Record Store Day 2015
Always one’s to big up the finest independents, we thought we would take the opportunity to chat to one of the oldest record stores in Nottingham and one of the freshest on the block...
Read our interview with Pendulum Records
Nick Strang, Plates Records
Where did you get the idea of opening a record store?
I got heavily into records around the time of being at University in Nottingham. After graduating and moving cities, I found that Nottingham in retrospect actually had very few places to dig for these amazing pieces of music on vinyl during the years I spent there. I always knew I'd return and I'm happy to do so with my good friend Ralph, who shares the vision and is firmly dedicated to the cause of positive music. It is with something we came to give the people of this city that we cherish so much and feel it deserves.
Does the store have a particular ethos?
Yes - there are plenty of so-called record shops out there covering multiple angles to reach mass appeal. We have no interest in doing so. Our overriding passion is the music on these Plates so we only stock and showcase what we consider to be the best. We are also here to engage with people who love music and push them forward into a positive musical direction.
Why type of music does the shop stock?
All styles of quality music on vinyl or cassette.
What are the big sellers?
No idea, we don't engage much with numbers or sales. People seem to like our jungle selection.
Who would you say is a ‘typical’ customer?
We try to not provide for a particular ‘type’ of customer as we want all types of buyer to come here. What unites them is the quest for something real outside what is fed through other channels and media these days.
Why should we shop at you store?
We are hard working people who have really fought to be given the chance to share music with the people of Nottingham. We hand pick our stock, travelling across the country to record shops or private lock ups, and hopefully that is evident in our music selection and our attempt to move away from hype or superficial ways of engaging with music. We also are here to support local artists, long term and will strive to do that for people that share similar ethos and an open minded approach to music.
Is there opportunities for local artists and labels to have their products stocked?
Definitely. That is a huge part of why Nottingham is the place for us. The people and musicians here are fantastic, we are here to encourage that drive in people. Music is at its best when independent and driven by passion. We currently stock music from local labels like Jungle Cat and I Own You Records to independent bands like the Madeline Rust who will be performing in our space in the coming months. We also work with a fantastic independent music studio and events space, JT Soar studios who showcase the best local independent bands and keep us on track with that side of things.
What are the challengers you face?
Getting people to walk from town to the other side of the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre.
What does the future hold for your store?
More events, more independent music and our own in-house label and releases. We are also going to be getting into physical production in a way, an exciting announcement will be revealed on Record Store Day.
Will you be doing anything on Record Store Day?
Yes, the Plates shop will have DJs and we will have a few exciting RSD releases in stock as well as some unofficial new releases coming out especially for the day. We are also having a base in Hockley with a takeover at our good friends, Mimm store with DJs on rotation all day, free giveaways and a some prime cuts from the Plates shelves up for sale. We will also be running a ‘Plates x Mimm’ takeover that evening at The I Club with local DJs playing their favourite records across all styles.
Do you have any fond memories of shopping in record stores?
Too many. Every experience of being in a record shop is a positive one for me. The record digging experience is an indescribable thing that cannot be lost from music. It is an open and almost passive process of discovery which, in my opinion, can never be rivalled.
The Music Exchange, Rough Trade, Pendulum Records and Plates Records have all teamed up to make Record Store Day even better this year. Click here to find out what is going on in Nottingham for Record Store Day 2015.
For further information on what Plates Records are doing for Record Store Day 2015 visit the Plates Records Facebook and the Mimm Store / Plates Records takeover Facebook event.
Record Store Day 2015 takes place on Saturday 18 April 2015.
Plates Records, 4 Wilford Street, NG2 1AA
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