Boards
Fancy owning a record shop ?
Dear All
Happy New Year
Hope everyone had fun.
Just a quick note to let everyone know the current situation with THE DREAM MACHINE record shop.
The good news is that we successfully managed to weather the storm and reach the end of our contract/lease agreement without too many frightening moments, which is great.
The decision for us now, is whether or not we carry on where we are, or move on to pastures new.
THE DREAM MACHINE really is a magical place and there have been some amazing times over the last few months.
A personal favourite was playing drums with Will Carruthers ( Spacemen 3 + Spiritualized ) and Fractured Waves one night when we had a sudden cancellation from a band.
Drumming with one of your musical heroes, it really doesn’t get much better than that.
We have made lots of new friends and even met some old ones.
There have even been a couple of occasions when people have walked into the shop and suddenly said “ I played on that record “ or “ I used to be in that band “.
One of the best things about the shop is the encouragement it gives to people to go ahead and make music.
There have been some amazing bands/musicians/poets/djs/artists who have played in the shop.
Some people have played their very first gigs in THE DREAM MACHINE, which is fantastic.
We have had several local bands and musicians rehearse in the space.
One group is made up of 11 year olds, who save their parents and neighbours visits from the noise pollution police, by playing in THE DREAM MACHINE.
They’ll be playing the O2 Arena before you know it.
So, what next ?
Well, that’s down to you.
We have two weeks until our next rent is due and also our decision as to whether or not we carry on where we are.
We do love it, but to be honest, there’s no money in it ( which all of us knew from the beginning ).
It is a true labour of love.
People volunteer their time, no-one is on a salary.
If people want THE DREAM MACHINE to carry on, then the only way we can see that happening is by everyone who wants to be part of a record shop, to commit to the project by becoming “ A Dreamer “.
What is “ A Dreamer “ ?
" A Dreamer " is someone who believes in the idea of independence.
They are someone who is into what THE DREAM MACHINE is about and what it represents.
They are someone who wants to keep music live/alive/evil ( delete as appropriate )
How do I become “ A Dreamer “ ?
Well, it’s quite simple, you commit to donating either £5.00 or £10.00 per month to keep the shop open ( the money goes on the rent, you see ).
There is a paypal account which has been kindly set up for us, just go to :
www. dreammachinerecords. co. uk
What do I get in return ?
Well, for £5.00 a month, you get - Free entry to all in-stores + 10% off all purchases.
And for £10.00 a month, you get - Free entry to all in-stores + 20% off all purchases.
You will also receive a DREAM MACHINE membership badge, sort of like the Freemasons, but without any aprons or nipple flashing ( look it up, they really do do it ).
Plus, you'll get a monthly CD with some carefully selected tunes that we reckon you'll love.
So, now comes the BIG test.
THIS ALL NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
Have we left it too late ?
No, not really.
I know two weeks is not much time, but, I think that makes it all the more exciting.
To be honest, the idea of a group of people all contributing to the shop to keep it going was put out there right at the start of the project.
Some, thought it was stupid.
However, some people embraced the concept completely and even paid their tenner.
So, there you go.
Two weeks to get either 150 people to pay £5.00 each, or 75 people to pay £10.00 each, or any combination of the two.
I don’t mind if it ends up being 1 person paying £750.
Anything is possible.
After all, one day we weren't running a record shop.
The next, we were.
We’d really like to stay where we are and hope we can achieve this goal.
However, if we can’t pull this off, then we will have to move on.
Either way, we promise that whatever happens and wherever it ends up being, THE DREAM MACHINE will continue.
We’ll be in the shop over the next few days.
Pop in and say hello.
Love
THE DREAM MACHINE
89 Lordship Lane
London
SE22 8EP