Damien Brown set to open Spin and Groove Records store in Newstead

The doors on some live music venues in Brisbane may be closing but a local man is hoping to keep the scene alive as he prepares to open a rare record store in the inner-city.

The owner of Spin and Groove Records – Damien Brown.

The doors on some live music venues in Brisbane may be closing but a local man, with almost 30 years in the industry, is hoping to keep the scene alive as he prepares to open a rare record store in the inner-city.

Damien Brown, whose involvement on the scene includes years as a musician, sales representative, venue booker and booking agent, will launch Spin and Groove Records at Newstead later this week.

The location is next to the Newstead Brewery and inside Urban Jungle Studios and Brown said the store would have a wide range of music for all tastes.

He also said opening a record store had been a dream of his since he was a teenager.

“To me record stores should be a welcoming place to hang out, find new music, meet other music fans and musicians and hopefully come away with that album you’ve been wanting to get from your favourite band,” Brown said.

83 Doggett St, Newstead – the location of Spin and Groove. Picture: Google

“I will also be providing band merchandise and turntables and very much supporting local artists who have physical music or merchandise.

“I have been involved in music in various forms for nearly 30 years … with the unfortunate decline in small and medium live music venues this is a way for me to stay involved and start a new venture.”

Spin and Groove’s opening comes just weeks after it was announced iconic Fortitude Valley live music venue, The Zoo, was closing.

Brown, a Newstead resident, said the inner-city suburb was the perfect place for the new venture.

The owner of Spin and Groove Records – Damien Brown.

“I have had a lot of positive feedback already about the location, this area is growing quickly and very progressive and to me deserves a record store,” he said.

“The location is inside Urban Jungle Studios, which already has a creative community with production studios that provide spaces for photography, band rehearsals, tutoring and recording so it’s a great fit, having a brewery right next door is also fantastic.

“My aim with the store is to provide a wide range of music for all tastes rather than specialise in certain styles or genres.

“With my contacts in the industry I’m hoping to also have in store signings with touring bands, listening parties and noise levels permitting maybe even live music.”

Brown also gave an insight into what records would be on stock and what records may be among his favourites.

“At this point most of my stock is brand new from various suppliers, my all time favourite band is Kyuss so I will always have a couple of their titles in stock,” he said.

Spin and Groove will have a grand opening on Saturday at 83 Doggett St, Newstead.