Sound Merch was founded in 2009 by Tim Everist, initially producing tour and festival merch for bands. Everist previously worked across independent record labels Au Go Go Records, Mushroom Records, and Zomba in the ’90s and also founded streetwear brand Schwipe in the 2000s. The store has now grown to feature merchandise from about 300 artists.
Records came later, but there are now some 2000 somehow crammed into this small record store adjoining the Sound Merch warehouse, where online orders are processed.
The selection spans pop, rock and R’n’B classics, from ABBA to Blondie to Britney to Coolio. For new releases, the store works directly with bands such as King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Amyl and The Sniffers, Tame Impala and Dope Lemon, to name a few. Australian indie rock, punk and metal bands are the focus, but the store prides itself on covering all ground. You’ll find plenty of records and merch from a wide array of genres and international acts, such as Rina Sawayama, Bjork and The 1975. At the back of the store, there’s a selection of shirts, tote bags and hats.
The store often invites artists on site for record launches. In the past, this has included a meet and greet with British act Wet Leg, a Q&A and live performance from NZ singer-songwriter Marlon Williams and an album launch with Brisbane indie rockers Dune Rats.
