if i’ve said it once, i’ve said it a fair few times – vinyl is king. it’s revival is nothing short of blessing in my eyes. (definitely said that a few times as well). for many people, it never went away. but vinyl seemed to be the only format that the music industry really attempted to ‘kill off’ which makes this return to popularity so much sweeter.
sure, the 80s, 90s and 00s saw us stack up cassettes and CDs, attempt to fill ipods and stream ourselves silly.. from the dodgy virus-riddled limewire of my early teens, to itunes and spotify – despite the ease and access of it all – it almost seemed like the purchasing of music had lost its charm. i mean, where is the real fun in a digital-based collection?
vinyl falling back into favour with artists and music lovers in recent years is, for me, about the tangibility of it all. the personality of it. the holding it in your own two hands. the album artwork, the sleeve notes, the rare editions, the hidden tracks.. i could go on. but there’s no denying that some music was just MEANT to be heard on vinyl. from needle to groove. and you can fight me on that one.
living in cities for the past decade or so, i’ve been spoilt with record stores. and i mean, real record stores. i’m not talking your high street hmv‘s, but the independent shops filled with gems where you can truly get lost for a few hours just browsing. in manchester, i even had a record shop at the end of my street. alas, not all of us are lucky enough to have this – especially if you live a little further out in the sticks.
as a kid growing up in barrow in the 90s, the only ‘music shop’ i can particularly remember is andy’s records – but my parents tell me of many others before my time – kelly’s, blackshaw’s, well’s, earthquake records – filled with records, and merch and listening booths. where they both built up their considerable collections to be spun around our household every weekend – the soundtrack of my youth being a messy mix of ozzy osbourne, YES, bowie and bush. (see vino&vinyl ~ an introduction for further details).
but for years, barrow has been without. to get your hands on real vinyl, you’d be travelling to lancaster and beyond and believe me – that road isn’t kind. (either that or ordering off amazon but then who really knows what you’re getting?)
all that changed and christmas came a little early on the 22nd december last year when TnT Records opened their doors in duke street. it’s been a long time dream for barrow-born and bred dave turner – a well-regarded local drummer for bands such as codeJAK and wildfire – and his passion for bringing a record store back to the area is pretty damn massive. for starters, the shop is open seven (7!) days a week. and in just 10 short months it’s achieved more than some businesses do in a decade! stocking everything from brand-new releases, second-hand and classic vinyl, CDs, magazines, books, various official band merch, collectibles, as well as being the official retailer of Rega turntables and hi-fi equipment in the area.
the recognition TnT has received already is outstanding – its been featured generously in the press, including mojo magazine as ‘store of the month – june 2019’, its on the short-list (top 8) for ‘record shop of the year 2019’ ran by long live vinyl magazine {VOTE FOR THEM TO WIN HERE}, whilst also being on the radar of graham jones -author of ‘last shop standing’.
having managed to secure a place participating in Record Store Day 2019 just months after opening – a feat that usually takes years to achieve. “we weren’t gonna take no for an answer” dave told me “it was all about showing them (the ERA – entertainment retailers association) that the passion and the demand was here in barrow” and the shop’s figures and footfall spoke for themselves. the official RSD site explains..
A Record Store Day participating store is defined as a physical retailer whose key product line is music and whose company is not publicly owned nor a chain of more than 20 shops. In other words, we’re dealing with real, live, physical, indie record stores – not online retailers or large corporations.
this trailblazing move by TnT to receive RSD status as a new store caught the eye of jones who got in touch. and in july, the store hosted its first film screening with an exclusive look at jones’ documentary ‘the vinyl revival’. the author was there to present his book of the same name as well as a q&a session. and its safe to say the vinyl enthusiast was more than impressed. “graham is a massive champion of independent record shops and he was straight in touch with us as soon as we were announced as a record store day venue.” dave told local paper the mail.
the venture is a family affair with dave’s brother, dad and son josh all being involved in the running of the business. “everything i do in my life, i do it 150%. i don’t half-arse anything.” he told me. and having visited the shop a few times that hardwork and passion (from what they stock to their customer service) is obvious. the support from the town has also been massive. one guy who popped in while i was there is in the process of building up his old lost vinyl collection slowly but surely.. despite not having a player..yet! he told dave that while it takes a minute to buy a record player, building a collection takes time. and dave is certainly there to assist.
right now, there’s stacks of vinyl to flick through, a cosy listening room to kick back and spin a record or two with a brew, space upstairs for bands to practice and for drum/guitar lessons. but what about the future?
“we’ve got three-floors of gold here.” dave’s face lights up when he’s talking about it. “so we’ve definitely got plans to use all the space we’ve got. and we want everyone to enjoy it.” with such a strong local music scene, TnT promises to be a hub for that.
they’re also working with the mighty kendal calling festival as an official partner/ticket outlet! less than a year old, and TnT has lived up to its explosive moniker. and i, for one, can’t wait to see what they do next..
TNT RECORDS – 86 duke st, barrow-in-furness, cumbria
you can find them on instagram, facebook, and vote for them to win ‘record shop of the year’ here -only a few days left so get on it!!
cattface.com 