Despite the leaves having turned well and truly brown, and the fact the sky is often a hazy shade of grey this time of year, the City of Yarra remains the undeniable hub of Melbourne’s bustling local music scene.
Thanks to the area’s many independent record stores and much-loved live venues, on the first Saturday in July it will also become home to the Yarra’s inaugural Winter Record Store Day as part of the city’s Leaps and Bounds Music Festival.
To celebrate, Beat caught up with a few characters crucial in bringing the sounds of winter to your ears; Chris Gill from Northside Records, Zach Powell from nearby Oh! Jean Records and Richie Ramone from Strangeworld.
“It’s a wonderful initiative of the council and we are always about supporting under-represented artists, those who can’t afford publicists or even think about marketing budgets,” Ramone says. “Also, the opportunity to use our newly-minted performance room to highlight Indigenous, gender diverse and underage acts was particularly enticing.
“Small businesses are tough to sustain, so to be incorporated into such a respected event as Leaps and Bounds, helps let people know who we are and what we do, and will keep bringing people to our neighbourhood,” Powell adds.
So what can punters expect to see and hear on July 6? “We are launching a special record on that day,” Gill reveals. “Neil Morris, or DRMNGNOW, is a Yorta Yorta man and musician with a purpose. DRMNGNOW (pronounced Dreaming Now) is a project which is firmly focused on raising awareness around Indigenous justice in a post colonial society. This work is complex and is equal parts system challenging as it is celebratory.
“The single ‘Australia Does Not Exist’ has been re-visited featuring Kee’ahn, a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Torres Strait Islander woman, exciting emerging artist, and integral part of the DRMNGNOW live experience,” Gill says. “This 7” release will re-released as part of NAIDOC Week and to give eternal life to important local songs.”
Over at Oh! Jean, the tunes will kick off in the afternoon. “We have three great bands playing from 3pm,” Powell says. “Firstly, Sledgehammer, a four-piece Melbourne-based band, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sophia Lubczenko. The band features members of Crepes, Sagamore and Dreamin’ Wild. Secondly, Bad Bangs, a raw, rigid and gritty garage trio from Melbourne. And lastly, Flight To Dubai, who indulge in the fervour and stoicism of late ‘70s post-punk, adopted and delivered with earnestness and vigour.”
As for Strangeworld Records, they’re keeping with the local rock flavour and may even provide much-needed sustenance. “We’ve locked in underage rockers Disco Junk, the post-punk chug of Plaster of Paris and the Velvets swagger of the Michael Beach. We’re a bit partial to a BBQ – especially on Record Store Day – so we’re likely to wheel it in again,” Ramone laughs.
Ramone says he has always had a passion for discovering new and unusual artists. “Our regulars swing by and know I can point ‘em in the right direction to something they’ve never heard of. You like Dylan, Van Zandt, Cohen or any of the heralded singer-songwriters? Have you listened to Simon Joyner? In 1993, legendary BBC Radio One DJ John Peel played Joyner’s fourth album, The Cowardly Traveller Pays His Toll, in its entirety – he only ever did that for a Dylan album – such was the regard Peel had for Joyner’s music.
“Northside is a store that has been helping to support an incredible local music scene,” Gill adds. “Especially music focused on the GROOOOOOOVE tip. That scene has grown significantly lately and Northside will always let you know of a great gig to catch on this hot side of town … we love funk.”
Powell loves to showcase talent from across the ditch. “My Kiwi background has allowed me to really shine a light on Aotearoa music, and I try and make sure I am the first stop for anything NZ. Also having another business, RRIOT House coffee, sharing the space, makes it a more pleasing experience for anyone who has come in with someone not as interested as they’re,” he jokes.
Oh! Jean Records has been a bricks and mortar store for over three years and, even in that short time, Powell says he has noticed a shift in the way we consume music. “For me, the trends in vinyl move and change constantly, although I see a wider range of ages purchasing it as time goes on. It’s definitely feeling like it’s the normal medium of choice for any music purchase now, regardless of age.”
Gill has seen many changes too in the nearly 20 years he has been at Northside. “[It’s been] 17 funky funky years … I have noticed the 12” single format has taken a bit of a battering. I suppose that is really for DJs and maybe that means there are less DJs? I still sell lots of LPs.”
So come down and enjoy some diverse music alongside an even more eclectic bunch of music lovers. “We love a record store party,” Gill says. “Whatever drags people to their local groove church.”
The Winter Record Store Day is just one feature of a jam-packed nine-day Leaps and Bounds program. Other events of particular note include Girls Rock! Melbourne – an all ages extravaganza raising funds for the next Girls Rock! camp to be held in September 2019.
Those playing include A+, House Deposit, Thibault, Carpet Burn, El Tee and more. Outside of that, Moaning Lisa will be launching their new single as part of the festival and there will be shows from Mod Con, Poppongene, The Dusty Millers and so many more.
Yarra’s Winter Record Store Day goes down on Saturday July 6 as part of Leaps and Bounds Music Festival which takes over Melbourne from Friday July 5 to Sunday July 14. Head to leapsandboundsmusicfestival.com for more info and show tickets.
