Okay, maybe HMV’s demise is some way off still but it’s pretty clear that its days as a national music retailer are numbered. Whilst I feel sorry for the staff and suppliers who’ll get binned in the aftermath (hell, I’ve been there...it ain’t nice) the end of HMV might just offer some of the remaining independent music shops a little hope by driving those few mad souls who still like a physical ‘product’ through their doors. We’re clearly entering the last stages of the music shop meltdown, with the vast majority of people buying/streaming/nicking music online and a small but hardy bunch of purchasers who still crave that limited edition vinyl release or the 16 CD 4 DVD Ultimate Edition of Landscapes’ seminal ‘From The Tea Rooms of Mars...to the Hell Holes of Uranus’. It’s unlikely that ANYTHING will ever be released in the future without it seeping onto the Intermess within a matter of hours so the only way that independent record shops (or indeed HMV if they still want to keep playing the game for a while) can survive is by flogging the collectable stuff that appeals to us fetishists AND giving punters something they simply just can’t get online. I’m talking everything from in-store appearances/signings through to having knowledgeable staff who are happy to chew the fat for an hour or two. Whilst some of the few record shops still around do some of this stuff – and although it kind of goes against the grain of everything I love about independent stores (the dust, the smell, the dark slightly forbidding atmosphere) – I guess they could do with making the places a bit more punter friendly. I’d certainly plump for a cafe / record shop over no record shop any day, especially as people seem far happier these days to fork out £3 for a coffee than £3 for a single (mad fools). Perhaps by giving people more than one reason to visit a shop you might just encourage more custom? Yep, it ain't rocket science. I’ve always been a little surprised that gig venues don’t do more of the merchandising thing too. I don’t just mean a shabby merch desk at the end of the night, I’m talking a full time ‘shop’ (again probably bolted on to a wi fi cafe/bar area). They’re paying rent on these places, they might as well get something out of ‘em during the day or on nights when there aren’t any gigs on eh?
PS: The last time I looked Birmingham’s city centre’s only surviving record shop, Swordfish (Temple Street), was still there so pop in and show them some love if you’re anywhere near.
PPS: I promise I won't use RIP in the heading of the next post...
PPPS: Unless someone else pops their clogs...
PPPPS: Never heard of Landscape? Cop a load of this...
I've always wondered where all the record shop 'n' cafes are, seemed like a good idea to me but then records and coffee are probably my favourite things :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was at Uni in Southampton (late 90s), the HMV had a few boxes of 7" records at the back and one of the staff there used to write reviews on labels that he would stick on to the cover. I pretty much bought anything that he'd written "sounds like My Bloody Valentine" on. I discovered loads of good records that way and loved going in to chat to him. Just nostalgia I suppose but I do hope that some of the independent record shops survive.
Helen
You've hit the nail on the head there Helen. It's great being able to listen to music online and read blogs for hours on end but you can't beat the good old fashioned face to face natter over a 7inch single. Ahhhh...I'm getting all misty eyed at the thought of it. It's true though. I've discovered lots of great stuff the same way that you did and enjoyed the process (the chat) just as much. I may be overly optimistic here but I reckon a select few record shops do actually have a future just as long as they're willing to keep offering something that gives us an experience not just a mere transaction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment too! It makes a change from spammers advertising viagra...
I always mean to comment, I read your blog in a reader so don't always hop over to the site. This is my favourite music blog so it's time you knew! No doubt we've crossed paths at gigs around Brum, you clearly have good taste.
ReplyDeleteAwwww bless you! It's always nice to know someone reads this stuff! I'm sure we probably have been at the same gigs before if I see you I'll say 'Hi!'
ReplyDeleteYou can't miss me...I have a silly moustache...very silly. I'm normally at the front too...nodding my head like that Churchill dog. I have no shame.