April 22 | Article Written By Kirsten Moreton

In honour of Record Store Day, it is important to take a look at some of the incredible record shops that help bring life to record collecting and the music scene in Scotland. Chatting to these business owner’s give incredible insight into record collecting and what makes record collecting so special. The Music Mag were lucky enough to discuss these with owner Lee from Dundee’s, Thirteen Records, a store which was born out of Dundee’s beloved Groucho’s and is the perfect store for any loved for record collecting. The store has also appeared on our list of must visit record stores in Scotland. Continue reading to discover more about this incredible shop as well as the story of how it came to be.

What is the story behind Thirteen Records, how did it begin?

Thirteen Records began from the ashes of the old Groucho’s record shop, which traded from 1976 until 2020. After the owner, Alastair Brodie (known to many as Breeks) passed away in 2019, myself(Lee), Moog and Frank continued to keep the shop running for around another year. In 2020 after the first Covid Lockdown Breeks’ family made the decision to close the shop for good, prompting the three of us to look for a space and set up on our own. We got the keys to the new shop in August 2020 and opened up the following month in September.

What are the current aims for Thirteen Records?

Our aim has always been the same since we were in Groucho’s, and that is just to provide people with a good Record Shop experience. We try to keep fresh second hand stock going out every day, as well as curated weekly new releases. With pricing, we always try to be as fair as we can when it comes to buying and selling.

What do you love about record collecting?

My personal favourite thing about record collecting is the never ending pursuit. It doesn’t matter how many records you have bought in your life, you’re always going to find something new that you want. I love going to record shops with no idea of what I want, and just seeing what finds me.

Favourite record in the shop or your collection?

Favourite record in the shop at the minute would probably have to be MF DOOM and Madlibs Madvillainy album. Favourite in my personal collection? Almost impossible to say. I’ll go with Big L – Lifestyles Ov Da Poor And Dangerous or the Otis Redding side of Otis / Hendrix live at the Monterey pop festival. Ask me again tomorrow for a completely different answer!

Do you have a dream record you wish you could own?

Gary Bartz – I’ve known Rivers And Other Bodies. Phenomenal spiritual jazz album. Jazz Liberatorz – Clin D’oeil. Incredible French Jazzy hip – hop album These two are the first to come to mind, again ask me tomorrow and you’ll probably get a different answer!

What are the plans for RSD? What records have you got in stock?

We don’t have any in store events for RSD this year but we have stocked a nice and varied range of titles. You can check our Facebook and Instagram to see everything we will have, including prices!

Do you think record store day is important in supporting small shops?

Opinions on Record Store Day seem to grow more contentious with each year, with people citing positive and negative effects the day has in the long term. I’ve always felt that at the end of the day, getting people through the door of a record shop can never ever be a bad thing! To have a day where so many people make an effort to come in to a physical record shop, whether it’s my shop or someone else’s, is genuinely quite heart warming.

What would you say to record collectors to urge them into supporting small shops over bigger companies such as HMV?

I think record collector’s will always need small Indie shop like us. Bigger stores are fine for what they are, but the real heart of a record shop lies in it’s second hand stock. If you can get good records in and sell them for fair prices then people will always come back. When you’ve picked up something a bit odd, or something you have been trying to find for ages, you always remember the shop you got it in. And usually you’ll keep your carrier bag as well!

Likewise, do you think in person record collecting is important when so much variety is available online?

I always say to people the biggest difference between buying records online and going into record shops, is that people that only buy online only buy the records that they want. That might sound a bit silly, but one of the best things about record shops is coming across something that had been completely deleted from your brain and buying it, knowing that you would never in a million years have thought to look for it until it appeared in front of you. Then you start going down the rabbit holes you had forgotten about and finding more stuff you used to listen to, and some of the things that passed you by at the time.

Where do you see the company in 10 years, what are the goals?

In ten years I see us exactly where we are, in the heart of Dundee City Centre doing what we do best.

Why do you think vinyl has lasted better than other ways of listening to music such as cassettes?

It’s juts a really great medium for listening to music. Vinyl sounds great, and looks great. There’s something about thumbing through album sleeves that just seems to connect you to the music. Vinyl is just more of an engaging experience than other formats. (In my opinion!)

How did the pandemic affect record collecting and record stores including Thirteen Records?

The Pandemic probably had an entirely different effect on us than other record shops, as it was our birth! It was a massive challenge to set up a new business in the middle of a worldwide shutdown, but we did it, and we’re still here!

Do you think vinyl is important in the digital age of music?

Vinyl is important in the digital age, but I guess only to people who buy it! I don’t really have anything against people streaming music to be honest, its easy, cheap and convenient. I just feel that for people who like collecting (not just necessarily records) having something physical that you can hold in your hands (and sell when you’re skint!) will always be important.

The music industry In Scotland is small, do you find a sense of community in record collecting and between collectors and artists?

I have always found that record shops in general will generate an excellent community. We had hundreds of customers who were faithful to Groucho’s, who now make a point to come and see us here. People know that they can come in here without feeling pressured to buy anything, and just have a good blether and a cup of tea!

How does Thirteen Records, stand out against other shops? What makes it different?

Well the blindingly bright yellow shop front definitely helps! But we are a shop that is run by genuine record collectors, and music lovers. Anytime you go into a shop where the people behind the counter really know their stuff it translates into a great shop. Fair pricing and good stock turned over regularly is the key.

Is there a story behind the name Thirteen Records?

Our name comes from a song by a band called Big Star. That’s also where the ‘Big Star’ on the window comes from. The three of us all have really varied and extensive tastes in music, so we had to come up with something we all loved equally. Big Star was a no brainer. Listening to #1 Record is a pre-requisite to working in any record shop!

What got you into vinyl and record collecting?

I personally started buying cd’s when I was a teenager and got into vinyl a bit later. And to be honest, I still recommend younger teenagers start out with cd’s! You can them up really cheap now, and it’s a great way to discover new music. When I was younger I would go into Groucho’s and buy albums by any bands I had heard of, just to see what they sounded like. Sometimes they were awful but they were cheap enough that you could afford to take the risk! When you’re not working yet and just getting by on pocket money from mum or dad cd’s are your best friend.

Could you give us an interesting story from over the years? Any memorable moments?

On the old Groucho’s website, we had a fantastic section titled ‘Dinna Ask’ which was filled with years worth of funny customer interactions. The website is unfortunately dead now and along with it the content of the page. A couple of favourites from the top of my head:

Customer: What time does the gig at Fat Sams start tonight

Staff: The Doors open at 8

Customer: What are the Doors playing as well??

Customer: Do You have any Wig Tape

Staff: Wig Tape?

Customer: Aye, wig tape

Staff: What, like Wigan casino cassette tapes?

Customer : (Looking around, presumably noticing he was in a second hand record shop)

No, tape for sticking your wig to your head!

Customer: Do yous buy records?

Staff: We do, just depends what kind of stuff

Customer: Do I have to pay you to buy them?

(Interesting concept!)

Finally, is there anything you would like to let people know about Thirteen Records?

Just that we are here! We are open every day of the week, and have new vinyl going out for sale almost every day. You can phone us, message us, or just pop in and say hello!

Make sure to pop into Thirteen Record’s, check out all they have to offer and support an incredible independent shop this Record Store Day! A big thank you to Lee for taking the time to answer our RSD question’s! Keep an eye out for some insight into more shops coming to The Music Mag soon as well as our interview with Aberdeen’s Red Robin Record’s.