FEATURE:
Street Level
Imagining New Forms of Physical Music Delivery
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A few things have provoked me…
to think more about physical music and its real importance. I have mentioned how, on 3rd March, De La Soul’s debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, is coming to streaming services. It is also being physically released on vinyl, cassette and C.D. It is a great moment because, since its release in 1989, it has been hard to get that album on vinyl especially. If you could, then it was quite expensive. I love the fact you can get it on C.D., cassette, and a few vinyl options. Different coloured vinyl is always such a treat! I love record shops and that experience of going and browsing, but it can be quite a difficult experience at the best of times. They can be very cramped, and it is difficult to get any time to explore the albums, as there is always someone hovering around. Whilst you can never discount the joy of record shopping, the most important thing is buying the albums on physical forms. Huge sites like Amazon can provide convenience, but I always like buying from a record shop or someone like Rough Trade. One of the issues can be their delivery is quite slow. Most shops would be, and there is that desire to have a vinyl, cassette or C.D. the day it is released.
I have been thinking about distribution and physical sales. In certain countries, there are vending machines that dispense cassettes. I have always liked this as an idea. Of course, we do need to revive options like the Sony Walkman to play them on but, for people who buy cassettes, having vending machines in various towns and cities where you could buy them would be a good idea. I was thinking more like a fast delivery service that handles music. Sort of like a Deliveroo, but for albums. They could be picked up from shops on the day and get to you pretty quick. With record shops being busier, and there being issues with postal delivery (with strikes and all), having this express service would really benefit music lovers. I would love to get a yellow vinyl or cassette version of 3 Feet High and Rising sent to me on the morning of 3rd March. I would either have to go to a record shop and get it, or order online. Even working in central London, the nearest option to me is quite a way away! I would have to get time off and hope that a shop stocked them. Most would not do the whole range of physical formats. The delivery services independent and chain record stores use is quite good but, as I say, there can be delivery issues. Delays and various problems can hamper things.
It is a bit of a dream, so I am sure I have overlooked some logistical challenges! Whether they come from a warehouse or are picked up from the shop itself, the thought of being able to have a central website where you can choose delivery from a local record shop would be fantastic. Getting a new vinyl, cassette or C.D. on the day it comes out to wherever you are working or living would be ideal. Having street level vending machines could solve some of the problem, but dispatching riders and drivers from record shops and warehouses extra fast would definitely be popular. For those pre-ordering albums, it would mean they get it the day it comes out (which is not always the case), and I do also wonder about stock levels. Some great pre-orders can run out of stock quickly, and I wonder whether that is a case of costs, a lack of storage, or shipment. Physical formats are increasing in terms of popularity, and even cassettes are holding steady – even if people can’t really play them anymore! I love normal album releases, but I get extra excited when you get a reissue or special release with various different coloured vinyl or a cassette for instance. Maybe it is impatience, but I like that same day delivery. Stock levels can be low in stores. This option would take a while to catch on and get to its best, but it is something that can be explored. I am not sure what it would be called, but I have looked online, and I cannot see something similar. I know I keep using De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising (out on 3rd March) as an example, but this is a perfect case. An album that fans like me would love on cassette and vinyl, stocks are already running love. Even if I order the cassette and one of the vinyl versions, I may not get it until late on 3rd March or a later date. Having it in my hands earlier than that is definitely something I would pay a bit more for! For that reason and many more, let’s hope that an express physical music delivery service…
BECOMES a reality.