Beatdisc Records Parramatta celebrates 25th birthday
When a western Sydney record shop opened in the 1990s vinyl was already considered vintage but 25 years down the track, the business is still thriving thanks to the ‘art form’ of albums.
Parramatta
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WHEN Parramatta shop Beatdisc Records opened in the 1990s, vinyl was already classed as vintage but, 25 years on, the business is still thriving thanks to the “art form’’ of albums.
“It’s definitely a cathartic experience, putting the record on,’’ owner Peter Curnovic said.
“The sound is better, it’s warmer than digital. There’s the size, the artwork and the art of the album and listening to it from front to back.’’
Mr Curnovic, 38, started working at the independently run shop as a “young punk” in 1998 and this month celebrated its quarter century of surviving iTunes, digital downloads and the economic downturn the coronavirus caused.
Working in a shop with up to 5000 records and 3000 CDs means he has witnessed trends in music over the past two decades.
“Over the past decade it’s sort of shifted from about two thirds of customers buying vinyl and one third CDs where as when we opened it was 90 per cent CDs,’’ he said.
“For 10 years we didn’t see any young kids and they’re rediscovering vinyl and they’re all learning as well.’’
Ironically, the shop’s original owner Vic Aird now sells music online but shops frequently at Beatdisc, where record players are also sold.
The shop, tucked away in the modest Queensland Arcade off Church St, has records including ‘80s track Respectable by Mel and Kim, and Wham’s! Bad Boys.
“We do stock a very wide range of music besides easy listening and classical music.
“This is where easy listening goes to die.’’
