Tell us a little bit about your store? What's the vibe?

The Buttermarket where I was based was a great space with a courtyard with a market and events. Local bands played there and the occasional visiting musician (Holly Humberstone did an early free show there) it has received funding for re-development so everyone has had to move to new premises, and I have just moved into a slightly bigger shop on the high street.
It’s very relaxed and I know most of my regulars by name, people hang around, have a coffee and listen to new music. I mainly stock new independent releases and cover areas that other shops locally perhaps don’t. I’ve only been open in my new space for 3 weeks and it’s quite exciting seeing more people come in at the moment as it’s a more visible space than before. As well as new releases, I also have a second-hand section which is popular.

Can you remember the first record you sold in the shop? And the last?

The first record I sold at the shop was an original, second-hand Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci LP to a delighted, now regular, customer. The last record I sold was Sault’s Air. I have been talking to anyone who would listen to me about the previous Sault LPs which have been some of my favourites over the last couple of years. Other records that have sold well include the Cassandra Jenkin’s LP which seemed to sell a copy every time I played it. Wet Leg has been our biggest ever seller.
I have a few local musicians that come in regularly and have played outside in the old courtyard including locals Hanterhir whose last LP got good reviews, they sing in Cornish and English, worth checking out if you like sprawling psych/folk.

Do you remember the first record shop you went to? And you do you remember the first record you bought?

My parents say that the first record I wanted was Barbara Ann by the Beach Boys when I was 2. The first single I remember buying myself with my pocket money was Blockbuster by The Sweet. I must have been about 9 years old.
Growing up in Redruth there was one particular shop that got in all the new Punk and New Wave singles. Some of the people I met at that counter are still friends today. It was called John Oliver’s which closed several years ago. When I opened my shop, John’s daughter visited me and gave me a framed presentation that he had received from EMI Records for 40 years of selling records. As he had passed away, she wanted it to stay in town in the only new record shop which was really lovely.

What is your favourite record shop (apart from your own!) and why?

Most of the record shops I used to visit are closed now. I have fond memories of the Record and Tape exchange shops in Notting Hill and picked up loads of bargains there as a student. Also, Vinyl Experience on Hanway Street, just down from Bradley’s Bar a favourite drinking haunt.
My son lives in Cardiff, and I always pop into Spillers Records when I visit him, I also enjoy visiting Drift in Totnes, many years ago they recommended to me an Arthur Russell LP which became a firm favourite, and his albums sell well in my shop.

What’s your most memorable record store experience?

During the band years we did several in store appearances at Virgin Records, HMV and loads of small indie shops. We always liked doing these because the staff would let us pick an LP or two each to take away with us. I remember getting New York by Lou Reed at one, the first three Dylan Bootleg series boxset at another. The most memorable experience would be playing on the roof of the new Virgin Megastore that opened in Plymouth in the early 90s. We felt like The Beatles on top of the Apple Building.

What's the best gig you've ever been to?

I like to think that the best one is the next one I go to, so I’m going to pick the last gig I went to which was Self Esteem at Boardmasters. It was a celebratory, life affirming show to an audience of all ages.

What's your all-time favourite book?

Will You Please Be Quiet, Please-Raymond Carver

What's your all-time favourite film?

Wings of Desire

What would make up your desert island discs?

Off the top of my head, I’m going with; Dolphins – Tim Buckley or Fred NeilAin’t that Enough- Teenage FanclubTrue Love Will Find You In The End-Daniel JohnstonMidnight Train to Georgia –Gladys Knight and the PipsBreaking down the Walls of Heartache-Johnny Johnson and the BandwagonQuiet Heart-The Go BetweensCuddle Up-The Beach Boys[White Man] In Hammersmith Palais-The Clash

Who would form your all-time Festival line-up? (past & present)

Maybe some laidback afternoon music like Lambchop and Spiritualised. Nick Drake around teatime followed by some soul as the sun set Curtis Mayfield, then Marvin Gaye playing the whole of (much underrated) Here, My Dear. The Velvet Underground (Mo Tucker/John Cale line up) come on around midnight.

What's your all-time favourite record?

Don't Stand Me Down - Dexy's Midnight Runners

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