Record store puts new spin on old sound
Traditional music format vinyl records are enjoying a resurgence in Albany at Paperbark Merchants.
Since December the store has been selling the albums of more than 300 artists and a range of turntables as Woof Dog Records.
Hamish Cameron from Paperbark Merchants said vinyl has no equal in terms of quality sound.
“Woof Dog Records had been a thought bubble for quite a few years now, driven simply by the lack of a record store in Albany and my preference for purchasing music in the best format,” he said.
“The Great Southern has a deep appreciation for music with many talented artists and I feel there was a void that needed to be filled.”
The store covers a wide range of music styles from jazz, blues, classic rock & roll, punk, rap and spoken word.
Mr Cameron said that after speaking to record store owners in Perth, he discovered there was a growing market for vinyl.
“Further conversations with key music labels not only backed up what the stores had been telling me but also confirmed the upturn in vinyl sales over the last five years not only across Australia but all over the world,” he said.
“Woof Dog has deliberately had a soft launch into the market. People who love vinyl know we are here and I am happy with that.”
He said he had been surprised by the number of young people digging through the racks.
“They love the idea of dusting off their parents’ or even grandparents’ old turntable and bringing it back to life,” he said.
“They are genuinely surprised to see new albums available on vinyl and excited by having something tangible to look at, listen to, read and appreciate — the same reasons that the more experienced generations recognised before them.”
Paperbarks Merchants plan to add accessories such as record cleaners, replacement head units, cartridges and T-shirts to the collection.
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