Imperial Music

Moved to Inverness then recently closed.

I found this piece by 'idlehandsbristol' on an Instagram page: “Who remembers Imperial Music on Park Street? It was the first record shop I worked in. It covered all types of music with a level of care, attention to detail and enthusiasm that I have been aspiring to reach ever since. My boss Mark Stumbles took me on as a young music fan with an enthusiasm for techno, within 6 months I was obsessed with bluegrass… it was that type of shop. When Imperial had to close I moved to Replay on Park Street, then to Replay on East Street and then onto Rooted Records in the dubstep days. I opened Idle Hands in 2011 after Rooted had to close. Music retail can be a slog at times, a lot of ups and downs, uncertainties over ever changing trading conditions but I think it’s worth it. I still believe that record shops are important in the digital age.”

I remember Imperial so well. I am a singer songwriter with a sideline passion for electronica and Imperial Music was central to my interest. You would go in to buy a Joni Mitchell album and pick up Music Has The Right To Children (Boards of Canada). A lot of it was the care and attention of its employees. Little post it note reviews on CD cases and someone saying “if you like BoC you’d love Autechre”. I discovered my love for the Warp label, Rephlex, Ellliott Smith, Rufus Wainwright, Handsome Family, BoC, Aphex Twin - all because of that gem of a shop. I recall that Fopp opened up directly opposite and that seemed to suck up Imperials energy. Then Fopp closed. A real shame.