RECORD STORE DAY: A UniqueXperience Records, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Here at Click Roll Boom we love to promote local bands and local businesses so in honor of Record Store Day on April 23rd we reached out to lots of local record shops in and around Norwich and were surprised to learn the limitations surrounding which shops are able to participate in RSD, I was told in order to stock these special records the shops needed to have a contact/relationship with Universal Records which for small independent stores is somewhat unreachable.
While the stores I spoke to and subsequently e-mailed all seemed keen to share the story of their shop and plans for the future it was only Jan at A UniqueXperience Records in Lowestoft, Suffolk who took the time to tell me a bit about his store. Here's what he had to say:
"In response to your message, here's a little bit about me and my shop, A UniqueXperience Records!
The shop was founded by myself, Jan Mulder, in August 2019. I left my job of six and a half years in the care industry and decided to setup my own business. I was never intending to be a record store - I started with the idea of selling collectables and Doctor Who memorabilia - and was given a box of records by my mum's best friend to sell on her behalf. What that started was nothing short of amazing.
I soon realised that there was nowhere local to buy decent, second-hand vinyl... and with a clear gap in the market, decided to capitalise on it by becoming a record store! On opening day, the desire for vinyl was clear.... and from there, AUX (later expanded to it's full title of A UniqueXperience) was born!
Since then, I've operated out of FOUR different premises, and at one point, even expanded to include a cafe & event space, which ran from the summer of 2020 until January 2021. We held a monthly record club & music quiz night, as well as holding other music themed events, including listening parties, until the sale of our building forced us to move back to simply being a record store in a smaller premises.
With Lowestoft having often been labelled a "rock town", the most popular artists/genres in store are most definitely 70s & 80s heavy rock and metal. I struggle to keep all the classics in stock, with the likes of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull being among the most popular sellers.
The most valuable piece of memorabilia that I've sold is a 7" single of Prince Buster & the all-stars "Try a Little Tenderness", found in the most tatty box of singles you've ever seen! It sold to a buyer in America for £500 back in April 2021. I have an extensive personal collection, the most valuable piece amongst is a sealed copy of the Oasis live album "Familiar to Millions" released in 2000, which retails now for around £750.
I have been unfortunate not to be able to partake in RSD, and don't have any plans this year, as I'm away on holiday that week and will be closed from the Easter weekend onward!
The business is run by myself and my dear mother who often steps in if I'm away at concerts (I do go to a lot of gigs!)
We are looking forward to celebrating our 3rd anniversary this August with some exciting plans including live music instore and the return of our record club.
Thank you for contacting me and I look forward to reading the article!"
