Much-loved independent record shop and label alt.vinyl to close

A cornerstone of underground and experimental music.

Online record shop and label alt.vinyl, has announced its closure with immediate effect after 13 years and over 70 releases.

Opened as a bricks a mortar shop in Newcastle by Graham Thrower, alt.vinyl subsequently went online-only but remained central to the regional scene, releasing music by the likes of Richard Dawson, Rhodri Davies and :zoviet*france:, with whom they crafted the striking Patina Pooling metal box set in 2014.

Such was the ambitious nature of alt.vinyl’s releases that they featured in consecutive years in VF’s ‘best artwork’ lists of 2014 and 2015.

In a statement on the label’s website Thrower writes:

“It’s been great to have been a part of a global independent music community but the time is right… this cycle has come to a close. At the risk of a long post I’d just like to thank all those artists that alt.vinyl has had the pleasure to work with and release over the years.”

As a result of the closure, Thrower also announced that all stock will be 50% reduced – “better for this stuff to be on a turntable than in a box!”

And as he concludes: “Thanks to all of you out there, customers, supporters, press, stockists who have supported the label in your own way,” he writes. “It has meant a lot… It’s been a trip… thanks for everything… graham/alt.vinyl”