Kevin

“The Figures Just Don’t Add Up”. So said Phil Barton on the closure of Rounder in Brighton as their lease came to an end. To be honest I’d be amazed if anybody’s figures added up these days but it is difficult to tell. The few who claim to do well talk of increased turnover or footfall […]

The blog about Rounder in Brighton closing and what that meant for the rest of the independent shops left was thankfully very well received both at home and abroad and within and outside the music industry. Many of the responses I received also touched on Record Store Day despite my own comment of “As for […]

While Ian Rankin was in buying his Blur box set and James Yorkston new album on vinyl we were chatting about everything from the record stalls pitched up outside the shop to the relentless march by labels and bands to DC (direct to customer). “You’re certainly kicking against the pricks” Ian said. This biblical reference […]

The answer is I think yes and definitely for a good while yet. However if those sales are too fragmented then the physical format becomes less viable. Shops of course have the highest overheads and therefore without a certain level of sales can not survive. While there may be enough physical sales in total if […]

This is a “survey” by Music Week  but wearing my stats nerd hat it is a bit pointless in proving something I certainly think is true.  POLL: The subject of the CD’s decline is rife amongst record labels after music retail has experienced it’s toughest year ever. Yet independent store Rough Trade is on course to […]

I’ve had the same conversation several times recently in which labels/bloggers have talked about reaching the mainstream when what they mean is reaching the regular indie buyers who listen to indie/local bands but don’t normally read blogs, go to album launches or listen to Vic Galloway. Knowing your target market is obviously important and they fail on […]

I didn’t get much chance to look at the market on Sunday but it had to be better than Saturday’s. The first problem with the Saturday markets held in August which I’m reliably informed are a “tradition” is that they are too big. We need people IN the Grassmarket and the stalls take up so […]

I had two ladies in today from Athens, Georgia who both bought CDs. They asked if I was still doing OK as I reminded them of their local shop Schoolkids that had closed last year and caused quite a shock in doing so. I googled the shop later and could see why they had said […]

Most people would be surprised I think at Scottish indeoendent music’s worldwide appeal and also the international reputation of Avalanche. People come from all over the world to visit the shop often but not always based on our reputation for recommending Scottish bands. We are also well known for selling bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, […]