The crate-digging, record-spinning former Deputy Prime Minister and Federal member for Grayndler, Anthony ‘DJ Albo’ Albanese, has just been announced as the final ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day.
Wasting no time at all, he’s getting started by putting together a mixtape for us ahead of the event, celebrating some of his favourite indie rock tunes.
“Great independent rock music not only gets people moving, but also speaks to the soul,” he tells us. “I’m attracted to music that, like all great art, stands up to the passage of time. I heard many of the songs on this list for the first time when I was a student. But they still make me smile whenever I hear them. I hope you do too.”
Of course, DJ Albo has a long history with music, and makes perfect sense as an RSD ambassador. He’s jumped up to play sets at iconic venues like the Corner Hotel and the Newtown Social club to raise donations for music charity Reclink, and has even had a go at hosting rage.
He now represents Record Store Day alongside the likes of The Choirboys’ Mark Gable, The Go-Betweens’ Robert Forster, hip hop duo A.B. Original and country artist Catherine Britt, so he’s in very good company.
Record Store Day all goes down on Saturday April 22, with over 180 independent music shops across Australia getting involved, with exclusive releases and limited edition vinyl, and plenty of gigs to be had.
You can find out more here, and give DJ Albo’s mix a run below – accompanied by a pic of the man himself as a young music-lover.
