Tell us little bit about your record store?
After 19 years on Peel St in West Melbourne we relocated a year ago to our present location on Victoria St, North Melbourne. Our new premise is larger, so we’ve been able to expand our stock level and introduce more music varieties. We stock alternative, indie, rock, metal, stoner, ’60s-’70s, blues, jazz, goth, industrial and soundtracks on both LP and CD. Plus a range of T-shirts, DVDs and framed posters.
What are you doing to celebrate Record Store Day? What special releases/offers will you have?
We will be open earlier from 9.30am. My Left Boot and Queen of the South will be playing live in store. We’ll have a range of exclusive RSD releases, a large selection of second-hand 7”s and LPs going out on the day and a free Heartland tote bag pack for all RSD vinyl purchases, while stocks last.
What differentiates your record store from the other record stores? Would you say that you have a specialisation?
We stock a large cross section of genres to try to ensure there’s something for everyone.
What do you credit as causing the ‘vinyl revival’ we currently find ourselves in?
Us and all the other record stores that persevered with vinyl during the alleged CD takeover of the ’90s-’00s.
What is your most obscure record and why?
Heartwarming Heartland Records Choral Voices on the now defunct Pissy Tramp record label. Only three copies ever made.
Who is the most famous/weirdest/prominent customer that is been in your store? What did they buy?
We had a tramp come in once, he pissed on the floor, but in his defence he did buy some CDs.
What’s the best thing about the Diggin’ Melbourne guide?
It makes it easy for people visiting Melbourne to discover all the great record stores that they otherwise wouldn’t be aware of.
Heartland Records is located at 420-422 Victoria St, North Melbourne.
