QRD – Why did you start your store?

Dave – Lack of a niche record store in the city.

QRD – How does your store particularly appeal to your city?

Dave – We are the only real record store left.

QRD – What’s a mistake you’ve made with your store that you’d warn others against? 

Dave – Sell your stock!

QRD – What do you think indie record labels could do to best help both themselves & indie stores?

Dave – Make good records & don’t give your stuff away for free.

QRD – How was the representation of indie storeowners & customers in the movie High Fidelity accurate & inaccurate to your experience?

Dave – Ha-ha!  Pretty close really.

QRD – What type of research do you do to decide what to put on the shelves?

Dave – Listen to everything.

QRD – Is it ever difficult to find the right distributors to get something you want to stock?

Dave – Yes, but only for the classic vinyl re-issues.

QRD – What do you wish labels or bands or distributors did more of to work with you?

Dave – Send more promo copies & coop ads in zines.

QRD – What do you think is your store’s all time best seller?

Dave – Modest Mouse.

QRD – What do you think most leads to a particular record being a good seller in your store?

Dave – A title that is not carried at the chain stores.

QRD – How does one get an independent release into your store such that it’s recommended to the clientele instead of just sitting on the shelf?

Dave – Make a good record & deal direct if you have to.

QRD – How do you feel about so many stores closing & how does it affect you if at all?

Dave – It is disenchanting, but business is good.

QRD – What type of competition do you get from the big box stores (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc.) & is it difficult to compete price-wise - i.e., do you find that potential customers will shop at the chain because they can afford to charge less for the same discs or do they support you if the disc is a dollar higher in price?

Dave – We will not even try to compete; why bother, just do the other things better.

QRD – With portable MP3 players & iTunes, is the concept of the album (in any form) dying?

Dave – Yes, it is unfortunately unless the copyright laws are reformed.

QRD – How has the downloading scene impacted your sales - do you find that people buy less CDs now because they can download them for less or do you or do you think illegal downloads are more of a culprit?

Dave – Illegal downloads must stop.

QRD – Record & CD buyers tend to be of a certain age (21-34), as the upcoming people who will be of that age group are mostly download-buyers, would you like stores to eventually have “iPod filling stations” hooked up to an indie network that stores can be part of?

Dave – That could work, but then what about the artwork etc?

QRD – With the increase in digital downloads, low prices in mega-chains, & so many online specialty stores; what is the job of the local indie shop now compared to in the 1990s?

Dave – Maintain the “Aura” of the record store & get people off their computers.

QRD – What are the biggest misconceptions people have of record stores in general & yours in particular?

Dave – That we have everything.

QRD – What is the most frustrating &/or frequent question you get from customers?

Dave – When special orders cannot be filled.

QRD – How do you decide who to hire as an employee & when you need one?

Dave – Very carefully.

QRD – If you weren’t in the music business, what would you do?

Dave – Selling tacos.

QRD – How did your schooling & previous work experience prepare (or not prepare) you for your store?

Dave – Not at all.

QRD – Have you ever refused to sell something purely because you disliked the music, even if it was popular & would sell?

Dave – Yes.

QRD – What is your personal “holy grail”? (i.e. the one rarity you’ve been looking for forever.)

Dave – There are many.

QRD – What makes you feel like you had a good day at the store?

Dave – Great sales.

QRD – Anything else?

Dave – Illegal downloading must stop.  Copyright laws are outdated & must be reformed.

Sloth Records on MySpace