Berlin, Kreuzberg, on a cold winter day, but the sun is fallin into Wowsville’s huge window front only illuminating a small part of what looks like a comfortable cafe-bar, like you find them on most corners in this quarter. A step inside though, soon reveals that there is more to it, a great collection of beat, hammer horror and 1950′s kult movie posters with the occasional Punk band portrait sprinkled amongst them has been assembled on its walls. The soundtrack to the place is just as the decoration suggests: raw, obscure and cultic – Wowsville! The actual recordstore is adjoining the rear, separated by a glass partition. The cellar only reveals itself at nights for the ocassional moviescreening or private parties.
The man behind this project is Alberto Camarasa and as i enter he looks up from behind his MacBook, greets and offers me one of his outstanding coffees. This i can’t refuse, and soon we are settled for a chat about his story and vinyl.
Tell me a little about yourself, your history and the current shop?
My name is Alberto Camarasa, for about 6 months now i’ve had Wowsville here in Kreuzberg. I’ve been selling records since December 4th 1999, when I started my first shop in New York under the same name.
I specialise in 60s Garage & Beat, Psychedelic Stuff, Blues, Rockabilly, Punk, Indie and some Soul & Funk, mostly on vinyl, but I also stock a selection of samplers on CD’s for e.g. the Crypt Records stuff.
Ok, so how come you started dealing with records, where do you get all these, how many do you have in store now?
The funny thing is: Actually I just sold the concession for the record business, I still have the bar. I started dealing because i love the music. I bought them everywhere but i haven’t bought a record in ages now. It’s probably for the better not to get high on your own supply! There are about 5000 records in store, i am also selling a lot of my own records too.
Alright! so you’re not buying anymore records? You don’t go digging nowadays?
No, I’m clean now as i said. You just have to get up too early for that.
In all these years in the business, tell me who are your customers and who was the most famous?
In New York I had Benicio Del Toro come in the shop. Generally my customers are 18s and over – only adults.
Are you connected to other stores?
Yeah with Cool & Crazy Records in Hamburg i do a lot of exchanges of wanted items and i offer releases on their label Crypt Records.
Do you have an archive system for your records?
Yeah an Excel list which will be online so soon, but when i left N.Y it was still under construction…
Ok we will be looking out for that website then (hahaha), tell me what you find interesting in a record?
I like small labels, independant, rare and obscure stuff.
How do you store your records and what is you’re way of cleaning a dusty record?
I keep them in sleeves and to clean them i use a destilled water and alcohol mix on a clean cloth which i wipe over the grooves in the same direction.
Which is your oldest record?
Well, it must be from 1955 or so they did’nt make them before.
Have people ever stolen from your shop?
Yeah, but i usually don’t see them, one time i saw this guy stealing in my shop in New York so i confronted him and he denied it, but as he raised his arms 4 records fell out of jacket! So I was like: Get out of here man…
Which is your most valuable record?
Right now it’s the Misfits EP “Bullet” it’s worth about 900 euro.
How do you set the prices for your records?
These days Popsike of course.
Which record you think has the most beautiful cover?
(He sighs and walks toward his shop window partition and peeks through the window)
The one over there it’s called the Singing Psychic.
What do you think will the vinyl business be like in 2030? Will there still be new pressings?
Yeah for sure but it will be depressing as they are now.
Ok, on that note we’ll go to your 5 favourite records, I guess they will be older releases?
Yeah, hahaha, they sure are! Oh man, that’s a tough question!
(Alberto goes into deep thought and over the next 5 minutes, aided by his girlfriend Martha, divulges his Favorite Records. Listen to them on the right as Wowsville all Time Fav’s.)
The Ramones first has got to be in it.
Then the Cramps with their Debut too.
The New York Dolls first from 72 or 73 is also amazing.
Los Saicos I guess, they were like the first Latin Garage Band ever!
And Arthur Alexander because all the big acts from the sixties, from the Rolling Stones, Beatles even Bob Dylan covered his work.
Excellent thank you, one last thing: What is exciting you right at this moment?
Acid Baby Jesus! they are playing the White Trash today! I can’t wait to see them!
Wowsville Bar-Recordshop
Ohlauerstr. 33
Berlin-Kreuzberg
Germany
Check Wowsville’s Facebook link for updates.
Photos by Sebastian Marggraf
