Music Works Record Shop, Athens, Greece

Representing Greece in the iCrates Balkan Issue is Thanos Arvanitis and his Athenian record store Music Works. Nestled in the Greek capital, Music Works belongs to a number of independent music retailers who have taken the route back to vinyl in the last few years. Selling only new records from a broad range of local and international scenes, Thanos has overseen almost fourteen years of Music Works. Let’s find out what his secret is…

Please introduce yourself: What’s your name and where do you reside?

Hello! My name is Thanos Arvanitis. I am the founder and owner of Music Works, a small record store situated in a NW suburb of Athens, Greece.

Which styles of music do you sell and when was the store established?

We sell a variety of music genres: indie pop/rock, classic pop/rock, ethnic, world, jazz, blues, urban, funk and soul. Obviously, we also try to cover the releases from the local scene as much as possible.

The store opened in 1998, initially selling only CD and DVD’s. However, in the last few years we have started stocking vinyl as well.

How many records do you have in the store?

About 1000 vinyls and 2,500 CD/DVD’s.

Why did you decide to deal with vinyl records as well as CD’s?

It developed as a result of market trend and customer demands. It was natural for me to take this direction, as I was a vinyl collector for many years prior to opening Music Works. Vinyl is the format with the most dynamic infiltration among our clients.

How would you describe your customers?

They are typical of clients of small independent record stores, i.e. “special” – in every sense of the word. They are sophisticated and demanding and cover a wide musical spectrum. They participate and affect the development of Music Works as a “live, interactive, happening club of music lovers”. At the beginning we used to organise in-store signing sessions (Porcupine Tree, The Bevis Frond, local artists/bands), but these days we set up in store live performances from artists who want to promote their releases, exclusively for our clients. Beside that, we organise themed parties and a variety of music related events and projects.

Where do you get your records from?

Distributors, record companies, importers and other record shops.

Do you go digging yourself?

I used to, but not any more. I have trusted friends who notify me if they come across something interesting.

How do you recognise an interesting record?

I have been in the music business for many years, so I trust my intuition! (Particularly with new and upcoming artists/groups). Having said that, I never stock a new title, until I have heard some of it first.

Do you take any regular actions to preserve your records?

We only sell new and sealed records. All our vinyl records are protected with heavyweight PVC sleeves.

Has anyone ever stolen your records?

Not as far as I am aware of… I expect that if my clients want something for free or at reduced price, they will come to me to talk it over. I consider myself a reasonable guy and at best, I would say even generous…

What is your most valuable record?

Various vinyl box sets.

How do you set your prices for rare records?

I look at the usual market places on the internet and often seek advice from other colleagues. Supply and demand is also a crucial factor.

Which one has got the most beautiful cover?

Reptiles by Dr. Atomik.

What will the vinyl business look like in the year 2030?
I hope and wish that the vinyl business will still be thriving long after the year 2030! I believe that – for the bricks and mortar music retailers – customer service, adaptability to the challenges of the internet/technology, and specialist expertise are the factors that will determine whether independent record stores will survive or not.

Please tell us your 5 favourite records…

We’re Only In It For The Money – The Mothers of Invention
My Favorite Things – John Coltrane
The Queen Is Dead – The Smiths
Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan…
(….oh Gosh!…that’s difficult!…)

That’s only 4, but nevermind… Do you do anything besides run the shop?

I DJ occasionally under the pseudonym “sprinkundercosmicdebris” and I have co-produced “Mixed Race” by Clandestinos. This is so far the only release on Music Works Records.

Have you got some interesting/rare records coming in?

People From Outer Space – Allison
Baby Guru – Baby Guru
Barock – Nalyssa Green
Electro Empire – Invisible Rockers Crew
Film Musik – Sotiris Debonos

This last one is a 10″ vinyl-only release including the music for a film that was never shot. It is coming out in 500 numbered copies. It also includes a cd-r with the tracks in mp3 format and a video inspired by the tracks. The video is captured and edited by Socos (of Socos & The Live Project Band). Cinematic, minimal, improvisation – call it what you may. It transforms every time you listen to it.

And finally, could you tell what your top vinyl of the week is?

A Child In The Mirror – Ciccada

Ciccada are a progressive folk rock band from Athens, Greece. They were formed in April 2005 by flutist Nicolas Nikolopoulos and guitarist George Mouhos. Very soon female singer Evangelia Kozoni joined the duo making up the core of the band. The line-up also includes a bass, cello, drums, clarinet and several organs.

A Child in The Mirror, their debut album, was released in 2010 on CD on the Italian Fading Records label. The first 1000 copies pressed were sold out in just a few weeks and there is also a Japanese CD pressing available. A Child In the Mirror was amongst the best progressive album worldwide for 2010 at progarchives.com.

First time on vinyl, deluxe 180g double LP, thick gatefold cover, limited edition, mostly English lyrics. Side Four contains 4 unreleased tracks, among them great versions of Spirogyra’s “Old Boot Wine” and Steeleye Span’s “The Blacksmith”.

And another one? Go on then…

Ti kanoun i Skies Ti Nihta? – Manolis Aggelakis

Is there such thing as contemporary Greek blues, worthy of standing next to dimotika and rebetika? Manolis Aggelakis’ third album, Ti Kanoun I Skies Ti Nihta? (What Shadows Do At Night), is the positive answer with a wink to Tom Waits and Mihalis Souyoul. After Diskoles Meres (Hard Days) and Stamatina Manolis Aggelakis is back with his darkest and loneliest album, to explore the border side of life with sensibility and simplicity. Ti Kanoun I Skies Ti Nihta? resembles that unknown friend at the end of the bar, always available to share a nightcap with you. Aggelakis’ music landscapes are hazy, undefinable and deserted and his stories bitter bites of everyday hardship, with original blues subjects: love, poverty, loneliness, immigration, prison, death. Aggelakis composed, played and recorded the whole album following a more low-fi style, compared with his previous works. The result is original and deeply personal. The album is released on Inner Ear Records in limited edition vinyl and CD.

The shop’s website is http://www.musicworks.gr but, most of the information about the daily running of the shop can be found on their blog: http://musicworksrecords.blogspot.com

Music Works
74 Agias Lavras
Petroupolis
132 31 Athens
Hellas

tel: +30 210 5055255
email: info@musicworks.gr