Record Store Day: MDR label launch

Recluse comes down from the mountain…

As announced at the end of March (recap), a new micro-label is set to officially launch on record store day under the title Mountain Dwelling Recluse Records, or MDR for short. The Irish independent label will release limited run records from Daniel Martin Moore, Relatives and Knuckles to name but a few of the talented types to have already teamed up with team MDR. Founder (and guitarist of Cork band Remma) Colm O’Herlihy checked in with The G-Man ahead of an extremely big day for him and his team.

The G-Man: What is your favourite record store, where is it located and why does it hold a special place in your heart?
Colm: Well, that’s got to be Plugd in Cork. It’s pretty much the epicentre of the music scene here, any gigs, records or help you may need they’ll take care of you. What more could you ask for?

In January HMV closed its doors in Ireland yet independent record stores (such as Plugd) live on. What role do you feel local independent record stores play in the community as opposed to large chains?
There was nothing personal about chain stores. You were just another customer..after customer. Independent stores value their customers, they know you by name, know your tastes, offer advice. That’s why they’ll succeed.

What is the first record you have ever bought?
It was Morrissey – Viva Hate, on cassette tape.

Do you visit record stores when on tour? What is the weirdest (or simply most original) record store that you have ever visited?
When I was on tour last year with Chelsea Crowell, we would visit a record store in every city or town we played. Our tour manager actually bought a vinyl player at a yard sale and we somehow managed to hook it up to the van speakers and on long stretches of road it would work a treat. The most unusual record store was probably in Cleveland, they have a record store underneath The Beachland Ballroom, which is open ’til 3am, we watched a show and headed down after… bad idea. Lot’s of erratic purchases because of the alcohol influences. Wuxtry Records in Athens, Georgia is also an incredible store.

Being as truthful as you possibly can, what record is your guiltiest pleasure?
I have the Ray Parker Jr Ghostbusters theme song on vinyl, it has a dub instrumental version as a B-side. It gets more plays than you’d expect.

What would you say to a young music lover who has never visited a record store before?
Prepare to have your mind blown.

Describe your last record shopping trip?
It was yesterday in Mother Jones’ Flea Market. I bought 3 vinyl for a friend who just recently bought a record player. The LPs were quite varied…I bought one just because the cover was hilarious. I wish I had a better answer.

What does Record Store Day mean for you?
I have only great memories surrounding Record Store Day, it’s always an exciting time. I’m launching my own label this year on the same day [April 20th] and we have 3 EPs coming out. This year will be a lot more memorable than most.

April 20th 2013 will be the sixth annual record store day. Any fond memories from previous Record Store Days that you would like to share?
I spent my last Record Store Day in Nashville, we headed to Grimey’s, Nashville’s finest record store, and got to see Caitlin Rose, Jeff The Brotherhood and William Tyler perform for free in the carpark. It’s such a huge deal in the US that I hope it really grows over here.

Describe what it felt like the first time you saw one of your releases in a record store.
My first record [with Remma] was released when I was 17, it came out on Morrissey‘s signature label Attack Records. He also released Nancy Sinatra, Jobriath, James Maker, all on the same day. The first time I saw it on the shelf was in HMV Cork. It was just a dream come true, to pick up and buy your own CD gave me such an incredible feeling of pride and disbelief.

Tom Waits has said “Folks who work here are professors. Don’t replace all the knowers with guessers: keep ’em open, they’re the ears of the town.” What do you think of that quote?
Couldn’t have put it better. Plugd closed down for a few months a couple years ago and there was utter fear around the place for a while. Record stores are the heart and soul of a city. Music drives us all.

If you owned a record store, what would you name it?
Just For The Record.

Why would you be an amazing/terrible record store owner?
I don’t know how I’d fare. It takes a lot of patience and people skills, as well as a vast knowledge of every genre. I’m quite picky when it comes to music I like, I’d only cater to a small amount of people. I think I’ll leave it to the pros.

For more on MDR Recordings visit:

– Record Store Day takes place across thousands of independent record stores on Saturday, 20th April
– For further Record Store Day content click here