DiHi Records
Because Vinyl Sounds Better
Homepage: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51445&id=203786232986156#!/pages/DiHi-Records/186124981426631
Feature By: Jonathan Earley
C-buz: Could you explain the whole process of transitioning from Music for a Song at the Outlet Center to this new shop?
Kyle Willey: Well, we are not affiliated in any way with that shop. We felt (at the time Jarrett and I both worked there) confined by the corporate side of everything. Now that we own our own shop we can carry a larger variety of music, less novelty items, and a focus on local / independent music as well as classic LPs and movies that may be a hard to find around Columbus.
CB: At what point did you have the idea to open your own record store and at what point did you take your first step to making it happen?
KW: We both always wanted our own store but, individually it just wasn't going to happen. I mentioned to Jarrett about a year ago I wanted to take some money and open up a shop starting out with my personal record collection of about 1,000. It never happened because I just couldn't afford it alone and I sold my collection. A few months ago Jarrett contacted me and said if I wanted to do it still we could become a partnership and make it happen. We knew it would be tough (and it was). We got some inventory over the course of a couple months. We sold a lot of things we really didn't want to loose and in the end I think we are better off for it.
CB: Is this going to be your full time job? If not, do you plan on it being full time eventually?
KW: Yes, this is a full time job for both of us. We are both married with children and this store is supporting our families. We are taking a risk but we trust that this is something Columbus has wanted and needed for a long time. No more long trips to another city or waiting on internet orders (unless you'd like a special order which we are always glad to look for).
CB: Where will you be getting your inventory from? Who are your vendors?
KW: We are buying from individual customers, we trade as well. Also, we have contacts to buy bulk vinyl lots through out the U.S. from independent vendors and collectors. Some labels we work directly with for new inventory, and some distributors like Revolver and others.
CB: A lot of retail has shipped to online in the past several years. Do you see this as a challenge in any way to having a physical location? If so, what steps are you guys taking to meet that challenge?
KW: You order something, you may buy the same record several times before
you get one in the condition you were looking for, or it may be the
wrong pressing, or even worse...the wrong record. Shipping fees, long
waits, and unreliable auctioneers have made it tough for vinyl
collectors. An in-store merchant scenario alleviates that anxiety about
what you are paying for and gives a support to the local community
instead of a large corporation.
“As vinyl enthusiasts ourselves, I'd say it's safe to say people like to look at an album, hold it, maybe even throw it on a decent system before making a leap.”
CB: You mentioned having shows. How often do you see those happening? What types of acts will you have?
KW: Well, as of right now we are unsure. Our first show will be the 16th of April. It will be a mostly acoustic set. We are experimenting with how loud things can be at our location. The size of the store, when used for a venue is not the biggest in the world so these will be more intimate sets. It Goes On, a punk act from here in town will play acoustic, our good friend Tilford Sellers will perform some country music, and we will have more acts TBA. We were hoping for Quick Said The Bird and Th'empires, but they are both unavailable. Maybe next time...
CB: Do you see a this store attracting customers from other cities? Is that one of your goals?
KW: Columbus is in a unique area. To get to the bigger cities from a lot of places you have to go through here. So if someone is traveling to somewhere further for vinyl, I'd hope they'd come here. We'd like to see this happen more and more frequently. For now, Columbus locals have been very supportive with a great turn out on our first day and are spreading the word for us quickly.
CB: What all is going to make your store unique and different from most record stores out there?
KW: For one we will carry vinyl, haha. That seems to be in short supply these days. We aren't like some music stores that have some crutch like selling pipes or something else to pay the rent. We are a music store first and for most. That is where 90 percent of our business will come from. The other 10 from books, DVDs, and services like converting vinyl to cd, if you have a cd for your band we do bulk duplications and even leveling, and things that tie in to the classic music store concept.
CB: Will you take requests for what types of inventory you carry?
KW: Oh, of course. We are always looking for input. If you see something that isn't there, tell us. Except the Eagles or related projects. We will not carry those. We chose one band not to carry as an experiment and they won the prize. However if you have any Eagles related merchandise you'd like to destroy, bring it in. We may be inclined to reward you for your donation to our dumpster.
CB: Do you think being next door to Skeleton Crew will help you out?
KW: I think it's safe to say most people who like tattoos generally like music. I don't think that's a far stretch. I'd like to hope (even though they have been there far longer) we can help attract people to them as well. They are a great bunch of guys. I know at least one artist has already became a customer.