Northern Star Records has opened on Rose Lane in Mossley Hill, launched in June by Dundee-born DJ and radio producer Rob Watson, 59. The shop offers a mix of Merseybeat treasures, iconic indie albums, rare Cavern Club-era EPs, and rock, reggae and folk gems.
Rob, who spent more than three decades in radio including a move to Liverpool's Radio City as a producer in the 1990s, has merged his decades-old vinyl collection into the shop. He lives in Mossley Hill.
A lifetime of record hunting
Rob's own taste was shaped by childhood visits to record shops, radio shows and reading NME. He said: "When I was a kid the best way to find out about records was through the radio, but record shops were where you found the things you couldn't hear on the airwaves."
Keen to keep the traditional record shop experience alive, Rob is happy to source tracks based on customer requests, be it Chicago house or acid jazz.
Bringing back the traditional record shop
Recalling record shops in Dundee, Rob said: "Back in those days someone would come in asking, 'Have you got this Paul McCartney record?' and they'd say, 'No, but come back next week and I'll get it for you.' That's one thing I want to reflect here. It's about saying to people we're listening to what you're telling us. We can source more of what you like."
The Rose Lane shop also taps into Liverpool's musical history, stocking rare singles by Merseybeat band The Hideaways, famous for playing The Cavern Club more times than The Beatles. Former band member and Radio City DJ Frankie Connor was photographed at Northern Star Records.
Part of the local arts community
Northern Star Records occupies half of long-standing musical electronics shop Pro Light and Sound. Future plans include launching a podcast with neighbouring bar Black Cat, which sits in the former site of Liverpool record label Delta Sonic Records, known for managing The Coral and The Zutons.
A noticeboard inside the shop encourages local bands and musicians to network and promote their art. In addition to vintage vinyl, Northern Star Records stocks newer bands and popular artists like Lana Del Rey, with younger shoppers as likely to be looking for music from the 1960s as latest releases.
The vinyl revival
Rob, whose first album was David Bowie's Aladdin Sane at age 10, described the "amazing" musical knowledge and love for the format seen in younger and older customers alike. Speaking of the resurgence of vinyl, he said: "It's a hark back to having something physical to play and I think people like having that visual representation of what they're buying. Apart from anything else, there are some beautiful record sleeves and there's an art element to that."
Northern Star Records is at 100 Rose Lane, Liverpool, L18 8AG.
