September 2008 (PDF) - Antigravity Magazine
September 2008 (PDF) - Antigravity Magazine
September 2008 (PDF) - Antigravity Magazine
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COVER FEATURELOCAL BUSINESS<br />
THE IRON<br />
RAIL<br />
The Iron Rail Bookstore & Library is located at<br />
511 Marigny St. in New Orleans. For more info<br />
call 504.944.0366 or go to ironrail.org.<br />
Just out of earshot of the French Quarter,<br />
on the other side of Elysian Fields sits<br />
a large brick building with a sign out<br />
front that welcomes any and all passersby to<br />
the Iron Rail Bookstore & Library—though<br />
don’t let the name fool you. In addition to its<br />
ever-expanding zine library, book collection<br />
and other resources, the Iron Rail also offers<br />
a good selection of punk and hardcore, metal<br />
and local records. But what makes their<br />
selection really pop is the small but caredfor<br />
used record section, which has become a<br />
swapping ground for some of the city’s DJs.<br />
This means that in addition to stocking up<br />
on Ebullition’s latest release or a Bikini Kill<br />
album, you can score classics like Herman<br />
Kelly & Life’s Percussion Explosion. One of<br />
the Iron Rail’s best features is its mobility;<br />
you can catch the Iron Rail at most book<br />
fairs and some shows around town as well,<br />
usually at the Big Top or the Dragon’s Den,<br />
with promoter Bryan Funck scowling at<br />
you from behind the table. This also means<br />
if you missed getting a CD from a touring<br />
punk band you can probably get it through<br />
the Iron Rail. AG talked briefly to Funck<br />
about the Iron Rail, which he explained is<br />
completely volunteer-run and in keeping<br />
with its revolutionary spirit, is governed<br />
collectively. When asked about the records<br />
the Iron Rail carries, Funck responded: “We<br />
want to destroy Capitalism, but until then,<br />
we just try to keep the prices as cheap as<br />
possible.” —Dan Fox; Photo by Dan Fox<br />
LOUISIANA<br />
MUSIC<br />
FACTORY<br />
PEACHES<br />
The demise of the Virgin Megastore and Tower Records soon after Katrina was a<br />
disappointment to a lot of music-buyers in town, so who would guess that a longtime staple<br />
of the city would resurrect itself to take their place, providing not only a high-profile shop<br />
on a French Quarter street but a locally-owned one to boot. Upon entering their new location,<br />
where one of the original deep blue Peaches signs stands triumphantly overhead, it’s clear that<br />
owner Shirani Rea is ready to revive this New Orleans institution. Operating for thirty-seven years,<br />
Peaches has long been a champion of local musicians (its last remaining location at Gentilly and<br />
Elysian Fields was widely known for its healthy stock of local bounce rap), and with the new<br />
location comes new opportunities to promote local music. In addition to stocking CDs and records<br />
from all types of acts (A quick browse turned up the new Hellkontrol 7” as well as a VHS copy of<br />
Cash Money’s iconic Baller Blockin’—how’s that for NOLA variety?), Peaches is also setting up to<br />
be a live show space and music distributor. This multimedia, multidimensional approach, or as Rea<br />
puts it, “cultural experience” is part of a business plan to stay relevant during the music industry’s<br />
transitional times. The front of the store, with its trademark floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking<br />
South Peters, features book racks and a cafe that will stock Liuzza’s gumbo and host a “coffee<br />
hour” with live performers. With such a fresh layout and ambitious plans, the new Peaches is<br />
making us all quickly forget about those other two stores. —Dan Fox; Photo by Dan Fox<br />
Peaches Records is located at 408 N. Peters St. in New Orleans. For more info, call 504.529.4411.<br />
Before Katrina, I bought a vinyl copy of Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced? from<br />
the Louisiana Music Factory for three dollars. It had a number of scratches on it,<br />
but damn if it didn’t play perfectly. Since Katrina, the sixteen year-old store has<br />
emphasized vinyl less because of limited space, but at the same time they have more rock<br />
vinyl on display since Tower Records and Virgin Megastore closed, and they were known<br />
for their rock selection. The Music Factory has removed the older vinyl, kept the high<br />
quality selections and welcomed the opportunity to sell new vinyl. According to owner<br />
Barry Smith, the Music Factory has “by far the most thorough and complete collection of<br />
local music in the city.”<br />
Who’s to argue? Their bottom floor is now completely local. Upstairs, you’ll find a new<br />
DVD section, a ceiling lined with t-shirts, a back wall lined with posters, national and<br />
international CDs, and the afformentioned soul, R&B, rock, and jazz vinyl. Local vinyl<br />
releases are also up there. A treasure trove is their collection of .45s, which, according to<br />
the sign on the shelves, is “mostly traditional jazz, dance bands, banjo players, some classic<br />
blues--good stuff.”<br />
Since the store’s beginning, local artists have played at the Music Factory on Saturday<br />
afternoons. Back in the day, Kermit Ruffins or Tuba Fats and the Chosen Few Brass Band<br />
might play every Saturday during a month. These days you’ll find Jimmy Robinson playing<br />
alongside 007 or Little Freddie King. Their JazzFest live schedule, which showcases at<br />
least sixty bands, has become almost as comprehensive as the actual JazzFest lineup.<br />
“It’s one of the few times when I can step back and appreciate the store from a different<br />
angle,” Smith said. “It’s easily the most rewarding time of year. The store gets packed with<br />
people from different countries.” Do yourself a favor and click the link to the YouTube<br />
videos from the <strong>2008</strong> Jazzfest in-stores at the Louisiana Music Factory website.<br />
After the interview I descended the stairs and saw Coco Robicheaux chatting with the<br />
clerks about Burning Man and how well his CDs are doing. “This is what it’s about,” I<br />
thought. “Local artists having a home for their music.” —Jason Songe; Photo by Zack Smith<br />
Louisiana Music Factory is located at 210 Decatur St. in New Orleans. For more info, call<br />
504.586.1094 or go to louisianamusicfactory.com.<br />
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