Get to know: Phonica Records

The long running record store and label celebrates its 15th birthday before joining us for a Phonica showcase on 28th July with Omar-S, Pariah and FYI Chris...

Withstanding the wavering vinyl trade over the last 15 years, Phonica Records has proved intrinsic to London’s electronic music community, affirming itself as a hub for burgeoning artists, dedicated music lovers and internationally acclaimed artists - Floating Points, Four Tet and Ben UFO to name a few - to discover all kinds of techno, house, electro and disco alongside a handful of cryptic sub-genres (micro-house springs to mind). 

Founded by Simon Rigg, Heidi Van Den Amstel and Tom Relleen at a time when the demand for vinyl was beginning to take a considerable dip, the store has come out the other side of a tumultuous ride since opening on Poland Street in 2003. 

A lot has changed in the intervening years. Heidi went on to BBC Radio 1 before building her profile as a versatile selector who later carved a lucrative career as one of the world’s most in-demand DJ’s; one the of the many success stories to stem from behind Phonica’s counter. Tom Rellen left to join his experimental live band, Tomaga, while Simon Rigg still heads up the team, managing everything from creative control, record stock and overseeing the store’s label. 

Arguably one of the most celebrated wax establishments in London and perhaps the UK itself, the likes of Will Saul, Palms Trax, Anthea and Hector are just a handful of the previous talents the store has nurtured, in addition to our own Egg resident, Luther Vine, who represents Phonica at the club on a regular basis. 

Showcasing the sound of Phonica on July 28th, the Phonica residents are billed to soundtrack our Basement bringing a host of new faces to the club including Rigg himself, and the latest new addition to the imprint, Harrison BPD. 

We chatted to Simon ahead of the night to look back over the last 15 years, discover more about the label’s current talent and find out which ten monumental tracks tell the story of Phonica so far. 

2018 marks 15 years of Phonica Records, what was the store like in the early days? A lot of record shops were closing down during the year 2003… How did Phonica manage to survive up to this point? 

Well, it was a lot smaller back then in terms of stock and staff - it was just me, Heidi and Tom Relleen who is now in the band Tomaga - with a little help from Will Saul as our Saturday assistant and no website either, so it was much simpler. Back then, though. We were buying records from the back of vans and listening to snippets played down the phone. So, in that respect, the buying is easier. 

I think we survived at the time as we were doing something new and selling records you couldn't find anywhere else: German imports, Kompakt, electro house, early minimal. We established a niche but we also sold across-the-board dance music. 

In the last few years, more record shops have cropped up around London, some very decent ones like Container Records in Brixton, Kristina Records in Dalston and many others. Are you ever concerned about competition and how to remain a certain cut above the rest? 

No, more shops actually enhance vinyl collecting and vinyl DJing. There are still fewer shops than in 2003 and we all have our little niche. I actually think it’s much healthier to have many record stores around - I wish there were more back in the Berwick St and Soho area. 

Phonica has hosted an impressive mix of in-store sets with reputable artists like Peggy Gou, Leon Vynehall - who’s a long-running friend of the store - and Daniel Avery, KiNK and lots more. What’s been a particularly poignant set for you and why? 

Ahhh, too many to mention - we’ve actually had over 300 in-store sets over the years including Four Tet, 2 Many DJs, Ron Trent, Black Madonna, Ge-Ology, Leon Vynehall… I think Four Tet was my favourite one. Two and a half hours of excellent music, although the shop was a sauna with sweat dripping off the ceiling.  

What’s the been the most significant change in Phonica over the last 15 years? 

Well, it’s been the launch of the label in 2008 with our first release from Hector, who was a staff member at the time since then, we have launched sister labels in Phonica White, Karakul, Special Editions and had releases and remixes from Midland, Four Tet, Peggy Gou, Iori, Al Zanders, Roman Flügel and many more. 

We've just released Secretsundaze's first production on our label which I’m very pleased about as we have been working with these guys for years - in fact James used to work in the shop too.  

Tell us more about the guests on taking over our Basement on Saturday? We’re hearing lots about Harrison BDP in particular. 

Well, Harrison BDP has been releasing some killer tracks over the last 18 months or so, so we are very happy he has a Phonica EP out in September. It’s a huge piano-led anthem called 'Life Unlimited' and probably one of his biggest tracks to date. He will be joining us with a few of the Phonica DJ’s at Egg. Can't wait! 

Leave us with ten tracks that illustrate the history of Phonica so far? 

This selection showcases records that have been huge sellers at Phonica over the past 15 years, plus our recent label releases including Pional which was released last Friday.

Depeche Mode - Sinner In Me (Villalobos Remix) 

Metro Area -- Miura (ENVIRON)  

Peggy Gou - Day without Yesterday (PHONICA WHITE) 

Todd Terje - Ragysh (Running Back) 

Midland - Final Credits (REGRADED)  

Stereo fuse - Black Jack (PHONICA) 

Don Carlos - Alone (Calypso Records)  

Austin Ato - Song For Mr. Lewis (PHONICA WHITE)   

Paul Woolford presents Bobby Peru - Erotic Discourse  

Omar-S - Psychotic Photosynthesis (FXHE MUSIC) 

Secretsundaze ft. Anthony Anaxagorou - Still Hope (Original Mix) (PHONICA) 

Pional - XME (PHONICA RECORDS)  

(out on Friday officially)  

Get Tickets to  Egg LDN presents: Omar-S, Pariah, FYI Chris & Phonica Dj's: Here 


Interview: Niamh O'Connor