Turning Tables
Shining a light on the tastemakers behind the desk
In the lead up to RSD 2022 we’ll be featuring some of the legends behind the scenes at participating stores in a short interview segment we’re calling Turning Tables—shining a light on the faces, names, minds and tastemakers behind the desk who greet our crate-digging friends with invaluable knowledge and an undying love for all things music.
Today we’re featuring one of Record Store Day’s latest initiates and possibly one of our youngest participants, Stella from Fitzroy Record and Hi-Fi store, Vinyl Revival.
Take it away Stella!
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What store can we find you at and how long have you been there?
I work at Vinyl Revival, at 405 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. It doubles as a record and hi-fi store so my job includes a bit of both, but I am in charge of all things record/vinyl related! I have only worked here for 5 months, but I love my job and and am slowly but surely expanding our humble, but lovingly selected record collection.
How has the store and its customers changed over time?
We just used to be a hi-fi store called Stereophonic, specialising in high-end speaker systems and turntables. Since then we have become two sister stores – Stereophonic and Vinyl Revival. Vinyl Revival still stocks luxury hi-fi products galore, but also more accessible hi-fi systems for people just starting out on their vinyl journey!
We are here for all those people with a passion for vinyl but who are not overly confident in their hi-fi knowledge. For example we have a range of ‘pre-made’ turntable and speaker systems, chosen carefully by us so that you can find the perfect set up to play your vinyl without having to have a ridiculous amount of technical knowledge. Since I have started here we have been putting more thought into our vinyl collection as well as connecting more to the thriving music scene right on our doorstep, with our new Local Artist Feature and more varied record collection among a few other things still in the works.
What’s your general vibe to kick off the morning music when doors open?
I often start the day with some AIR, it’s a nice relaxing way to start any morning. I usually find myself gravitating towards the albums Moon safari or Le Voyage Dans La Lune, but honestly I find joy in any one of their seemingly endless amount of albums. They are relaxing but at the same time intricate and quirky, perfect way to coast your way into the day.
Tell us about the most valuable (monetary or sentimental) record in your collection. Why is it so important to you?
Absolutely hands-down it would have to be ‘The Astrud Gilberto Album’ – Astrud Gilberto. My mum was a massive fan of her music, so growing up the house was filled with samba and bossa nova. As a result I love the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz, João Gilberto and especially Astrud. It is one of the most calming, nostalgic albums I own, released in the 60’s yet to me, it is completely timeless. I don’t think it really matters that I don’t speak a single word of Portuguese…
Favourite Australian release of all time?
That is an absolutely impossible question! But one of my favourites has to be ‘Choose your Weapon’ by Hiatus Kaiyote. The way Hiatus write is so incredibly intricate, absurd and original. I love the way this chaos emanates from just about everything they do, from their song titles (like Shaolin Monk Motherfunk) to the way they perform, their album art and the lyrics to their songs. From start to finish this album is a confusing, exciting, delightfully frazzling, sparkly adventure that leaves you wanting to start from the top all over again. There are so many little intricacies to each song that the more you listen the more you hear. I also think Choose Your Weapon is like a time capsule of Melbourne music at this time, that will, and has indisputably influenced people in and out of Australia, definitely including myself. I am currently loving listening over and over to their new album ‘Mood Valiant’ which is just as delightfully detailed and colourful.
What record has been on repeat for you lately?
I am a little bit late to the train, but I have been loving Yasuke, Flying Lotus’s latest album. It genuinely makes me feel like I am a samurai warrior walking through an old video game, which makes sense seeing as the album was made as a soundtrack to a new anime Yasuke, about an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga. It is deliciously dark and intense, incorporating a massive range of textural, oriental sounding percussion with the hard grooves and synthy, urban sound of Flying Lotus. I would highly recommend you go give it a listen if you haven’t already!
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Stay up to date with Vinyl Revival, and all their RSD happenings via their website, facebook and instagram.
Store Location
Vinyl Revival
405 Brunswick St
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Phone: (03) 9419 5070
Opening Hours:
MON-SAT: 10AM – 5PM