'I am no longer scared of a record shop'

Record Store Day is coming to seven shops in Cornwall, where a vinyl hub run by an indie legend is uniting the community

“I am no longer scared of a record shop.”

That’s the view of a woman in Redruth who, like so many in her town, has found a community hub in their local vinyl emporium.

Lucky’s Record Bar on Fore Street is one of seven shops in Cornwall which will take part in Record Store Day (RSD) on Saturday, April 18.

The annual event celebrates independent record shops across the UK with exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases where music fans queue – sometimes overnight – for special pressings. Shops sign up to a code of conduct with specific rules like “first come, first served”.

Records are only available on the day in actual shops that take part in RSD until the following week.

Lucky’s Record Bar is taking part for the fifth year, since opening in Redruth. Kev ‘Lucky’ Downing said: “There are some great record shops in Cornwall at the moment.

“I’m seeing more and more young people coming in, which is fantastic. We get to know our customers and are always ready to talk about music you may be interested in. We are here all year round and stock new releases as well as secondhand records.

“It’s really important to support the record shops. RSD gives us an opportunity to attract new people in as well as our regulars.”

Lucky explained how his youthful love of record shops inspired his own. “I opened the shop in 2021, after the second lockdown. The shop was tiny, it was one-in one-out, and wearing masks. I moved to a bigger space on the high street, right in the centre of town opposite the clock tower.

“As a younger person I met lots of friends from visiting record shops and, for me, one in particular in Redruth – John Oliver’s. We would meet there after school and at weekends, and listen to new releases and each buy a single, go back to someone’s house and listen – maybe, if we were lucky, with a can of Breaker.

“I wanted my shop to be a place where people who loved music could meet up, make friends and do things together. Through the shop a few of us have DJed together at events in Truro, Newquay and Redruth.

Barry: “Your shop is brilliant, I have met so many great people from coming to your shop. Thank you.”

“At the first Record Store Day, when I was in the Buttermarket, I ran our first open DJ event,” said Lucky. “People who came to the shop DJed all day. Two people who came in met at the event and have since formed an instrumental surf band, Delicious Patricia, and released their LP on Spinout Nuggets.”

Simon: “It isn’t just about the records (though they are super important) it’s about the people and conversations … priceless.”

Lucky’s has become an important part of life in Redruth since its inception and has helped change people’s lives.

“I wanted to make the shop and events as inclusive as possible,” added Lucky, the former drummer with indie legends The Family Cat. “Alongside Woodenbox, which was originally a café in Redruth, we run a regular event called Redruth Record Club.

“It takes place at various venues around town. There is a theme each month and anyone can play three records on the theme. It has a celebratory, community feel where you are as likely to hear Shakin’ Stevens as Kraftwerk, The B52s or Jean-Jacques Perrey. It’s the club where the people who attend are the DJs. People say it feels special, like a family.”

He said: “We have recently supported a record club for women-only on International Women’s Day. Lots of women have said they would like to DJ and this was an opportunity to be shown the decks and mixer in a supportive environment, thanks to Lou, Liz and Odry.”

Liz: “I am no longer scared of a record shop. I now buy and play records, and I have met so many great people in your little emporium. Thank you!”

Lucky added: “On Record Store Day, we will open at 9am. There will be a queue, we give each person a chance to look through the releases, before letting the next person in.

“It is a great atmosphere and I will bring coffee and biscuits out to those in the queue, whilst Luke (Passman, of Hedluv + Passman fame) runs the counter. From 2pm we will have music in the Oxford next door with half-hour DJ sets from the shop’s community. Each DJ picks a theme – last year we had TV and film theme tunes, library music, female funky floor fillers, Italian psychedelic and a disco set.

“There’s always something you are going to enjoy, it’s a great end to the day and will continue into the evening.”

Lucky’s Top 5 RSD releases to look out for

• Adrianne Lenker – Live at Revolution Hall 3 LP, first time on vinyl
• DJ Koco – Cuba 45 Boxset. Continuing Mr Bongo’s single boxsets for RSD
• Madness – Faces for Radio. “The release I am being most asked for and we will hopefully have a good number of these in stock.”
• Laura Marling – Live at the Albert Hall Manchester
• Patti Jo – Make Me Believe in You. 12″ single, Tom Moulton mix / written and produced by Curtis Mayfield

Other record shops in Cornwall taking part in Record Store Day

• Far Land Records, Morrab Road, Penzance
• Rotten Records, The Old Stables, Wendron Street, Helston (10% off at the Coffee Hut, Helston, with a Rotten Records receipt)
• Jam Records, High Street, Falmouth
• Music Nostalgia, Tinner’s Court, Truro
• Museum Vinyl, Trinity Street, St Austell
• Keep Audio Co, Southgate Place, Launceston

To see a full list of the exclusive RSD releases head to the Record Store Day website.

Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first?

Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CKObHkgJF4T5fRZxiGdYqdWe also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice: https://bit.ly/41EZjzx