7 April 2009
Real Groovy Celebrates Record Store Day
On Saturday, April 18 2009, thousands of independently owned music stores across of the world will celebrate “Record
Store Day”, represented in New Zealand by none other than Real Groovy.
On this day, Real Groovy Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be linked to all these stores, and act as one with
the purpose of celebrating the culture and unique place that they occupy both in their local communities and nationally.
Musicians and writers alike have nothing but praise for such an initiative.
“Record stores have a magic about them that’s totally unique. They are a place where you can come across music and
culture that you’re not open to in any other way, often by accident. I love that hands-on experience of browsing and
buying.”
-James Morrison
"The Independent Record Store is the reason why I STILL do music...It seems like they're the only ones that Really care
about the real music lovers...we need them...they're our balance to all of the music we are FORCED to listen
to...they're the only ones that may still suggest something NEW and FRESH instead of just what's popular."
-DJ Jazzy Jeff
Co-owners of Auckland’s Real Groovy store, Chris Hart and Marty O’Donnell, and new partner Ralph Brayham, are more than
happy to be involved in Record Store day, which started in 2007, and has grown enormously this year. Hart says,
“We’re really excited to be part of Record Store Day. Real Groovy started as a record store, is still a record store,
and will always be so. Our goal from our inception in 1981 was that we would strive to make the widest possible range of
music available to New Zealanders. And, whereas record companies and chain stores exist to create a demand for
“product”, Real Groovy’s niche has always been to meet our customers’ need for good music.
“In these uncertain times we know that Hi Fi stores and Warehouses will stop selling music recordings, as soon as that
‘category’ ceases to meet ‘profit targets’ and other ‘key performance indicators’ to give them an acceptable ‘return on
investment’.
“So we thank and salute our customers for the support that has enabled Real Groovy to continue, and we celebrate it with
this special day.”
Ralph sums up his reasons for getting involved in Real Groovy:
“Music is a really important part of my life. Its one of the most powerful ways I think about myself, and my
experiences. I think we all share this in the way music triggers memories - both the good and the bad.
For me Real Groovy represents the essence of why music is important. This is a business with a incredibly rich history,
full of passionate people who really care about what they do. I also believe that Real Groovy represents the way artists
want their music to be experienced and consumed. Music is not fast food, it’s meant to be savoured and consumed at
leisure, and it should move you, not just fill you up.
And quite simply at the end of the day Real Groovy is a place I have shopped for the last 20 years and I think it’s by a
long shot the coolest store in the country!"
Real Groovy will be celebrating this day with a stellar line up of acts, including Anna Coddington, Tourettes, Benka
Boradovsky Bordello Band, the Tutts, and Dictaphone Blues, with more acts to yet be confirmed. There will also be
plenty of cheeky distractions for browsers, with giveaways throughout the day.
For more information visit www.recordstoreday.com and www.realgroovy.co.nz.
ENDS