“I’d rather get an obscure Bollywood record than a rare Beatles album, to be honest. It’s just more interesting.”
Dan Smith is the proud owner of Hebden Bridge Records. Based out of Valley Antiques Centre, the business is now in its tenth year and going strong. That in itself is some achievement, considering the many pressures on retail outlets during the period.
Dan: “I started off with just a few boxes of records in an antiques centre. Places like that are run centrally so it takes care of itself. It’s worked really well. I’ve since opened up lots of little satellite places. I’m now in a bookshop in Littleborough, George Kelsall Booksellers, and a new place that’s just opened up in Todmorden, called Antiques and Collectibles. I’ve got a small selection in Pennine Guitar Centre too.”
Such longevity is a testament to Dan’s abundant passion. That and the fact he operates a little differently to most.
”I’m really, really into the music. They’re not just units to me. Some people are into selling records purely to make money, and that’s fine, but it’s just not me. I’m almost too into it.”
There is no bluster here. Burnley-born Dan, who also works for an auction house doing record and book valuations, is a man of his word. He has a pure, ethical (you might even say socialist) approach to the market economics of buying and selling records. He is refreshingly honest and often handles collections through honourable agreement.
“A few years ago I had this incredible collection of mint and near-mint records from the 1960s. It was amazing. I couldn’t work out how it had happened, how they were in such good condition. That effects the price exponentially, so it was really hard to value. In the end, I did a commission-based system. It’s a fine line, purchasing records at a fair price. So, where possible, I send people additional money if things out-perform my expectations. It’s nice to be able to do this from time to time.”
“I don’t want to make extra money off people. I need to make a living, of course, but I like to find a balance. It took 18 months to sell that collection but it meant I got a decent cut and they got the money they deserved.”
Dan’s generous tendencies and a zeal for sniffing out unusual records have served him well. His customers are consistently delighted.
“The shop is only ever as good as the stock coming in. I try to have a range from, say, ELO through to library stuff. And I try to re-stock frequently so the regulars who come in are seeing fresh, new stuff. The main shop is a nice size, about 100 square foot, so I can re-stock it weekly.”
Keeping things fresh, Dan shuns the mainstream distribution of new releases and strategic reissues in favour of more unusual channels: dusty library boxes, house clearances and customers recycling niche segments of their much-loved treasure troves.
“Most of the stuff, around 95%, is second-hand. Then I stock new releases from local labels, like Basin Rock, Finders Keepers, AnalogueTrash and Folklore Tapes. They’re all doing really interesting things. And it gives them a physical presence.”
“If someone comes in and asks for a copy of Rumours, I might have it. If it’s in, it’s in. But I wouldn’t buy 20 copies wholesale just so there’s always one here. It’d be easy to do, but it’s not what the shop’s about.”
“I’d also sooner have 100 records at £10 each for the racks than a single £1,000 record, which can become a bit of a millstone. You’re unlikely to sell, say, Led Zeppelin I with the turquoise text in the shop during an afternoon. Those individual classic rarities, or scarcities, that are worth a lot of money, can be hard work. I sell some stuff online, but that has its difficulties too, especially since Brexit, so I like to give everything a chance in the shop first.”
One thing that strikes me from talking to Dan is just how connected he is to so many personalities in the local community – and beyond: record hunters, musicians, label owners, venue promoters, property-sellers, tourists.
On top of his main enterprise, Dan also entertains punters at Barbary’s in Mytholmroyd where he co-hosts a DJ night, Land Ho!, spinning diverse, exotic sounds from around the globe. He plays guitar too. He’s currently in a couple of bands – Resting State and Warm Parts.
“I’ve always been into Mogwai, Boards of Canada and DIIV. And people like Robert Fripp. Lots of open D tuning. Lots of delay and reverb. Lots of delay!”
You get the sense there’s a neat circular motion to all this. Dan’s extensive knowledge is sharpened by the plethora of musical interactions he maintains. And in turn, he generously shares his ever-growing expertise to the benefit of his many customers.
All in all, it seems like a wonderful way to run a local business.
Support local
Visit Dan’s main shop, Hebden Bridge Records, at: Pennine Industrial Park, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge. HX7 7BZ.
Follow Hebden Bridge Records on facebook.
Words & media: Stephen Desmond
