Watertown’s Vinyl Lovers Wanna Hear It
By Sara O’Connell
On the congested intersection on Main Street, in the middle of Watertown square lies a row of small shops. While the square has looked the same since its inception a brand new set of faces has entered in place of the old. Rooted in punk, hardcore, indie, metal, and rock vinyl, Wanna Hear It Records offers a wide variety from huge names to smaller artists that might make you do a double-take. Wanna Hear It Records opened in December 2020, a peculiar time considering the repercussions of the pandemic, but it has managed to not only just stay afloat but thrive. Owner Joey Cahill greeted me when I entered just a little after 12:30 on Friday October 8th. He was going pricing records at the storefront and the associate Craig Bidiman was at the register adding commentary.
It was quiet in the store at that point, just the three of us. The sun was beaming through the small shop as I asked the first go-to question, what’s it like to start a business during COVID? “Opening during a pandemic was not something I had always envisioned,” he jokes, “but I’ve always wanted to own a record store.” After working in a record store off and on in college and owning his own label, Joey had big dreams of opening his shop. “I’d been talking about it with my wife and we were just talking one day and I was telling her this is where I’d put this and this is how I’d do that. And she goes, ‘oh wait, you've actually thought about this.’” He clearly has as Wanna Hear It Records has clear niche marketing. They’ve got record store staples like cool band tees, cassettes, and posters, to official Wanna Hear It Records coffee and jewelry. After working in the music industry for 20 years, Joey knows what people want when it comes to music.
Regardless of the circumstances, Wanna Hear It Records has flourished in-store and online. A good portion of their sales come from their Instagram presence, “We get lots of interaction from Instagram.” Craig tells me. “Trading, buying, and selling, a ton of that is done online, mostly through the gram.” This rings true as I heard Craig and Joey having a chat about a record going to Australia during my time in the store. “We send stuff all over and it’s pretty cool.” As we’re talking about the power of Instagram a new customer walks in, a young man who is quietly looking through the selection.
It’s been no secret that vinyl records have come back in season. Maybe it’s a nostalgia for the past that a lot of people weren’t around to experience, maybe just because it looks cool. “I started collecting when I was about 13.” Joey says, ”I love collecting records. Whether it’s for myself or the store. I’ve just always collected records.”
During the pandemic, there’s been an uptick in vinyl sales all over. We discussed the growing demand for vinyl as an older man walks in, a regular it seems. He starts chatting with Craig about their famous Instagram videos and new selections that just came in. ”People like to hold onto something.’’ Joey states, “and with all the streaming services, the need for CDs is kind of just, gone.” This is true. Vinyl records still dominate music sections in stores like Target and Urban Outfitters where there isn’t a CD in sight. “There's still just always something about going home, opening up a record. It’s a more interactive experience.”
If you’re worried about a narrow selection, don’t be. The store also sets itself apart from other shops with its system of buying and trading records. Their trading process is pretty standard— trade records for store credit or sell them for cash. “In the past few months, we’ve started seeing people bringing in used records, which I think really helps.” Trading brings in a whole new set of local flavors into the store's already unique selection. “You don’t want people to see the same stuff every time and we’ve been getting tons of stuff which is a cool change over of product.”
It’s a packed shop by the time I head out. People outside are peeking in through the windows with interest. A small business booming during COVID isn’t one that you would expect to hear, but Joey and his crew have defied those expectations and created the coolest new music space in Watertown.
Check out Wanna Hear It Records in person at 7 Main St in Watertown and on Instagram @wannahearitrecords.