Selectadisc hasn't really gone...as such. Sisteray bought them out and run the shop almost 100% the same (same layout and range...basically, perhaps with some more vinyl).NAVEL OF LIGHT wrote:its sad to see the 'high street' record shops going. I heard recently that Mr.Cds and Select a Disc in Berwick Street, London have gone. A few years back, me and a couple friends used to save our christmas bonus and christmas money and book a day off in january and go and spend it all on records and cds. We'd come home with the plastic bag handles straining under the weight of our purchases. Golden days!
I try to avoid downloads as i prefer the product...to hold the cd case, read the credits etc.
I do use mail order because its the only way to get alot of music i love.
Shops are suffering because of the download market ....but i think the music industry has pushed things in this direction. Record labels ripping off artists and fans alike for years. Two of my favorite bands,(TD and MARILLION) both have their own labels and studios. With Marillion, we even pay for the album up to 2yrs in advance. In return, we get a special extended edition of the album, our name in the credits list etc. The band use the funds to promote the album etc.
And how many HMV's or small indie record stores could you purchase TD's latest offerings from.
It may not be great for record shops but its the way it is.
How many HMVs stocked TD? about 99% of them had MFD, as it was promoted and distrubuted beyond this website.
Yes some shops are closing, however some are opening, such as Rough Trade East. In fact if you look at the latest Music industry figures for this year you'll see that digital sales are up (or at least they were pre-credit crunch). Perhaps, at last, the industry will open it eyes and see that Mp3s and downloads are an opportunity, and this goes for small record shops as well...they've got to move with the times. Know your market as the old cliche goes, offer people what they want, when they want...and perhaps challenge their tastes and tempt them into different forms of music
