What are the defining features of your store?
We operate on an online and pop-up basis only, vinyl only, new and sealed copies. We have an agenda to stock a large and eclectic range of titles. This model gives us low overheads, which is reflected in the prices. We are not in a fixed location, so therefore travel to remote locations – we bring the records to you.
What’s your store’s history?
We started last year and have built an audience through social media and our pop-up stores at Northcote Social Club, The Corner Hotel and record fairs.
If your store could be personified as one musical identity, living or dead, who would it be and why?
David Bowie: eclectic, eccentric, quality and ever-changing.
How will you be celebrating Record Store Day?
We will be at Northcote Social Club as we are every third Saturday of the month. There will be DJ’s and drinks specials as well as a strong selection of official RSD titles, over 500 new and sealed vinyl and thousands of second hand vinyl.
What makes records so special?
Records are clearly making a comeback because of their tactility. The artwork is hugely under-rated as an art form and people seem to enjoy literally ‘touching and feeling’ it. The vinyl itself does have a warmer sound that it’s digital counterpart, no question. You tend to listen to it longer. Interestingly around three years ago, when my turntable was broken, my parties we’re shorter.
What’s the best thing about Diggin’ Melbourne?
Variety. Melbourne has one of the strongest and most diverse collections available in the stores and markets. Condition is generally very strong and prices are great!
What’s your fondest memory involving a record?
When I was about five, I heard David Bowie’s Starman on the radio. I was convinced that there was little men in there playing. A few years later, I found said 7” single in my mate’s brother’s collection and it all came flooding back – it’s never left me.
Vinyl sleeves are so great for album art, do you have a favourite album cover and why is it your favourite?
Hipgnosis did so many classics and The Blue Note stable is wonderful, but I really love Andy Warhol’s design for John Cale’s The Academy In Peril with a die-cut Polaroid slideshow.
Have you had any fanboy/girl moments with famous people who’ve been to your store? Who was it with and can you remember what they bought?
We’d rather that person remains nameless, but we once strongly recommended a punk record to a bloke, who was in fact the guitarist in the band. He said, “Yeah I know that one quite well.”
