INDEPENDENT SHOPPING GUIDE F O R YO U R B O O K S H E L F
TALKING SHOP
The problem with independent bookshops staffed by passionate experts is that they encourage loitering from the likes of us, and for this, we apologise
S ome of our best and most enjoyable timewasting has been done in the independent bookshops and record stores of Edinburgh and Glasgow. So – apologies go out to the recently relocated, ever excellent Analogue Books with its unique collection of locally made zines, colourful graphic design/ illustration / fashion books (see our interview with owner Julie Nicoll, right) as well as the art and architecture-focused collection at The Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh. In Glasgow, GmbH do an excellent job of furnishing the city with journals, periodicals and magazines from around the world. (Currently trading online, plans are underway for a move to new premises next month.) We also enjoy Made in the Shade’s small but well-formed magazine collection, including the bi-monthly fashion and photography gem, Selvedge.
For the music lover, some would rate Monorail as one of not just Scotland, but the UK’s best independent record stores – in terms of its cut-the-crap approach to its fine-tuned music collection, not to mention its knowledgeable but
never arsey staff.
See panel, below, for more of our favourites and see page 15 for item details.
NAME: Julie Nicoll SHOP: Analogue Books
JOB: Owner Before we opened, we found it hard to get hold of many of the books and magazines that we were into and felt if we were into this stuff, surely others would be too and decided to just take the risk and open. We have all kinds of customers; art students, design and creative professionals and freelancers: people who are just generally into contemporary culture or looking for a little inspiration. We opened way back in 2001, at the bottom of Victoria Street. We moved recently, due to spiralling rent increases, just around the corner, to Candlemaker Row, next to the lovely Hannah Zakari. We have a diverse selection of art and design-related books, covering architecture, graphics, illustration, fashion, contemporary culture, as well as magazines, zines and prints. We try and offer a good balance of new as well as staple titles from the bigger, well-known publishers but also spend a lot of time sourcing harder to find books and zines from small, independent publishers, as well as from artists direct. Some we import from overseas but we also like to make sure we have publications in by local/Scottish-based artists and designers too such as Matt Swan, Lizzy Stewart and the Lindström Effect. We’re very pleased to be hosting a book launch and talk by Nigel Peake in April for his new book, In The Wilds, published by Princeton Architectural Press, which looks amazing, and we’ll also be releasing a couple of our own publications later this year. I would like to see more artists /designers /collectives getting together to organise events and ‘just do stuff’ – I know there’s a lack of funding available but even just opening up pop-up shops or galleries in empty units would be good to see. I was really pleased to see the [new Edinburgh gallery/ studio] Superclub opening was so busy. More of that please. ■ Analogue Books, 39 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, 0131 220 0601, analoguebooks.co.uk See page 100 for details of International Record Store Day events on Wed 16 Apr.
INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES Words: Lauren Mayberry
MONORAIL 12 Kings Court, Glasgow, 0141 552 9458, monorailmusic.com Pick through lovingly stocked, carefully edited alterna-indie vinyl in this musical cubby hole started by Stephen Pastel (of The Pastels). Heavy woollen jumpers and limited edition vinyl of The Boy With The Arab Strap likely; copies of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, not so much.
AVALANCHE 5 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, 0131 659 7708, avalancherecords.co.uk A stalwart of the Burgh indie record shops for over 20 years and great for acoustic sessions and recommendations for new homegrown talent. Recently moved to the Grassmarket (between Red Dog and Helios Fountain) but still the same well-oiled machine.
ELVIS SHAKESPEARE 347 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, 0131 561 1363, elvisshakespeare.com As the name suggests, literature goes hand in hand with music, covering prose, poetry and punk, 1980s dance, country, metal and most things in between. Prices span from mere pounds to £200 a pop for rare collector’s items.
RUBADUB RECORDS 35 Howard Street, Glasgow, 0141 221 9657, rubadub.co.uk LOVEMUSIC 34 Dundas Street, Glasgow, 0141 332 2099, love musicglasgow.com
Focusing on underground, electronic music and DJ/studio equipment (much like Edinburgh’s Underground Solu’sh’n), Rubadub is a pleasant escape from your hipster hub du jour. Techno, hip-hop, booty, nu jazz, house, funk and crunk are all on offer. The rebranded/face-lifted version of Avalanche Glasgow, still filled with new and pre- owned records and music DVDs. Well-stocked, with new items arriving six days a week, and responsible for semi- regular instores from local and touring acts.
16 THE LIST 31 Mar–28 Apr 2011