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Published by Leonardo Calcagno
In collaboration with Kaneshii Vinyl Press
Who are you and your current job :
My name is Claire, I’m the manager at Family Videoland Castlemaine. My family bought the business toward the end of 2016 and the community that has blossomed around the store is incredibly encouraging and welcoming. As well as being an indie record store, we are also one of the last DVD rental libraries in the area.
In which city are you located?
We are located in a small historic town in the central Victorian Goldfields called Castlemaine
What musical styles do you specialize in?
We try to carry a little bit of everything in the store as our town has an eclectic mix of tastes. We have an extensive range of classic rock reprints as well as trying to stay stocked up with the latest hip-hop, indie and even a little bit of top 40. We find a lot of joy in sourcing the more obscure stuff, even the occasional comedy album.
Can you give a small tour of the music scene in your town?
Castlemaine is filled with a massive amount of creativity and that is definitely reflected in the music scene. There are a number of incredible live venues that host the various festivals throughout the year and there’s always live music around. There are some great living legends in the area as well as some really talented newcomers, the town oozes creativity.
What’s it like working in a record shop?
It’s a truly rewarding experience. We still get the occasional person that’s absolutely shocked by the vinyl resurgence, and more than a few that come in lamenting the massive collections they’ve thrown out at a time that they couldn’t even give them away. It’s great to contribute to somebodies ever-growing collection, or even help them to start one; there’s something very memorable and satisfying about buying your first record.
What mind-blowing album are you listing right now?
‘No time for Dreaming’ by Charles Bradley, it’s soulful, raw and beautiful, it sounds like it couldn’t possibly be from our time. It’s a great shame that Bradley didn’t spend decades recording his material; the raw emotion is so tangible, moving and something that everybody needs to hear.
What does it take for an indie record shop to survive?
People like to say that the physical formats are dying, but as someone who runs a DVD and Vinyl shop, I can definitely disagree. DVD and vinyl aren’t only for collectors, they’re for anybody that wants to hold something tangible in their hands. To have this creativity and workmanship maintain a physical presence, rather than just an emotional one. It all comes down to the determination, passion, and connection – connection with what you are selling as well as who you are selling to; genuine customer service and passion for your product.
What does Record Store Day, mean to you and your business?
Exclusive releases and limited edition vinyl aside, Record Store Day is a rewarding day for all. It gets collectors and vinyl lovers alike out for the day for great conversation and the excitement of finding something that your collection is missing. It’s the biggest day on the vinyl calendar and deserves a celebration!