Assai Records
I really couldn’t start a a music blog/website and not write about my favourite record shop Assai Records or as my partner would say my 2nd home, not sure if it is because I spend so much time there or I spend that much it could pay for a 2nd mortgage !!
Assai have two stores one in Dundee which this blog is going to focus on and one in Edinburgh and are owned by Keith and Clare Ingram.
There are a few strings to the bow with Assai, firstly there is the shop and the amazing range of vinyl they stock.
The shop is well organised and split into genre sections which makes looking for LP’s very straightforward, one of the sections is dedicated to the Scottish music scene and contains a huge range of music from all genres of Scottish artists.
In addition to the vinyl, they also stock the hardware needed to play it, with their own range and also leading manufacturer Pro-Ject.
They also stock a range of books, T-shirts and other related bits and pieces.
A huge shout out to the staff who are all very knowledgeable, extremely helpful, great service and good chat, especially store manager Matthew and Gary who are there more often than not.
The Assai team also work hard to bring both local acts and big name acts to Dundee to do in-store or out-store album launch shows. In 2019 to name a few they brought The Twilight Sad, Malcolm Middleton, Tom Walker, Idlewild, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Divine Comedy, Two Door Cinema Club, Sam Fender, Billy Mitchell, Shhe, The Ninth Wave, The Xcerts, Snow Patrol.
And already in 2020 we have had Vukovi, Twin Atlantic with shows planned for Echo Machine and Circa Waves.
As if that is not enough they also have their own Assai record label and have supported local talent by pressing their music on vinyl, artists include Carousel, Brownbear, Billy Mitchell, Hamish Hawk, Kyle Falconer and the soon to be released debut LP from the brilliant Echo Machine.
Last year saw them nominated for the Long Live Vinyl record shop of the year which they narrowly missed out on, but they did walk away with an award for Dundee’s Retail Business of the Year and they have just been nominated for the Independent Retailer of the Year 2020 for MusicWeek.
So a huge shout out to Keith and his team for everything they do to keep Dundee on the music map.
To discover the shop either pop in and see the guys in Union Street, Dundee or if you are further afield click on the link below:
Or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/pg/assaiuk/about/?ref=page_internal
