Give us the background - when and why did you decide to open a record shop?

Pie & Vinyl - as an idea - would probably not have made it very far on Dragons’ Den but it just works! Combine vinyl records and pies, and you get a real human experience. Something you can’t find on a screen using the internet.

The idea was conceived in 2011 and the shop opened in April 2012. It was my dream shop, built around records and music but also offering quality food to create a unique experience. It borrows from the past to create something modern and human. Pie and mash is, traditionally, a working class food, and something I had grown up with. It’s a similar story for the vinyl records. They were both traditional ideas. Combined, they are remolded into something new.

It’s comforting and real - something that would touch your soul, and make you happy!

So, why not try and make it happen?

Tell us a bit about your shop. What’s the vibe?

At Pie & Vinyl, we strive to be a friendly shop that doesn’t challenge but learns about what customers like and listen to. We love to talk to our customers on a best friend level. It’s a privilege to explain our concept and drive home the message that music retail is not dead!

Our goal is to ignite a genuine connection and passion with what we offer - music and quality food. We believe we are part of the new generation of record shops, almost anti-internet. We strive to maintain a fresh approach whilst not forgetting the origins of the products we sell.

Pie & Vinyl is a hub for the community; giving back in our unique ways. We cater to all dietary types and music tastes - promote various shows around the city, as well as hosting instores and managing our own record label, invested in local talent. All our food, and décor is sourced locally and uses high quality ethical ingredients.

What is the ultimate Pie & Vinyl pie flavour?

Maybe crispy shellac, with a hint of zoetrope 😉

Can you remember the first record you sold in your shop?

I really wish I could remember the first record we sold! May have been ‘Is This It’ - The Strokes.

I can definitely remember our most recent! A lovely couple visiting from the Czech Republic swung by for a copy of ‘Letter To Yu’ by Bolis Pupul.

Do you remember your first visit to a record shop? Did you pick up any records?

It would have been Woolworths - which is not really a record shop of course, but was a great way to get to see records!

It was mostly tapes and CDs, but I used to look at the artwork and take in the names of bands. Probably while mum was busy buying some sort of new kitchen utensil!

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

Good question! I’ll be honest, I don’t go to many others. I was a huge fan of Fopp in the early 2000s. I loved how they really brought music and books together - something we are seeing more of now in indies.

Tell us about your favourite record shop memory

Ah, well there wasn’t one, that’s why I started Pie & Vinyl!

I felt that walking into record shops when I was younger could be a rather cold, and unfriendly experience. The guy selling records didn’t really want you to touch anything - or really sell you anything. Very high fidelity. I thought it should be the opposite of that, so I made it happen!

How successful has Record Store Day been for your store?

2024 marks our thirteenth, so hopefully a lucky one!

We seem to have a little system we can roll out now. We really appreciate Record Store Day and it’s a great time to entice new customers. It’s a bit like valentines day isn’t it? Some celebrate it, others don’t, but it’s all about LOVE…and loving the best format there is!

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

It’s impossible to say, a bit like your fav song. Some of the early Primavera festivals were great! They used multi venue space, it was really unique. That was in the early 2000’s, circa 2006. Now it’s become a bit a monster and I don’t see myself going again. My most recent festival was in 2012 (and probably the last for me…) Rock En Seine is good too!

Apart from that…Super Furry Animals, PJ Harvey, Radiohead, Neil Young, Twiggs, Anthony & The Johnsons and Arcade Fire were all amazing when they started out! Loved seeing them in small venues.

What's your all-time favourite film?

Labyrinth (1986) - Jim Henson

What would make up your desert island discs?

‘The Beatles (White Album)’ - The Beatles

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