As part of Record Store Day 2012, Already Heard talked to a handful of individuals from the music industry about their love for records, the importance of Record Store Day and more.
The last of our interviews with Lee Burgess from Leeds-based indie label Pinky Swear Records.
Already Heard: What was the first record you bought and where was it from?
Lee Burgess: I remember some of the first records I got I actually won in a Kerrang! competition which was Alexisonfire – Crisis 12" picture disc and This Could Be Anywhere In The World 7" picture disc. I loved them and had them propped up on a shelf in my room. So that was in 2006 when I was 15. I think the first vinyl I bought would have been Enter Shikari – Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour 7" picture disc from their signing in Virgin Megastores in Manchester in March 2007 just before their debut Take To The Skies came out; and I bought it cause I thought it’d look sweet signed, which it does. But I was 16 at the time and spent all my spare money on going to shows so didn’t start properly buying vinyl till I was 18/19.
AH: Who got you into records?
Lee Burgess: I was contemplating starting to collect records for a while, then one day I saw a photo on a forum or something of someone’s New Found Glory collection and I was so envious. I then went and bought as much as their stuff I could find and then got hooked from there. Needless to say, my NFG record collection now rules. I recently got my Not Without A Fight test press signed at the Manchester Kerrang! Tour date. It looks ace!
AH: How important is Record Store Day independent record stores?
Lee Burgess: I think it’s great that there’s even an opportunity for such a day to occur in a world run by TV talent shows and where an artist like Nicki Minaj can actually sell millions of records. But I suppose that’s what makes it special for those outside of that bullshit. Record stores need to stay alive, and as the day gets bigger and bigger, it raises awareness for those stores and tells people that they do exist still. For example, any big artist could put a super limited RSD release record out, and people who want it who necessarily don’t know where their most local record shop is, will go out their way to find that shop and then will visit it. They then may well visit again and again.
AH: Do you think it’s just as important to independent labels?
Lee Burgess: I do indeed. It gives labels the chance to have some fun with releases, do something a bit out of the ordinary, but also helps provide them with extra advertisement and income to continue doing what they’re doing.
AH: Why is it important to celebrate record stores?
Lee Burgess: Because they do everything from stock your favourite records and everyone elses favourite records from labels worldwide, taking risks on what to stock and what not to stock just to provide a service, and also a bunch of them sell gig tickets far cheaper than sites like Seetickets and Ticketmaster, and way more people need to understand that!
AH: Do you think Record Store Day gets the recognition it deserves?
Lee Burgess: It definitely does as it now gets massive promotion worldwide and every year there are more releases with massive labels and artists getting involved for their sheer love of the limited format. It can only get bigger and bigger.
AH: Is there anything you’re looking to pick up on the day?
Lee Burgess: Well I was in Germany with Your Demise for Impericon Festival II ; and having just moved to London, I sadly haven’t had chance to find out where the record stores are I need to check out. But I’ll see what’s left online and see if any takes my fancy. I know Conor, who co-owns the label with me wanted to pick a bunch of stuff up, not sure what he got though.
AH: Do you think that RSD introduces new fans to indie stores?
Lee Burgess: It does, cause I’m sure that there’s a bunch of Norah Jones fans who aren’t too sure where their local indie stores are…
Pinky Swear Records links: Official Website|Facebook
Visit RecordStoreDay.com for more information on Record Store Day 2012.
Words by Michael Brown.
