What working in a record store has taught me

Next to surfer (though never having surfed a day in my life), music magazine editor, and late night television host, "record store employee" was an adolescent dream job of mine. Though having good and bad aspects it is clear that working at a CD/record/movie store is not how the movies portray it.

Here are some things that I have learned from working at a CD/record store.

THE CUSTOMERS
Chances are, in 2013, you may not even know where the local record store is in your town. You know where the Wal Mart is, and you sure know how to log onto your favorite downloading site. But, record store? Do those even exist anymore? Sure do. And a very distinct array of customers seem to shop there.

- Hipsters: Hipsters love record and CD stores. The store transports them back to a time when the hipster didn't even exist. It's hipster heaven. The hipsters buy records exclusively, and they buy in bulk. Chances are the hipster does not even own a record player. The point is to look like you have been a collector for years. A hipster rarely knows much about the artist or even the piece of work they are spending twenty odd dollars for. It's all in the facade. When you say to the hipster buying the latest Red Hot Chili Peppers on vinyl "great album, but it's too bad about Frusciante. The new guy is still pretty good though" and they look back at you wide eyed through perfectly shaggy bangs with downward tilted Buddy Hollys, you know you've encountered a true hipster. All in all they are harmless. And good for business.

- The older folk: They are a fickle bunch. You may encounter some truly fantastic older people. Old folks who have lived long, full lives. They relate their lives to the music they heard and how it made them feel at the time. It's a beautiful thing. If you're lucky (like me) you might have an older fellow croon to you in a mad search for an old Tony Bennett song that reminds him of his late wife. These are the people who take your day from good to unbelievable.

To my misfortune then there are the other kind of old folks. The grumpy ones. The ones who hate everything, even you. They are the know-it-all, partially racist, condescending bunch who you would like to punch right in the dentures. They might say things like "you're much too young to know a thing about the blues", or "I'm sure you don't even know who Canned Heat is" (you do), or they may go so far as to say "I'd like to speak with someone older, you won't know who this is and I would trust an older gentleman" and you will know who it is, despite being a young female, because it will be someone like Frank Zappa. And everyone knows who that is. The grumpy old ones suck. They are draining and make you wish there were more hipsters around to help. Or make fun of.

- The people who can't afford it but buy stuff anyways: CD stores have the power to attract a low income kind of crowd. CDs offer a lot of bang for your buck. $10 for something that will bring you joy for the rest of your life? Hells yeah! That's a steal. But, it probably isn't wise when you are living welfare cheque to welfare cheque to skip on rent for the $6.99 copy of Rushs' 'Fly By Night' if you "might already have it". It's cool that these people just want their tuneage but they get you to look up any CD they can think of from 1978- 1985 only to say that it's all "a bit pricey eh?" (it's really not). They will take your attention from other customers for what seems like an eternity only to turn to you to say "ahhh better not, can you hold this for me for a month? I'll be back!" and they don't come back. The best kind of low income CD purchaser is the kind who brings a friend. They have thought ahead and know they plan on buying a few CDs but have only brought enough cash for one. When you reveal the price, they nonchalantly turn to their buddy and say "hey man, can I borrow a few bucks", and this is before they even check their wallet. These people are usually the ones you see every few weeks, every time with a different friend. Crafty.

EXAGGERATION
When people enter a music store they must all of a sudden speak in hyperbole. It's an unwritten - now it's written - rule. It shows you mean business and know your shit. Or that you have a flair for the dramatic.

-"I absolutely NEED the latest One Direction or my daughter will DIE!"
-"Downton Abbey is the BEST show OF ALL TIME!"
-"When Ed Sheeran and Elton John played together at the Grammys, I DIED! It was PERFECT!" (people seem to "die" a lot).

PEERS AND OPINIONS
When you tell someone you work at a CD store they will likely think one of two things (or maybe both things): 1.) "That is awesome! You must have so much fun" or 2.) "You are a bum. Get a real job."

Both are valid. And probably correct.

