Selling records and community relevance w/ Wax Material
DiY sound system: Groove & counter culture 35 years on
December 1, 2024
There are few greater examples of community presence than that of a record store.
Often, record stores sit as the central hub within a city’s thriving underground music community.They can provide a meeting point for like-minded people to connect, discover and share ideas. They can be hotbeds for creativity and collaboration which in turn can evolve into long-lasting relationships or collaborative projects. Alternatively or simultaneously, they can be delightfully anonymous experiences, where people embark on an individual voyage of musical discovery without distraction.
Having a fixed location to sell records is by no means granted and certainly isn’t cheap. Both the physical and fiscal challenges of running a record store have led certain sellers to take a somewhat reversed approach, bringing the records to the people.
Whilst economic, this method of record selling brings with it space limitation. This limitation will often mean more refined and higher quality collections.
At surface level, high quality curation is seemingly the most appealing aspect of these stores but the integral foundations of mobile record stores ultimately surpass the records themselves. These stores are communities built on passion - they are the glue which unites a broad range of people.
Moreover, this physical presence of people together is what allows individuals to find the members of their community - a community which can largely remain hidden in forums and threads within the electronic music world. A great example is Rubber Ducky Records.
Myles & his mobile record store Rubber Duck Records. Credit: Christian Eede
When Myles Greenwood’s canal barge sank in 2023, along with his fastidiously acquired stock, a huge push from crowd-funded initiatives and support allowed him to recover from an otherwise catastrophic situation. Aside from highlighting the financial vulnerability which individuals endure to pursue these passions, it is also a wonderful spotlight on community strength and something that would not have happened if it wasn’t for the connections which led people to so staunchly emphasize with Myles.
If you keep your ear to the ground, you will come across many of these types of record stores, flitting across various European festivals or taking up temporary residence in obscure locations.
Despite sometimes keeping a fairly low profile, the extra effort that you may have to put into finding them is well worth it. The collections will be littered with rarities, overseen by a helpful dealer to guide your hand to its sonic preference.
One such mobile record store boss is Wax Material owner Jessi.
Operating out of a converted horse box and regularly driving to the far reaches of the UK, Jessi has gradually established notoriety as a selector as well as an avid collector of underground dance music.
I first connected with Jessi through a couple of Discog orders, where I was then made aware of the bigger picture with the Wax Material project. I could clearly see Jessi’s passion and purity for the music that she loves and more importantly, her outward reach for communal intimacy.
Not long after that, the store just so happened to be rolling through Manchester where I was lucky enough to have a thorough dig through the collection. Jessi spoke of stories from her travels, people she knew from Manchester and her affinity to garage and minimal.
Shortly after, Jessi kindly agreed to sit down and answer some questions about Wax Material, selling records and the electronic music scene more generally…
Wax Material. Credit: Billy Wilkinson
What is Wax Material? What's your set up?
Wax Material is a mobile record store (& campervan) built within a horse box.
I built it all myself, every thing you see in here I did. Obviously not all at once, it’s been a labour of love, adding things when the ideas come to my head and I can afford to orchestrate it really.
We got our 4 point Funktion One soundstayem and Sub. A booth of dreams hanging from the ceiling by chains, a disco ball, 2 beds, toilets, walking in wardrobe (very important), kitchen area, record wall, fridge, freezer, airfryer. Oh yeah, and the spice rack.
What is the experience like when digging at Wax Material?
People dont want to leave. They walk in and I watch their head top spin as they look around and take it all in. Love that. This van was built with love, I put intention into every single nail or screw that I put in by hand. And thats what you feel when you’re in here. That and the fact that the records are fire, so its win, win.
How would you describe the records that you sell?
Carefully and thoughtfully, hand selected electronic, dance genred music.
All 2nd hand with some exceptions of friends releases becuase you gotta support the ting. Due to the limited amount the van can carry, each record on the shelf has earnt its way there.
It has to be good enough to get in here - if its not, bargain bin it goes no matter the price! Savage with it.
Where are your usual spots/events for setting up shop? What’s the most unusual spot?
Not really got a usual. I like to move and keep it stepping. My favourite thing to do it pull up on a city proper last minute and those who watch my nutty IG stories will be the ones to know that I’m there. It’s sick doing it like that. Inconspicuous and interesting for all, including me.
Most unusual spot - There's been a few lol...
What's a go-to Wax Material anecdote?
I have a small team of friends that work with me to run it. I may be the face of it but I have the most amazing humans standing strong right behind me that love, run and support Wax Material as if it was their own. They have been with the brand almost since the beginning, basically working for nothing but the love and the belief that this little (big) van will take us to places we’ve always dreamed of. Me and Karma have already had a meeting about those guys. They’ll all get what they deserve and more.
Wax Material to the world - just in case you aint heard.
How important is community within the electronic music scene?
That’s always gonna be important isn’t it.
A collective of like minded people that all care and enjoy a similar thing is what keeps things alive. Especially things like records which on paper should be obsolete now right?
I mean, I’m fucking glad its not haha. What would we do? (Sings Wiley - Wearing my Rolet: What would we do? Usually drink, usually dance, usually bubble)
What do you enjoy about having a mobile record store?
The freedom, the legacy it will leave within the scene, the joy of spreading music and love to so many many wherever we go & the damn straight iconic stories I can tell my Grandkids.
Are there any mobile record stores that you rate or would recommend?
To be completely honest with you, I’ve never been inside another mobile record store yet. Including the ones mentioned above!
