Back in March this year, we were set to present our very first London label showcase at Hidden Sounds Record Store. As part of the event, I was preparing a very special release that would’ve been available only at the event as thank you to everyone who made the trip and to celebrate our first ASIP show in London. Those plans were cancelled due to Covid-19.
Since then, many business and independent record stores like Hidden Sounds have struggled to survive, having to pivot to online sales only, with foot-traffic coming to a complete standstill. Luckily, Hidden Sounds have so far survived, despite no government support or subsidization and despite getting kicked out of their original space just recently too, they’ve found a new home just around the corner above Dalston Market, London.
So, what to do with the records that’ve been sat at the shop waiting for that ASIP event? We don’t anticipate the event to happen again anytime soon given we are still in the middle of it all and I can’t even fly back to the UK, so we had an idea to put the records to good use and help Hidden Sounds a little.
A select amount of copies of ASIPVA01 will now be available at the Hidden Sounds store with all proceeds kept by HS to help with their recovery and new location.
We’re doing this to encourage business for the store and as a thank you to the venue that, despite the event not happening, were an amazing partner for our first London event. So, Londoners (or people willing to make the trip) - head to the new location First Floor, 89 Ridley Rd, Dalston, London E8 2NH, grab a copy and pick up a bunch of other gems whilst you’re there. First come first served.
The small remainder of copies I have of this record will, as originally intended, only be sold via physical events and stores going forward (and a couple of regular ASIP shops already have them if you look hard enough) There are no plans yet to sell this record online. I know this might be frustrating news for many, but we see it as a chance to repay people who go out of their way to attend our shows and a small step in keeping the physical record store a key staple in our culture.
As an avid record collector, witnessing stores revert to online only, and many (and potentially many more to come) shutter their doors, it’s a stark reminder that we need to continue to support our local record store.
Check out the Hidden Sounds Instagram for more info.
To that point, if you’re a physical shop wanting to stock copies of this record - please get in touch.
