What store can we find you at and how long has it been open?
We’re located in the inner western suburb of Sydney called Newtown and have been open for 20 years. We’ve been in Newtown for 14 years but have our origin in the cultural heartland of Sydney, Penrith.
What’s your general vibe to kick off the morning music when doors open?
Doors open at 11am seven days a week. I usually listen to difficult experimental music and death metal before doors to get it out of my system and not upset the customers. I’ll chuck on something more inviting as doors open. Chic and The Faces are examples from this week.
Ever had any notable cameo walk-ins in store?
We’ve had visits from Henry Rollins, Elton John and Monica from Playschool but I was most starstruck by comedian/actor Aaron Chen. One of our nation’s most promising young talents!
Do you remember the first record that started your own collection? Was it bought, gifted or handed down?
I bought The Stranglers – The Stranglers IV (Rattus Norvegicus) from an Op Shop in Cairns as a teenager. I think I knew the song ‘Peaches’ from a movie and it was the only thing remotely punk looking and was in my price range!
Outside of Repressed Records, where is your favourite store or do you remember where you purchased your first single, album, or EP?
I have fond memories of visiting Missing Link as a teenager on a family holiday to Melbourne. They were definitely a source of inspiration for the intermingling of a wide range of independent music subcultures.
Favourite Australian album of all time?
That’s an easy one, X – Aspirations
What is your top selling local record at Repressed Records (of all time or 2022)?
I’m proud to report Faceless Burial – At the Foothills of Deliration LP and Yuta Matsumura – Red Ribbons LP have topped the Repressed Records sales charts for 2022, local or otherwise.
Tell us about the most valuable (monetary or sentimental) record in your collection. Why is it so important to you?
I can’t say I have very many expensive records as I like too much music to track down pricey collectibles. I do have a copy of The Clean – Boodle Boodle Boodle 12” on Flying Nun that has a particular special aura about it. Rest in peace Hamish Kilgour.
Tell us about your favourite artist, and what record of theirs you’d recommend to introduce to someone who’s never heard of them.
My biggest musical discoveries of 2022 has to be Patrice Rushen! I couldn’t have envisioned this obsession, but the Elektra era hits comp ‘You Remind Me’ got me hooked! Rushen is a child prodigy jazz pianist turned R&B singer/songwriter/composer. I think what makes her different to other virtuosos in a similar musical realm is that there’s a real approachability and humility in her sophisticated electro-funk-pop, with her ability and the highest calibre technological/human resources at her disposal serving the music, not her ego. In a nutshell, she’s a living genius!
Best thing about owning a record store?
I’ve been working here since I was 17, over half my life. I don’t have any skills or life experience to do anything else!… In all seriousness I;m very grateful to be in this position and as difficult as it can be there’s too many great things to mention.
It’s closing time in the store, what’s spinning?
Have you heard of Chicago Footwork music? It’s a 160bpm mutation of House music that’s rhythmically complex but also very repetitive at the same time. It has the dual function of being very enjoyable to me but seemingly is very annoying to a segment of the population that doesn’t get the hint that I need to go home and prepare my child’s dinner.
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Store Location
Repressed Records
413 King St
Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: 9557 6237
Opening Hours:
Monday 11am – 5pm
Tuesday 11am – 5pm
Wednesday 11am – 5pm
Thursday 11am – 5pm
Friday 11am – 5pm
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm