Beth Ray Writes

I am very excited to introduce my Record Store Day interviews! I’ve been interviewing some of the independent record stores around the North West area in anticipation for RSD next week, to hear record-seller’s stories, what they think will be the top-sellers, any advice for music fans and more!

We start our interview series in Altrincham at Tasty Records. Tasty Records was founded in 2013 by Ben Molesworth and their team is made up of Ben, Sol and Jess. They are a very cool, trendy vinyl shop. They aim to have an even mix of pre-loved vinyls and new releases. On their website they state their mantra is “we don’t want to sell the most records, we want to sell the best records.” They go on to describe the shop as “a true independent ran by three passionate individuals with a comfortable, unpretentious environment and a wide range of genres (and prices!) sure to please anyone who comes through our door!“
Passionate and unpretentious they are, I took a deep-dive on their Youtube channel and they have videos spanning from explaining the latest RSD releases (click here to view) to unboxing popular releases and to an explanation video on how to buy records well (view here). I loved how with watching these videos they explain everything really well and the team are all really passionate about the music. I also found a lot of new bands to listen to from watching the videos (thanks guys!).

When I visited the shop, I was welcomed by Sol who kindly agreed to be interviewed for the blog. Here is the interview below:

Beth Ray: How would you describe Record Store Day to someone who has never been to RSD (Record Store Day) at Tasty Records?
Sol: RSD is a day worldwide and in the UK especially, because it is run by the BBC, by promoting independent record shops, making people aware that they are still a thing. Some people walk into the shop and they are like “Oh we didn’t know record shops were still active and around”. We have loads of exclusive releases, this year I think we have over 400 and these are first available on the day and everyone queues up to get their hands on them. A lot of stuff which has never been on vinyl before, live stuff that has never been on vinyl before, exclusive coloured vinyl and picture disc so the collectors really get excited about it. It is just an opportunity to draw attention to record shops, independent places like this that are ran by just three people. It’s a fun day, we’re going to have djs on, a lot of places have live bands on, it’s a great day.


BR: So which titles do you think will sell out the quickest?
S: This year we’ve got Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahan, there is a lot of people after that one. I’d say the 1975 is very popular this year. Catfish and the Bottlemen, we did order way more than that but because they are super limited they had to cut our numbers by quite a lot, basically we ordered into 2 digits for that one but they’ve cut us down to 1 digit for it so it’s a bit tricky and that will make it sell out really quickly as there are loads of people after it. Previous years Taylor Swift has been the most popular and you can tell by the queue because on a normal year, the queue stretches to maybe the flower shop, last year it was right round the corner and it was because the swifties came out in droves.

BR: Do you expect this year will be more of the same or even bigger?
S: I’d say it is difficult because last year, for example again we had Taylor Swift and 1975 were two massive numbers which we got loads of copies in. This year we have no Taylor Swift but her album comes out the day before and we have 1975 and I think this year there is a big spread. So last year there was a handful of really good titles, this year I think there’s a massive spread of really good titles, so I think it’ll probably be busier. I’d like it to be busier.

BR: If you could choose only one vinyl to buy off the list, what would it be?
I know it’s super hard, ok I’ll let you choose two…
S: This year there are a load that I really want, I’m going to be spending a lot of money on the day. There is a Pharaoh Sanders one who is a jazz legend and he died a couple of years ago and there is a 7” single. It was only ever released in Japan and I think [the originals] are over £1000 as the originals are really rare and they are finally reissuing it. So that is one I am really eager to get hold of.
There is Prince Buster, which is again another reggae legend and his stuff is on the Blue Beat label and that is really hard to find in any condition. People will spend over £100 on a ruined, beat up copy of his singles. I could keep going, the Roches they are a girl, three piece group with folk acoustic guitar, lovely harmonies and I feel it’s not been reissued since the 70s and it’s being reissued. I love that album. I already have a copy of it but I want to pick up another one because I love it so much. I could keep going but I suppose that’s three and you said two.

BR: What is the earliest time someone has queued on RSD since you’ve been working at Tasty Records?
S: Last year we had someone who was very eager to get the Taylor Swift release, Longpond Sessions: Folklore, and they ended up getting a hotel in Altrincham but they didn’t actually end up using it that much. They got here at 2 in the morning, I think that beats the record. Although that’s while I’ve been working here. In previous years I’ve heard stories where people have come at 11 at night. So I’m thinking this year maybe I’ll hang around in Altrincham for a bit after work on Friday and see if anyone is queuing in the early hours. It’s very exciting and we are humbled by the dedication people have for it. I suppose it’s going a bit off topic but people usually commit to us because we are a smaller shop and you’re more likely to get what you want from us. You should see Piccadilly in the northern quarter, it wraps around Affleck’s and even though they are getting more stock because they are a bigger shop, obviously more people are after it so your chances are evened out. So we do see a lot of people coming from Manchester and queuing up in Altrincham because it’s a smaller shop and you have more of an opportunity to get the releases you want.

BR: Any advice for anyone queueing?
S: In a sentence, get here as early as you can. I know that sounds vague but as early as you’re willing to come, if this release you really really want. I know if I wasn’t here working, I’d be there at like 5am/ 6am. 6am is the earliest, reasonable time people are willing to come so 5 minutes makes all the difference. If you come at 06:05 and then someone else arrives at 06:10 the queue can be double the length because everyone is arriving at that crucial time. Bring a warm coat, bring a camp chair if you can, that helps so you can sit down and chill. Bring headphones and listen to some music and bring a book. Stay positive, speak to people in the queue, talk to them and have a good time that way. Don’t see it as a gruelling experience. We are going to open as early as we can, probably 8am so if you come at the early hours it’ll be a couple of hours waiting, but it will be a fun day. So come as early as you’re willing to.

BR: Last question, what is your favourite thing about RSD?
S: I’d say the vibes. You see all the regulars, so obviously we have all regulars who come in the shop and we see them intermittently, sometimes weeks apart, sometimes days and we see them one at a time. Often on RSD we have people who come in and all their tastes meld, so if there’s two people who are really into jazz and they have never met before we’ll introduce them and they’ll start talking. We will just see all of our regulars one after the other so it’s great. It reminds you why you’re in the game in the first place, it’s all about making people happy in music and that is why RSD is so good because it’s the day of all days. It’s Record Store Day.

BR: Amazing thank you, anything else you’d like to add?
S: We are open at 8am on the 20th April, I’ll be here, Ben’s here, Jess is here. Come and say hello, even if you are not buying records just come and have a look around and have a nosey!

I had a great time at Tasty Records talking to Sol and I’d highly recommend if you can’t make it to them for RSD to check them out when you can as it’s a really cool store. I treated myself to one of their cool tote bags which they have on offer. They also have a competition to be in for the chance of winning a cut-out of Taylor Swift (as shown in the photo above) and a £50 record store token if you order Taylor Swift’s new album which is released on 19th April. Find out more by clicking on the link here.

Also have a look at their instagram for more information on their RSD event.

Thanks again to Tasty Records and stay tuned for more Record Store Day posts being posted in the run up to the big day.


Beth x