A wee bit of Q/A with record shop owner Gib Cassidy in advance of Record Store Day...

Elastic Witch is a record company situated in the stage room of the Twisted Pepper. The record store includes a stage and a PA system which allows for occasional in-store album and EP launches. As well as launch gigs the shop hosts film screenings, book readings and a number of other exciting endeavors. The store consistently stocks the latest and greatest in vinyl, CD and tapes. Having recently celebrated a -month anniversary, we sat down with the boss to discover the day to day running steeze of this unique record store.

Your Name

Gib Cassidy

What do you do?

I run Elastic Witch! A small record shop operating out of the Twisted Pepper.

Whats a typical day like?

Weekdays and weekends are very different. Typical weekday involves getting the shop set up for 11am and then pretty much working on orders, answering mails etc. Weekends days are all about selling records and engaging with the customers!

Worst part of being the boss?

I can only blame myself if something isn't done right!

The best?

Absolute control!!!!! Seriously, I guess getting things moving in the direction I want them to is pretty good.

How many people do you manage?

Mostly me and one other guy.

How do you see your industry changing in the next five years?

Smaller, more niche shops operating out of existing retail/art spaces maybe? I reckon CDs will take an even bigger sales decline. And hopefully vinyl sales will continue to rise.

How do you unwind?

Red wine.

What type of boss would you say you are?

I'm pretty chill most of the time. I get wound up the odd time but don't we all?!

Where do you go from here?

Developing the shop as a brand. Promoting more gigs. Possibly a record label further down the line. Above all, maintaining a healthy balance of optimism and realism.