GIVE US THE BACKGROUND - WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A RECORD SHOP?

I opened Quicksilver Music back in 2009 following redundancy, using my own record & CD collection to stock the shelves. I had worked in record shops when I was younger and always dreamed of opening my own shop one day.

In April 2024, I moved to bigger and better premises just down the road - which has been a great success. The support received from customers old and new has been fantastic!

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR STORE? WHAT'S THE VIBE?

Quicksilver Music specialises mainly in Classic Rock, alongside Indie, Punk, New Wave, 80s Pop, Psych, Prog, Blues, Jazz and local artists. I stock both used and new Vinyl, CDs, 45s, and tapes.

The new bigger shop has room to breathe and a great atmosphere. It’s spacious and is honestly a nice environment to spend time in. Moreover, it’s a great meeting place for regulars to catch up, and hopefully a welcoming space for anyone new. Independent record shops are so important to keeping our high street alive and diverse!

CAN YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST RECORD YOU SOLD IN THE SHOP? AND THE LAST?

The first record I sold in the shop was JJ Cale - Naturally.

The last record I sold was Gomez - Bring it on.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST RECORD SHOP YOU WENT TO? AND DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

The first record shop I went to was probably Scene of the Crime in Liverpool, and the first record I bought was Queen – News of the World.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD SHOP (APART FROM YOUR OWN!) AND WHY?

I love Convoy Records in Frodsham and Dig Vinyl in Liverpool. There’s also King Bee in Chorlton - but Manchester has to be a favourite; all of the shops there are unique with great owners.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE RECORD STORE EXPERIENCE?

Most recently, I had a chap bringing in a amazing collection of cassette tapes, featuring all the classics. He gave me them for free, didn’t want any money. All he wanted was for them to go to good homes. Amazing!

HOW SUCCESSFUL HAS RECORD STORE DAY BEEN FOR YOUR STORE?

Record Store Day has brought lots of new faces into the shop and a younger generation of record buyers, which is a great thing. It creates quite a buzz in the build up to the day, and there is a lot of camaraderie in the queue, with friendships forming while waiting. It generates a lot of publicity for me locally too, which is welcomed!

WHAT'S THE BEST GIG YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO?

Chuck Prophet, in Preston in the 90s. I’ve seen him many times since, amazing.

WHAT'S YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FILM?

Genevieve (1953) directed by Henry Cornelius

What's your all-time favourite book?

John Steinbeck – Of Mice and Men

WHAT WOULD MAKE UP YOUR DESERT ISLAND DISCS?

Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
John Martyn – One World
Bobby Bland – California Album
Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy

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

Queen, Little Feat, Kate Bush, Talking Heads, Tom Waits, Miles Davis, The Band

OTHER RECORD STORES