Music store trumpets 30 year milestone

Chris Hart (left) and Marty O'Donnell say fans make greater connections to their bands through LPs and CDs than by shuffling songs on their iPods. Photo / Richard Robinson.

Auckland's famed music store Real Groovy is celebrating its 30th birthday over the long weekend, after weathering financial troubles three years ago and the continued threat of digital downloads.

Owners Marty O'Donnell and Chris Hart said the special deals for club members, prizes and bands playing in store were an opportunity to thank the business' local customers and also celebrate the changing industry of music.

"There have been a number of changes to the industry. The digital download offer has changed the way people consume music, but there is a significant part of the industry where the physical product, CDs, continues to be sold," O'Donnell said.

Real Groovy first opened its doors on Mt Eden Rd in 1981. Less than a year later it moved to the corner of Queen St and City Rd, and then to its current location of 438 Queen St - where it has been for 20 years.

O'Donnell says Real Groovy's point of difference is it trades in music, buying and selling, across a wide category.

Both O'Donnell and Hart are confident of the music industry's future, saying good music will always be made and fans make greater connections to their bands through LPs and CDs than by shuffling songs on their iPods.

"A lot of people still want to own a physical item and it's not just being committed to LP records or to CDs or anything. A lot of people, even kids, if they really like a band, they want a tangible representative for the band. When you are downloading, it's like listening to the radio, you don't have that icon or that thing that is a physical manifestation of your feelings," Hart said.

O'Donnell added: "There is that part of the music-loving population that perceives that the album is a representation of the artist they love, and they want to experience that in its entirety. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the resurgence and interest in the vinyl format. New releases are being produced [on vinyl] and we are selling a significant amount of new vinyl but our point of difference is that we [have a] huge selection of second-hand vinyl."

Real Groovy Records Ltd went into receivership in October 2008. Its Wellington and Christchurch stores were sold as going concerns and the Dunedin store closed. Hart and O'Donnell regrouped with a new backer and relaunched the Auckland store.