IT'S NOT LIKE THE MOVIES
Working in a record store is not, I repeat, not like High Fidelity or Empire Records. Not in 2013. In those movies records and music was way of life, a way of breathing. It tied everything together. When Marie De Salle singing Framptons 'Baby I Love Your Way', is playing over the shop, you really get a sense of what Rob is feeling at that moment. In real life, it's not like that. What CD/record stores lack now is the feeling of comfort, so long are the days where a record store served as a sacred holy ground. How could it be when a store willingly will pump "we are never ever getting back together". In a CD store now, there will not be someone like Barry galavanting in with a mix tape who will shamelessly tell a father that what he is buying his daughter "sucks". People don't change the music based on your mood and current love life. It's just not like that OK.

CUSTOMERS ARE RIGHT. YOU ARE WRONG. THE END.
No matter what the customer says, they truly believe they are correct. Despite the fact that you are the employee, making you the expert. Despite the fact, that you needed to interview for this job, you didn't just waltz in one day and claim it. No, you had to earn it. Despite the fact that you are obviously passionate about music and know your shit. And despite the fact that you do this every single day, you are wrong and know nothing. When a customer says "Carly Rae Jepsens album should be in the folk section", you just smile, and remember this tidbit to laugh about with your coworkers later. When a person says "well, I already checked your rap section for Bieber and no luck" you try to explain that he is very much so a pop artist, they will then say "but he kind of raps in Boyfriend" you just make a mental image of Bieber next to Biggie*, Biz Markie and Black Star, you laugh in your head and reply with "huh mkay".

When it comes down to it, the customers generally don't care if you have a backstory to what you are selling them. Trust me. After my THIRD (yes it happened three times) attempt at getting a customer (wearing a RHCP t-shirt!) to check out Live at Slane Castle (because he was looking for DVDs) because it is probably the bands best live show to date and being brushed off with a "Uhhh... naw. I was looking for stuff from Stadium Arcadium on it mostly" I threw in the towel.

COWORKERS
The absolute best part (other than the discount- yep I said it) about working in a CD/record store are the wonderful people you get to work with. You are surrounded by somewhat likeminded creative, music lovers constantly. At my store I am constantly reminded of how uncool I am. I work with a graphic designer, a painter, a stand up comic, a slew of people in bands - really good bands, the future Angela Hewitt (actually she will likely be even bigger), a jazz singer... and the list goes on. I am working with a group of music geeks. Varying genres but all with the same obsessive nature. I am constantly in awe of how cool my coworkers are. It's great for company, bad for self esteem. The type of people who work at CD/record stores are usually pretty nice people, who just happen to make music a large part of their lives.

IT'S RAD!
The final thing I've learned is that it is a pretty sweet deal. Maybe not a life long gig for me, who knows though, but in the mean time it is nice to be employed somewhere I want to support, and am proud of. Oh and a place that pays me listen to some one my favorite music all day.

*Biggie is actually categorized under Notorious B.I.G, I just said that to make a point.
** the photo was not taken by me but by a coworker. The photo is not of the store that I work at, but another of our locations

Record Store Demise Thanks to Quick Fix

As an informed grocery shopper, when you are looking for your produce do you look for the “made in Honduras” or “product of Mexico” sticker? No. Unless of course you are in Honduras or Mexico. As a smart shopper, you buy local. You are aware that buying locally means you are making steps -yes, small steps, but steps - towards a sustainable environment. Not only that, but it shows that you not only care about your body, the environment, but also the economy. Good work, shopper.

Why should music purchasing be any different?

Since I’ve started working at a CD/Record store I’ve had countless shoppers say to me “well, I can get this at Wal Mart for two dollars cheaper..”. As if this were Thailand and I could barter with them. While holding back snapping at them saying “well then, GO THERE YOU WHINY FART!” I simply think “are these people for real?!”.

There are two main things that are contributing to the demise of the CD/Record store industry; our demanding digital world, and mega monster companies.

The creation of music was not always like how it is today. There was a time when an album told a story. It was meant to be heard a certain way. Songs were fashioned to a specific, well thought out order. I find this rarely to be the case anymore. When you open up a book I doubt that you choose chapters at random and start reading (unless it’s a ‘Goosebumps: Choose Your Own Adventure’).

