Alex Lipinski chose the fitting venue of a series
of record shops to debut his new album.
To coincide with the release of Alex on
A Recordings in 2017, the Weston-super-Mare singer-songwriter played shows at shops including Rough Trade West and Friendly Records in Bristol, as well as a gig in his hometown and another in Berlin.
“I like the sense of community a record shop can offer,” says Lipinski, when asked why he enjoys record-shop gigs. “As a collector, I enjoy walking into a shop and not knowing what you might discover. A record shop should be for everyone to enjoy, it shouldn’t be selective.”
“I’m not into these too-cool-for-school hipster kind of record shops where the staff look down at you if you buy a certain record, or if you dress a certain way. The kind of shops where the clientele are raving about this new band because the synth is being played by someone’s feet. I’m really not into that. Music is for all.” – Alex Lipinski
Lipinski, who fronted Phoneys & The Freaks with
ex-Oasis guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, has spent time in the US and Berlin and has influences that err towards classic 60s sounds and their 90s reincarnation, Britpop – think The Beatles, Dylan and Oasis.
“I grew up in a house where music always seemed to be playing,” says Alex who has always worked closely with his older brother Anton, whose label he’s releasing this album on. “Mainly, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, 50s/60s rock ’n’ roll… basically, my dad’s record collection, or various 90s bands, would waft through from my brother’s rooms, usually Oasis or The Charlatans.
“We used to have an upright piano in our small hallway by the front door, which someone always seemed to be bashing something out on. Being the youngest sibling, I grew up looking up to my older brother, as he was in a band. I started gigging in pubs when I was 14 and I’ve been playing ever since. I knew from a young age there was nothing else I was remotely interested in doing.”
Lipinski hasn’t stopped since, travelling the world with his songs about life and love. The new record leaves you longing for more – and it’s best listened to on vinyl.
“Listening to music on vinyl is the complete listening experience. You’re fully engaged from the moment you pull the record out of the sleeve, study the artwork and drop the needle. Vinyl makes every part of the creative process essential. Plus, the recent resurgence in vinyl sales now makes it necessary.” – Alex Lipinski
Alex runs us through his own setup: “The record player sits in the corner of the front room, it’s an old Victorian flat with high ceilings, so the sound travels. The speakers are old, but sound great. The collection began with borrowing some of my dad’s or brother’s records for a sustained period of time! It’s pretty eclectic. There’s a solid dose of Dylan, Neil Young, Springsteen, and a sizeable 60s collection. It’s built into a healthy size over time, but you always want more!”