Record Store Day went down last weekend and if you’re one of the thousands of Aussie music lovers who turned out to support your favourite brick-and-mortar record store, give yourself a pat on the back. The owners of Australia’s record stores would certainly like to.
“Record Store Day was another incredible day,” Chris Gill from Melbourne’s Northside Records told Tone Deaf, “and Northside would like to thanks all those involved and all who came down. Either to dig or dance.”
“We had the privilege of hosting five amazing different local soul acts. I think the most important element of Record Store Day is the celebration of the music we have in Melbourne town. Retail is one thing but realising what we have is a whole ‘nother!”
Northside’s RSD included performances from the likes of Graeme Pogson, Sex On Toast, Man Made Mountain, and Remi, “a soul soldier who with Jay dh’ed all day then got up and made both sides of Gertrude Street Dance. People were hanging out of windows!”
Adelaide’s Clarity Records had a similarly “amazing” day. According to store owner Matt, “We had a huge line up all the way down the road of people waiting for us to open at 12. It was our busiest day ever and a great vibe all day.”
Back in Melbourne, the iconic Polyester Records had “fantastic” DJs and bands and a shop “packed with great customers all day”, with store owners assuring us the beloved record spot will “live to fight another year”.
Meanwhile, Clay from Thornbury Records gave a shout-out to some of the store’s biggest fans: “Our usual Legend from Ballarat ‘Steve’ slept in his car overnight to take pole position in the queue. Big ups to Ryan for being our number 2 man again!”
Finally, Dan Hoskin of Sydney’s Mojo Record Bar informed Tone Deaf, “RSD went really well for us. The first two hours were crazy and then people came in waves throughout the whole day. It only really got quiet towards the end at 6-7 when we were finishing up.”
Till next year!
