Story by John Sarvay; illustration by Ralph Paine
The long trek to Carytown soon may be over for alternative and hardcore music lovers near VCU. The opening of ISBN Records at 918 West Grace Street is slated for late April, and co-manager Trish Wahlig says everything is falling into place.
“Most of the small labels are into the whole idea of ISBN,” Wahlig says. “They have all been really supportive and straight-up with us about ordering and consignment.”
Wahlig, who will be running the store with Laurie Balaban, says ISBN will be focusing on hard-to-find alternative and hardcore music. “It’s always been hard to get stuff on small labels in Richmond,” Wahlig, a communication arts student at VCU. Not any longer, she hopes.
Wahlig insists that ISBN will not just carry fringe music, but the main reason ISBN will focus on smaller labels and alternative music is cost. “I get pretty annoyed [at the music industry] because so much good stuff is expensive. Our philosophy is ‘Let’s keep everything low because we want to support the music.’”
ISBN may open as more of a music-related variety store, however. Wahlig says the store will carry compact discs, records, tapes, shirts, stickers and cards. “We’re also doing consignment and are trying to support local bands who want to sell shirts. I even have a friend who is interested in selling cards.”
For more information on ISBN Records, call Trish Wahlig at 353-3845.
