Josey Records Turns Five!
Blog > Josey Records Turns Five!
Written by Jeremy Hallock
Posted October 10, 2019In just five years, Josey Records became the best record store in Dallas, a one-stop shop with regular events including live performances from its state-of-the-art stage and DJ booth. They also opened three more locations and bought a vinyl record pressing plant, rare feats for an independent record store. Owners Waric Cameron and Luke Sardello say we can expect more stores and other new ventures in the coming years, but for now it is time to celebrate.
On October 19 and 20, a five-year birthday party will include a sidewalk sale, deep storewide discounts, giveaways, food, drinks, and live performances from DJs and bands.
What may have seemed like the unfolding of a five-year plan, or perhaps a masterplan, was really just an attempt at having a successful record store.
“What we know now that we didn’t know when we started is that vinyl wasn’t a trend,” Sardello says. “It’s outlasted every other format and people are still into it as much as they were five years ago, if not more so. People just want something tangible. Digital music is just so disposable. It’s led to musical ADD. People are just constantly on to the next thing. Records help define an artist’s vision and give a visual aspect that is missing from digital music.”
It is also worth noting that vinyl records are expected to outsell CDs by the end of the year. Cassettes have already made a comeback and with ’80s nostalgia starting to fade, a ’90s nostalgia seems inevitable, which could mean CDs will rise again. The future seems bright for all physical media.
“And there is still so much music that is not available digitally,” Sardello adds. “Record stores preserve part of America’s musical history. Some music would just disappear if not for record stores.”
“We’ve ventured into other products, but it’s all about records,” Cameron says, when asked about what it takes to have a successful record store. “Work hard and know your customers. We know more about our customer base now and we’ve tailored to that.”
Cameron says seeing artists like Q-Tip and André 3000 in the store were some of his favorite moments so far.
“Buying and digging through collections is my favorite part,” says Sardello. “But there’s definitely a cultural and community element to what we do. It reminds me of growing up in Oak Cliff. I would go to Peaches and hangout for several hours and just dig around, discovering new records. That’s something we are trying to recreate. People who come in three or four times a week remind me of what I did as a kid. And we have people from all over the world shopping here.”
“Josey Records has never been about us,” Cameron says. “It’s so much bigger now.”
On October 19 and 20, a five-year birthday party will include a sidewalk sale, deep storewide discounts, giveaways, food, drinks, and live performances from DJs and bands.
What may have seemed like the unfolding of a five-year plan, or perhaps a masterplan, was really just an attempt at having a successful record store.
“What we know now that we didn’t know when we started is that vinyl wasn’t a trend,” Sardello says. “It’s outlasted every other format and people are still into it as much as they were five years ago, if not more so. People just want something tangible. Digital music is just so disposable. It’s led to musical ADD. People are just constantly on to the next thing. Records help define an artist’s vision and give a visual aspect that is missing from digital music.”
It is also worth noting that vinyl records are expected to outsell CDs by the end of the year. Cassettes have already made a comeback and with ’80s nostalgia starting to fade, a ’90s nostalgia seems inevitable, which could mean CDs will rise again. The future seems bright for all physical media.
“And there is still so much music that is not available digitally,” Sardello adds. “Record stores preserve part of America’s musical history. Some music would just disappear if not for record stores.”
“We’ve ventured into other products, but it’s all about records,” Cameron says, when asked about what it takes to have a successful record store. “Work hard and know your customers. We know more about our customer base now and we’ve tailored to that.”
Cameron says seeing artists like Q-Tip and André 3000 in the store were some of his favorite moments so far.
“Buying and digging through collections is my favorite part,” says Sardello. “But there’s definitely a cultural and community element to what we do. It reminds me of growing up in Oak Cliff. I would go to Peaches and hangout for several hours and just dig around, discovering new records. That’s something we are trying to recreate. People who come in three or four times a week remind me of what I did as a kid. And we have people from all over the world shopping here.”
“Josey Records has never been about us,” Cameron says. “It’s so much bigger now.”
