Mike's Music Store

Since young I was always fascinated by a shop in my local town. This shop was so interesting, colourful, atmospheric and always filled with music. It was exciting. I still live in the same town, and it wasn't until I was back from University when I walked past this shop again and went in.

Mike and his music store has been there for over twenty years, my grandparents and parents all used to use this shop and you would not find another like this. The shop has barely changed from the first day it opened. Stacks of records block everywhere path. It's filled with vinyl sleeves on the walls, you can taste the atmosphere of the seventies rock and roll and classic artists that influenced our generation. It is a rare sight, but also holds one amazing character Mike. Through these photographs I try to display his dedication, passion and knowledge for music. Sadly after photographing I have recently found that he is retiring and closing the shop. It will be a loss and an end of an era to see a shop that stood against the big competitors but fought for the relationship and love with music.

Below is a slideshow of the photographs edited with interview's with Mike. The song is one of his favorite records.

Once movie buffed, it may need forwarding to 1 second for it to play.

Mike behind his counter, you get a sense for the size and how compact his shop is.

He constantly checks his stock for customers that come in, call over the phone and email.

Mike receives allot of records that people leave outside for him to sell.

First love music, second love tea.

I was surprised at the amount of phone calls that Mike received regarding records, allot of his stock is rare.

Mike also put's his records on ebay.

When I asked him what was his favourite artist when he grew up, he rushed to find this record. For me, this displayed his passion and love for music.

The decor is still in the same condition when he opened over twenty years ago, and this beautiful retro floor is hidden by boxes of records.