbourne live musical renaissance is support and understanding of community radio.
Community radio seems to be able to place music within its genre and not just treat it like streaming pop music the way other stations do. Northside still looks the same, but Melbourne has a bit more of a gangsta lean.
Portrait Of A Customer
A typical Northside customer is a beautiful person. I would hope that the gender divide at Northside is getting almost to parity. One of the plans with Northside was to address the gender gap in stanky record stores.
I think women feel comfortable and confident at Northside. Also, soul music represents a place where there are a lot more female DJs than in other genres. Although it is still a boy’s world, we are trying to break it down, just like James said to.
Networking
It is an honour and a privilege to help champion great music. I feel pretty lucky to therefore know a lot of people who make great music. It is still a mystery to me as to how they do it. I like to keep that mystery.
Basically, I have relationships with anybody / most people who are involved in making soul music in this town. We are talking people making hip-hop, reggae, jazz, funk, disco, and more. I am interested in how they do it, in what angle they come at it from.
A Day In The Life
People think managing a record store is the ultimate job. Tthey see someone sitting around listening to jazz records and it’s true, that’s what I do. However, to have a good store, one that lasts and lasts it is actually hard work.
You must have standards and you must strive to make sure you always have good records on the shelf. Then there is keeping things constantly fresh every week with a new email announcing the goodness, and it’s gotta be good!
Memories
Some of the proudest moments are small ones, particularly after or during in-stores, to see the faces of happiness. When a small girl was sitting a foot and a half from Paul Kelly – she was obviously a big fan. Another time was also after the ROR in-store, when he and his friends were singing along with some track, owning the joint!
Life Lessons
Stay funky! Oh, and others, sure there are others. Keep smiling, don’t sell things you don’t want to sell, and integrity goes a long way.
Alternate Histories
If I wasn’t running Northside, I’d be busking out the front of Flinders Street Station, hoisting the Australian flag on the moon, playing footy for Collingwood, bringing back Solid Gold and co-ordinating the funky dancers from behind the scenes. Maybe these things, maybe not?
Looking To The Future
Things do not get easier. Records do not get easier to find. We have to go a long way to find good records, as soon as people realise this all will be fine. The funk is still funky though, so it’s all good.
So long as stores wed themselves to current playing musicians and form the symbiotic relationship that stores have over the ages, then there will always be a place for stores in the world.