Companies like Apple (who - don’t get me wrong, I do love) create amazing things like, iTunes. iTunes is awesome, yes. But iTunes can easily be a friend or a foe. Beyond having a place to store all of your music, you can also buy music through iTunes. And, if that weren’t enough there is a genius living in your iTunes who will also create playlists for you if you so wish. All with very little effort required from you. It leaves you free to sit on your couch and have all your needs met. Music porn.

When I was living abroad, iTunes was my best friend. I couldn’t just head out to a record store to buy the latest Jack White record. Hell no. It didn’t exist where I was. Luckily I was able to pre-order and have iTunes automatically download what I want as soon as it becomes available. This was great. But something didn’t feel as genuine. iTunes (and other downloading) discourages the physical aspect of music. A part of music most people don’t acknowledge. Everyone wants the cheap and easy fix, the instant gratification. All at once the hard work, and grueling hours that the musician put into whatever it is you sought out has been reduced to almost nothing.

I, myself, am a record collector. I like that traditionally there is a rhyme and reason for the songs on side A, and the songs on side B. I like that it’s not an easy task to just change the song. I like that to hear the second half of the album I need to get out of my seat, lift the needle, flip the record, and place it gentle to start again. I like that I can hear the small specs of dust that fall onto the record. I like how if someone jumps, the song skips. It’s physical. If I want to play a good, fulfilling, sweaty game of hockey I don’t turn on the wii and have at it with the other mii’s. No, I grab my skates, a stick and puck and head to the closest ODR. Music shouldn’t be any different.

I get it though. You hear a song at a bar. You ‘Shazam’ that song. You go home and then [illegally] download the song. It’s a quick fix, you’ll likely delete the song in a month. That Ke$ha song is catchy, but not catchy enough to spend money on. And, no you have no intention of buying her album. Fine. But, is it fair that ‘Ramble On’ be forced to be played before or after her? Not really, no. It’s doubtful that artists intended for their songs to be played in shuffle having their hard work mashed in with your quick fix.

I feel that musicians are aware of this, making them create hit songs, rather than hit albums. Because music is so easily accessible it is often also under appreciated. You think you appreciate the music you just downloaded? Trust me, you would treasure it a lot more if it meant decided on buying your dinner or a new record. Not saying you should go broke to love music more. I’m simply saying when you, yourself, are working to keep your musical tastes satiated you will likely feel a deeper connection to what it is you are listening to. Which is what was likely intended by the musician.

The second impeding force affecting the slow, painful downfall to record stores is mega companies. Which brings me back to my initial point. When customers say to me at work in a whiny voice “well, I can get it at Wal Mart for a cheaper price” it really urks me. Duh, of course you can get it at Wal Mart for a lower price. Honestly, Wal Mart can probably afford to sell it for an even lower price.

Think about it. Wal Mart treats its staff (and I’m not referring to the staff on the front line bagging your buys or stocking the shelves) as if they’re serfs. Meaning they can get away with paying them nearly nothing. Wal Mart then buys CDs for, let’s say, $0.99. Then, Wal Mart turns around and will sell you that same CD for $15. Wal Mart is making about $14. Not to mention when you are buying from Wal Mart, you are showing that you support this behavior, and all that comes attached to it.

An independant CD/Record store might buy a CD for, maybe, $10 (for example). They will then sell it for $16. Say this is the same album that Wal Mart is selling for $15. Yes it is one dollar more. But look at what you are contributing to. You are contributing to your local economy, creating jobs within your community, helping the environment, all the while still showing support to the musician. In this case the independent record store makes $6. That $6 will go to all the expenses that go along with owning a business. In a world where the majority of consumers aren’t buying music, whether it be through iTunes or in a physical store, that’s not very good.

It’s easier to say than to do in practice. Given you are a music fan, why not shell out the dollars to show that you care. It’s better for you, for the musician, for the small business, for the economy. Everyone wins. The $10-18 you might spend on a new album is worth the life long, rich experience you will get with it.

Yes, cheesiness intended.