When it comes to collecting records authenticity is key, and they don't come much more authentic than Russell Morris who is one of this year's Record Store Day ambassadors.
Russell joins a select cast of ambassadors including Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus), Kate Ceberano and Hockey Dad. Warwick Vere is the owner of Rocking Horse Records in Brisbane City and also is involved with selecting the ambassadors for Record Store Day each year.
“Russell Morris is somebody who has worked non-stop in the music industry,” Warwick says.
“He's a real believer – we were lucky enough to have dinner with him a few years ago and I was so impressed with his enthusiasm for record shops, the physical product. He put out his last couple of albums on vinyl, and they were good albums. He's not had to reinvent himself; he's a keen historian as well... Russell is a great catch.”
The main drive behind the global Record Store Day movement is to support and promote independent music retailers, in particular brick-and-mortar establishments. In 2019 the event heads into its 13th year and Warwick says it has become a highly-anticipated tradition. “Record Store Day has been fantastic; for us it's the biggest day of the year bar none and probably for just about every major record store,” he enthuses.
“I'm on the board of the people who present Record Store Day, so we do get a lot of feedback and everyone says it's the biggest day of the year. That's fantastic, because that's bigger than any other day around Christmas, which you count on to keep you alive. It's a great day that comes at a wonderful time of the year and it seems to have just grown and grown. It's become one of those staples now.”
Meanwhile, Warwick and his staff at Rocking Horse Records are preparing for another blockbuster instalment.
“A lot of people come in and say it's great to be here and part of the atmosphere. The atmosphere for us is one of craziness but it's good; there's a very light-hearted atmosphere and everybody has a good time.
“We generally have a DJ playing, we try and get an act or two to play. People line up before dawn to get that one thing that they're after... it's first in best dressed, so some people were lucky and some people weren't.”
In 2019, there are more indie shops participating in Record Store Day than ever before and Warwick says the most important thing is to get out there and get involved.
“Participate wherever you are, and your local record shop is probably hip to Record Store Day,” he says.
“Last year we had a bit of a drive to get other record shops involved and told them it wasn't too scary and that for a small amount of investment you didn't have to buy too much stock; you didn't have to sell your soul to the Devil, and they were very pleased. I hope every year it grows and grows.”
