We here at Tone Deaf love nothing more than reporting on everything that is music, however sometimes there might be a little bit too much focus on just the artists, and the myriad of work that goes on behind closed doors is forgotten. Remember record stores? For many (including us) record stores have always been a place of education, worship, and community – so to celebrate these great spaces each fortnight we’re reaching out to shine a much deserved spotlight some of our favourite indie record stores.
We recently spoke with Matt Horvath the co-owner (with wife Laura) and creator of Adelaide music institution Clarity Records. Born only in 2010, Clarity has quickly became a champion of all music local, independent, and on wax having made the store a second home for many talented artists and their music.
Born out of necessity, Horvath was inspired to create Clarity after seeing the huge hole was left in the Adelaide independent music industry given the closure of many of the music stores around the city. Specialising in importing music from all around the world, the records has a strong focus on Punk and Hardcore related products and of course keeping the vinyl dream alive. Hovarth ran us through the creation of Clarity, the current climate of Adelaide’s music scene and the promising growth of vinyl’s popularity. For more info on Clarity visit www.clarityrecords.net.
The Birth Of Clarity
“Both myself and my wife Laura started Clarity Records in April 2010. At the time the music retail landscape in Adelaide was pretty poor. A number of key shops around Adelaide had just closed down and there was a big question mark whether an independent music retail shop could survive in Adelaide. I personally had a good idea on how it could work from previous experience working in record stores, so I thought I would put what I had learnt to good use and see if it can work.
After the closure of the independent store I was working at, I had to make a decision with what I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t want to go and get some dead end job at a place I didn’t enjoy and I had always wanted to open my own store. The right place came up, a few things fell into place and here we are today. From my previous employment I could see how an independent record store could work and what I would do differently if I was to ever open my own, so I took this knowledge into opening Clarity Records.”
A Day In The Life Of Clarity Records
“The best part is discovering new music. It’s a pretty stock standard day. Lots of ordering, unpacking stock, talking to customers, answering a lot of questions etc etc. It is all stuff I enjoy (some days more than others). There are definitely slow days where I need to find stuff to do, but sometimes that is retail for you.”
The Climate Of Adelaide’s Music Scene
“Adelaide is a funny place and certainly works differently to other cities interstate. I can see how promoters from interstate can get frustrated with Adelaide, but just because you are putting on a festival with a bunch of washed up bands from the 90s doing a reunion it doesn’t mean people are going to go. Same with local shows, just because you book a venue, book a handful of bands and make a Facebook event, it doesn’t mean people are going to care.
[include_post id=”444051″] The Adelaide music scene has a lot of good bands, venues and people but to make shows work you really do have to promote your event and get people excited about going to your show.
It might seem like hard work but talking from 15 years of experience of putting on shows, it’s not that hard to do and I feel people/promoters find it easier to write off Adelaide instead of putting the effort into making it work. Having said that there a definitely promoters from interstate that continually bring their tours through Adelaide because they know how to make it work.”
Clarity’s Relationship With Adelaide
“The first and most important relationship that has been forged here in Adelaide is between Clarity and our customers. We have so many loyal customers who always make our shop their first port of call when they get into the city. The great new friendships we have made and the amazing people we meet is for me better than any industry related relationship. That is something we are forever grateful for.
We also have good relationships with other stores interstate, where occasionally we could spend time on the phone talking about whats happening in each others state. Whats hot and whats not sort of talk. We have also made friends with a lot of great bands from interstate and overseas who love visiting the store and who are thankful that we stock their stuff. There are always various media outlets who like what we do, and we like what they do so we are always bouncing off each other to try and promote what we are both doing.”
Clarity Records’ Proudest Moments
“Opening our doors was definitely our proudest moment. All the hard work that went into the lead up to that date and the relief of that first days trading was huge. Our past two years Record Store Days have been enormous and it is a good reflection on how far we have come and be proud of what we have helped create.
Finally, the overseas recognition that we get from famous people coming through. Every now and then there will be a big band on tour and band members will come through and be in awe of the store. I am sure they are just being nice, but it is always a good feeling when someone you admire as a musician comes in and also admires your work.”
How Vinyl Has Helped Clarity Grow & Flourish
“Having a main focus in vinyl has been something that has helped sustain Clarity Records, and having a good idea on what our clientele is after. Vinyl keeps going from strength to strength, with more and more demand from customers for the physical format, and without vinyl things could be pretty grim. I also believe there has been a bit of a revolt from music lovers, turning their backs on the poor quality digital format, to the better sounding, better presented vinyl format.”
The Future Of Vinyl Retail?
“I think it is strong. As long a vinyl sales keep going the way they are then I think the future is bright.”
Clarity Records is located on 60 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA, be sure to po by ans say hello. Website: www.clarityrecords.net
