Dead Ringer Records: Taylor Chalmers opens new Toowoomba vinyl record business

Punk is far from dead in Toowoomba with a new vinyl record store set to open in the coming weeks. Find out all you need to know here.

Taylor Chalmers is set to open Dead Ringer Records in the Australia Arcade. Picture: Kevin Farmer

For her entire life Taylor Chalmers has been heavily involved in the creative arts thanks to the influence of her music teacher dad and artist mum.

But it was when she turned 12 and finally discovered English band The Cure when 80s punk rock and alternative music became her biggest passion.

Taylor Chalmers is set to open Dead Ringer Records in the Australia Arcade. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Now aged 17, Ms Chalmers is set to open her own store Dead Ringer Records selling vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and merchandise.

“It has always been a dream of mine to open my own record store,” she said.

“Listening to music allows me to escape stressful situations and really helped me get through my final high school exams.”

Sanity in Toowoomba's Grand Central announced it would close along with other stores across the country. Picture: Sarah Petty

Naming the business after her favourite 80s horror movie, Ms Chalmers said she also wanted a name to reflect bringing something – like 80s punk – back from the dead.

With the closure of Sanity stores across the country next month, she said it will leave limited options for music enthusiasts to access vinyls without driving to Brisbane.

The soon-to-be record store owner said she hoped the community would take her seriously despite her young age.

Taylor Chalmers is set to open Dead Ringer Records in the Australia Arcade. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Formerly the site of Expertise Clothing Alterations, the store will be based in the Australia Arcade and is currently being transformed to embrace Ms Chalmer’s style of choice.

In addition to new carpets, doors and electrical works, the 17-year-old said the walls would also be painted purple with black accents.

“I want it to have a bit of an edge and be a bit gothy without scaring people away,” she said.

Set to open on April 1, Ms Chalmers said the launch of Dead Ringer Records was definitely not an April Fool’s joke.