The G-Man interview with Ray Wingnut – A Record Store Day Special

Wingnut Records Galway
Located in The Bell, Book and Candle at Small Crane, Sea Road, Galway.
Contact Details : wingnutrecords@gmail.com
Official website: www.facebook.com/wingnutrecords

The slightly-but-delightyfully unhinged Ray Wingnut of Wingnut Records (Galway) was only too happy to answer a couple of qs ahead of the fifth annual Record Store Day celebrations.

What does Record Store Day mean for you?
I know that it started in the US a few years ago. I think it’s a great little promotional day for what is fast becoming a very underground industry. It serves both as a promotional tool and a cultural celebration of independent record shops and their place in the community. As well as that it is an opportunity for artists to show their appreciation for record shops…and it’s a mighty excuse for a party.

Any fond memories from previous Record Store Days you would like to share?

2011 was Wingnut Galway‘s first ever RSD! With about 2 days to go i had absolutely nothing organised. Then I saw that Lamp, one of the best bands in Ireland were playing in Galway around the same time, so I asked them to play a set and they obliged. They were amazing and we had a great crowd in. I was thrilled and they won a few new fans. I love Lamp.

What limited editions would you like to put (or will be putting!) straight in your bag before the store opens on April 21st?
*Halves’ special edition clear 12″!

*A ltd edition 12″ vinyl from Halves. Click here for more details.

What tasty treats have you got lined up for Record Store Day?
We have a mad lineup, kicking off at 2pm on the Saturday. We have leftfield electro-rockers Nanu Nanu kicking off. Then we have Galway’s Loner Deluxe which is experimental/sound art/folk/whatchu-may-call-it. We then have a live set from scratch turntable crew Vince Mack Mongrul with a short live set and a lot of jamming. Then we have amazing Dublin rockers Bouts and we finish up with a very loud heavy-metal set as Galway’s Them Martyrs launch their new 12″ EP.

Phew! All of that between 2pm and 6pm. Plus there will be loads of freebies and maybe a couple of cheeky pints next door in The Crane Bar.

What to you will signify a successful record store day?
Happy visitors to the shop, not afraid to spend a few quid. Happy musicians, happy audience and a gathering of the tribes. Good craic and a celebration!

In the past 12 months what have been the highs and lows of your record store?
Highs have been just doing what we set out to do, and word has spread and people know who we are. We have had some great instore gigs and this will be ongoing. We released our first album as a label when we collaborated with Cork band Hope Is Noise on This Used To Be A Laugh. That was a great honour. Also we opened Wingnut Waterford, which is pretty amazing.

Lows involve musicians who want you to sell their stock, but don’t feel the need to support other independent musicians or their local record shop. That happens way too much.

What does the future hold for your record store?
We are going to buy out HMV.

Line-up for Wingnut Records Galway Record Store Day 2012:
(very approximate stage times)

– Record Store Day 2012 takes place on Saturday, 21st April
– Them Martyrs, Bouts and more play Wingut Records Galway from 2-6pm
– Entry is free!
– Stay up to date with Wingnut Records via Facebook.com

www.recordstoreday.com