Forever a stalwart on the vinyl scene, Quality Records…plus are joining in this year’s Record Store Day with a host of celebrations and an in-store by the ever-charming Debroah Conway and Willy Zygier. Proprietor Mel Mays weighs in on the debate of whether RSD is achieving what it set out to. “Yes,” Mays says with confidence. “The original idea behind RSD was to raise the awareness of the public to the values of the independent record store. In the US and in Australia most independents closed because they could not compete with chain stores which used chart CDs as loss leaders. Service, knowledge, and a passion for music should be – and usually are – the independent’s creed. RSD has become an event for music lovers and the rebirth of vinyl, which was aided and abetted by the smaller stores such as Quality Records…plus.”
Last year Quality Records…plus had musical legends Mike Rudd and Bill Putt (from Spectrum, Ariel and many more) performing in-store and the day was a glowing success. This year looks sure to be no exception. “We are most fortunate as Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier will be performing their new, critically-acclaimed, album Stories Of Ghosts at 2pm,” he says. “Apart from RSD special pressings, we have dug about in crates and boxes to unearth numerous record and CD treasures to be sold on the day.” Competitions, discounts and of course, coffee will also be on offer.
Vinyl is a seductress, but it’s easy to wonder whether this love affair and revival is going to survive or simply fall by the wayside in favour of easier music delivery technologies. “Vinyl has never gone away and while is it cool, it is also has artistry, sound quality – while they might not always be superior – to CDs depending on where and what you are playing them on, they are more listenable and more enjoyable,” he says. “Apart from the majors, there are now numerous smaller – although I hate the word – boutique labels offering re-issues and high-quality audiophile pressings. Quality Records…plus is privileged to be the Australian distributor for the German Speakers Corner Records and stocks many other similar labels.”
Quality Records…plus has built a hard-earned reputation of being on the edge of independent music and propagators of rare vinyl but when Mays is asked whether he thinks Quality…will have long-term sustainability thanks to their rep, his sense of humour shines through. “Reputation? Trendy or slothful?,” he says. “Quality Records.. plus maintained a website dedicated to vinyl for well over a decade which only shows a degree of stubbornness, or it has made us aware that if you hang around long enough what was retro can become cutting edge. While the industry has shrunk, music is never going away, and there is a place for all formats including vinyl, CDs and, yes even MP3s – maybe cassettes have finally gone to God – and for those who distribute and sell it. We hope that our reputation is based not only on service and reliability, but also enthusiasm for what we do.”
Buy a record, and we’ll all live happily ever after.
BY KRISSI WEISS
