By Floss Coventry, Second Year Geography
Bristol’s best new go-to vinyl shop for all things underground music bargains, mint releases and beautiful classics has recently opened in the Old Drumbank Studios just off Gloucester Road with a coffee shop inside to get your caffeine fix as you shop!
As if a career owning a record label and running multiple successful events companies wasn’t enough on his plate, Nathan, co-owner of Worm Disco Club, has recently added to his load with Hot Wax record shop. Fully equipped with a sound system and decks, this bright ex-studio space will cater to all with a chunky section of affordable dance music 12’s, high quality soul, funk and jazz, the classics, new releases and even Japanese 80s city pop and anime soundtracks.
For the new DJs who are fiendish for new tracks without much cash, there will be a 10% off student discount if you bring your NUS card. Hot Wax will also offer a curated selection of archival art-gallery poster prints, dance music books, t-shirts, hats and DJ/vinyl accessories.
To Nathan, the opportunity was a ‘marriage of convenience’. What started as an offer to place a couple of vinyl crates in the corner of his mate’s new café quickly got out of hand and turned into a fully-fledged record shop, welcoming vinyl enthusiasts old and new.
On October 11th, the shop opened with a booming 12-hour-party boasting DJs such as Milly on Air and Mike Shawe, pizzas and an afternoon full of crate digging. Hot Wax most definitely started as they mean to go on, with future plans for in-store events and extended hours on Wednesday for midweek evening gigs and a boogie.
Regarded as an important long-time protagonist in the Bristol independent music scene, Nathan is co-founder of Worm Disco Club, the prolific Bristol club night all about dancing hard to funky global grooves. Having run the most hyped stage at Glastonbury 2019 (The Wormhole) and stage takeovers at We Out Here and Shambala, Worm Disco Club went on to host 160 events with 150 acts across 25 venues in the city, many of which were independent and lesser known.
Nathan knows first-hand the importance of grassroots music spaces, now more than ever. He told me how some of their best parties happened at the Fiddlers in Bedminster, yet another great Bristol music venue forced to shut down.
Grassroots venues ‘have a lot more character and individuality. People put their passion, lifelong connections and creativity into these spaces. There is a side to dance music culture that has become very industry focused, but you have to recognise the roots. Collectively, these venues bring people and community together’.
Vinyl, a format once on the brink of extinction, has staged an extraordinary comeback with sales consecutively climbing year on year since 2006. According to Nathan, this immense resurgence in popularity comes down to ‘the younger generation having grown up living through their phones and on Spotify – we like thousands of tracks on our playlist but how often do we go back to purposefully listen to them?’
‘This way of consuming music is more tangible: You have the artwork, picking up the vinyl, putting the needle on, actually discovering it in the first place in amongst loads of others – it has more intention, more of a feel-good process’
‘If you’re a digger, the whole point is discovering music you never knew existed and it blowing your mind and making your collection more individual. That’s your own curated playlist you’ve made yourself – something the algorithm couldn’t make.’
Despite having been a vinyl DJ for over a decade, Nathan only started buying records when he was 22. He recalls walking into a shop full of ‘serious looking older blokes who all knew what they were doing’, feeling a bit intimidated and walking out a few minutes later.
Hot Wax feels instantly inviting the moment you enter the door. This welcoming atmosphere has been purposefully crafted to make those new to the world of vinyl feel welcomed into the community and accepted.
‘When I see people just starting out, they may be a bit nervous, but I can feel their excitement’, he says. ‘There’s so much to discover – it’s such an exciting format to unmask’.
When asked for his top tips for budding crate diggers, Nathan told Epigram ‘Just follow your intuition that day. It’s like looking for jeans in TK Maxx. Some days your laser focused and know exactly what you’re looking for, others you just won’t be in the mood’.
‘My top tip is to just buy new music and over time you’ll hone your taste and your spider senses for finding a great track will improve.’
Sofia Zarkov
Whether you’re into global sounds, soul or hardcore dance tunes, Hot wax should definitely be at the top of your list for where you buy your records.
Also, keep an eye out of Slippin’, a progressive liquid DnB night created by Nathan and partner Dan. After the massive success of their non-profit rave, Bass for Gaza, they’ve just completed their Fifth night at the Jam Jar hosting the likes of Imo-Lu, a regular at Hospital events, Sweetpea and fast emerging MC from Cardiff Rhi’N’B. For all discerning DnB heads who want something outside of the bigger or commercial events be sure to check Slippin’ out!
Featured image: Elliot HingstonHave you been to Hot Wax yet?!
