MOJO - May 2026

Record Collector - April 2026

https://recordcollectormag.com/news/record-store-day-how-was-it-for-you

Interview with Emmie Macnevin

Record Store Day: how was it for you?!

20 April 2026

Emmie MacNevin popped along to one of her favourite local record shops, Vinyl Shakedown, Burbage, to get the low-down on the big day (18 April), with owner Grant Decker

How long has Vinyl Shakedown been open? 

Nearly three years in this unit, but I’ve always been into music and been in bands. I’ve been a promoter, run music venues, worked in HMV, though I was also a teacher, a real person, for a bit! Now I’m back in music and owning a record shop, which has always been the dream. I started collecting records when I was at university and DJ-ing, and before that it was tapes. Now we’re building a community in our area and we’ve got loads of regular customers, though we had a guy from Devon who’d come just to visit our shop, which blew my mind!

How do you make Record Store Day special? 

Free drinks and alcohol, some DJs, offers on some records with 20% off, and a lucky dip where customers can win free T-shirts, badges and records. I was resident DJ at The Orange Tree in the West Midlands and I’ve DJ’d festivals like Shambala. It makes a nice atmosphere for everyone.

Are you still on the look out for records?

I’ve started delving into jazz, soul and funk recently, as we’ve had some excellent jazz collections in. We’re always looking for metal, soul, funk and hip-hop, too, and I can take the best picks. We’ve been slowly keeping back some really nice stock so that we can have this RSD celebration and some of my favourites are David Bowie’s Blackstar, early pressings of Nirvana, and Kate Bush Hounds Of Love.

Do you prefer collecting vintage original pressings or new reissues?

There’s room for both in my collection. I’m a big Nick Drake fan, so ticking those off the list was pretty tricky, though I prefer early or original pressings, as they hold so much history.

What’s your advice for someone trying to start a collection on a budget?

Don’t be afraid of vinyl that isn’t Mint when you start, as you can always upgrade later. Many 60s and 70s records are incredibly hardy and will play great even if they look well used. Always dig through the bargain bins. We put some incredible albums in the reduced section if we have multiple copies or if they’re not perfect. Tell everyone that you collect records, and you’ll be surprised how many family and friends will have a box in the loft they don’t want! And chat to your local record shop. They’ll be delighted to help with deals, recommendations and looking out for things you want. 

Your Record Store Day stories

Emmie collared some customers to ask them about their best RSD action:

“I’ve bought quite a few records on impulse. One of my favourites was His’n’Hers by Pulp, though I do prefer new releases over vintage and original pressings because of the sound quality” – Glynn Marlow

“I have a really nice The Doors album. 1,000 of them were pressed and I got No 11. I buy records on impulse all the time. I never look for something. A record just catches my eye!” – Darrell of Hinckley

“I’m still on the hunt for a Cocteau Twins album that I lost it in 1980 when I moved house. I saw the RSD story on Vinyl Shakedown’s Instagram this morning and I’m going to have to hunt it down!” – John Ross

“This is the first time that we’ve been here, though I follow the shop on Facebook. We’ve come from Mansfield and within five minutes our hands are already full!” – Colin Ellis

“I’m not really on the hunt for anything specific as I have a big wish-list. I’ve not been collecting very long” – Matt Lock 

“I have an ever-growing wish-list, and I’m on the hunt for some Siouxsie & The Banshees, ABBA, David Bowie and Kate Bush today” – Joanne of Leicester

RC also took in some of the RSD action in London’s Soho, where Sounds Of The Universe had ingeniously placed all their RSD stock at the front counter in well-labelled/separated and numerical order as per the RSD list, making it very easy to hone in on your Wants. Reckless had their list up in the window, with the stock behind the counter, Sister Ray still had queues mid-afternoon, patiently waiting for access to list items at the counter, and Phonica was overflowing into the street – mini-festival busy!