My local vinyl record store, Empire Records, is one of the places where I first started reading my poetic creations. It was the place where it didn’t matter what you had to say and I discovered, with my hands shaking so much that the white pages before my eyes impressed the sensation of double vision on several occasions, that people actually seemed to enjoy what they were hearing.
Sadly, the events stopped due to one thing or another, and I lost the platform on my doorstep and the comfort of performing to regulars. Even more sadly, Derek, the store’s owner and the most quietly cool dude I have had the pleasure of meeting, lost his life to cancer earlier on this year. He was so kind towards me and my awful nerves. His fantastic record shop is still going strong, showcasing the very best vinyl and occasionally inviting musicians to play live in-store, from the likes of the folk songsters, Dodo Bones to punk’s compassionate angry man, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes.
So, you always wonder what you can do to make something better in eventualities like these. Nothing really, words are not usually going to make much of a difference, albeit offer some comfort to those who bear these losses, but you do want to do something.
It’s not much, but today I went into the shop with my words, in the form of a box of copies of The Will To Gig, my new mini anthology of rocking poems and popped them on the counter next to the Mount Vernon Hospital collection box, inviting customers to take a copy in exchange for a fund-raising donation for the pot.
So, if you are passing Empire, pop in and grab a copy. Thanks everyone.
Anna Ghislena 
September 1st, 2015 at 6:13 pm
did they used to do poetry readings out loud in the store?
September 2nd, 2015 at 7:01 am
Hi! Yes, it was an event called “Word Up”, usually once a month(ish) and anyone could pitch up and read their stuff, enlightening, amusing, dramatic, whatever. I think some of the store staff had an interest in writing so perhaps that’s where the idea came from. Thanks for passing by my blog too.
September 2nd, 2015 at 7:21 am
I am putting together some ideas for a shop
Instead of a market stall . Perhaps that would be a good idea to connect with the community more . We concentrate on connecting with the virtual community but often not enough with the real community
September 2nd, 2015 at 4:40 pm
That sounds like such a great idea. Connecting on a more human level often rewards itself with loyalty and genuine interest and the desire to spread the word. Good luck and go for it!
September 2nd, 2015 at 5:08 pm
I believe it is the retailers that need to convince the people to shop and they need to use their heads (or their hearts)