Diverse Vinyl is a record store and independent record label based in Newport, Wales. It is the UK's largest retailer of new vinyl records.[1]

Diverse Vinyl
Welsh: Cerddoriaeth Amrywiol
Diverse Music, at 10 Charles Street, Newport
Map
Address10 Charles Street, NP20 1JU
LocationNewport, Wales
Coordinates51°35′08″N 2°59′44″W / 51.585600°N 2.995550°W / 51.585600; -2.995550
OwnerJohn Richards (founder)
Paul Hawkins
Matt Jarrett
TypeMusic venue, record store and label
Genre(s)Various
Seating typeStanding
Opened1988
Website
www.diversevinyl.com

History

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It was established in 1995[2] by Paul Hawkins. Having opened as an LP mail order department, "a time when vinyl was in its darkest days".[3] Hawkins has described being (at the time) one of the only South Wales record stores with a wide enough range of vinyl records, with only Spillers Records in Cardiff (the oldest surviving store in the world) serving for regional competition.

During the period, similar businesses including Rough Trade Records faced closure, with the growth of CD and later digital audio rendering vinyl recordings expensive and inefficient.

Modern era

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In 2002, the store started its independent record label, Diverse Records, which has gone on to release over 50 records, including the first vinyl printing of an Alison Krauss record, as well as popular bands including Idlewild and modern names like Laura Marling.[4]

In recent years, the store has enjoyed a revival, along with the 2000s vinyl revival. The store and others has been particularly helped by the establishment of Record Store Day, which has brought attention, business, and events to local record stores across the UK.

In April 2019, the business re-launched its website, which has served as one of the largest online retailers of LPs.

The same month, for Record Store Day 2019 the store enjoyed queues of 80 people before opening, as people travelled from around the UK to the city. Music was performed both at the store as well as live venues across the city, from The Murenger, Tiny Rebel Urban Taphouse, Newport Market's Gallery Space, Le Public Space, McCann's Rock 'n' Ale Bar, and Slipping Jimmy's.[5]

Artists

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Acts published by Diverse Records include:[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Talking Shop: Diverse Music, Newport". Long Live Vinyl. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Talking Shop: Diverse Music, Newport". Long Live Vinyl. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Diverse Vinyl". All good record shops. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Talking Shop: Diverse Music, Newport". Long Live Vinyl. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  5. ^ "Music fans from far and wide head to Newport for Record Store Day". South Wales Argus. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  6. ^ "About Us". diverserecords.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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