ARIA Record Store Of The Month: Red Eye Records

Each month, ARIA features an indie record store that contributes to the ARIA Charts. This month, we feature Sydney’s Red Eye Records.

Red Eye Records in a Sydney institution. For over 40 years they have been stockists of an extremely wide range of music from the charts hits of the day to niche compilations and everything in-between.

You’ll also find an extensive selection of DVDs, magazines, books, posters and merch.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, Red Eye are experts in helping you track it down.

Matt Huddy from Red Eye let us know more behind the store’s philosophy and the secret to its longevity.

When did you open your store?

Red Eye Records opened on November 23, 1981. Our founder’s music retail roots go even further back to the 1970s, managing Sydney’s first import record store.

Do you specialise in particular genres? What’s popular with your customers?

We specialise in every genre and every era of music, sourcing from all local suppliers and a vast network of international wholesalers and labels. The most popular genres with our customers are Rock & Pop, Australian artists, Hip-hop, Jazz, Soundtracks, Funk, Metal, Electronic, Prog, Psych, Audiophile, Blues, Reggae and Box Sets. Plus, our massive range of second-hand vinyl and CDs is very popular.

What formats do you sell/specialise in?

We have perhaps the biggest range of vinyl and CDs in the country. Vinyl is our speciality, but CDs are strong and a crucial part of our business. Coloured vinyl is growing wildly, with 2,500 titles in stock. We also stock good ranges of DVDs & Blu-Rays (both music and film), T-shirts, music books and magazines, SACDs, vinyl sleeves (inner and outer) and CD jewel cases. Oh, and some cassettes, and turntables.

What’s been a highlight of running your store?

Highlights are:

• keeping a core long time staff who are knowledgeable, experienced, professional, and, importantly, friends;
• surviving 40 years while unintentionally becoming Australia’s largest music store;
• helping people find great music, whether they are long time regulars and friends, or brand new customers (it really is a fantastic job!);
• creating a friendly, inclusive environment, where all are welcome.

Tips for people wanting to start a record collection?

Even though most of us love one or two kind of music best, to help you enjoy music for a lifetime it’s healthy and fun to expand your collection with some other genres and eras of music. Something you can select at home to create a different mood, day or night. Try some sweet soul, intimate folk, timeless classic rock, drifting electronics, 70s harmony, 60s psych, fresh new indie pop, African funk, Middle eastern exotica, blinding metal, inspiring jazz … there’s a whole world of music out there, and in our racks!

Tell us about the area your shop is located. Any places people should also check out when they visit?

We’re situated in the dead centre of the Sydney CBD, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, shops, pubs and small bars. Within a minutes’ walk from us are two of the best book shops in the country, Abbeys and Kinokuniya. The stunning Queen Victoria Building is opposite. The Sydney Town Hall is one building away, with the Town Hall train station beneath it. The light rail is in the next street. There’s also a couple of other record shops nearby!

Red Eye Record' Top 5 sellers for March 2022...

Run a record store and want to contribute to the ARIA Charts? Contact us here.