In the final instalment of our Women of Rough Trade mini series, Locks from London’s Rough Trade East store tells us her tips for 2018, reveals what she loves most about the capital’s music scene, and explains how RT is welcoming more women into its stores…
Tell us about your role at Rough Trade; what does your typical day look like?
I work with the books in Rough Trade East. Books are cool. Depending on the day depends on what I do; a lot of booking in deliveries which are constant throughout the day. We get some great titles in and have Book of the Month, which is currently Viv Albertine’s ‘To Throw Away Unopened’. We also have a publisher of the month too, this just changed to Unbound so it’s been a case of changing that over. I help in the other departments as well, especially coming up to Record Store Day, everyone’s getting involved.
If you could have any band or artist play in store, who would you choose?
Jamie T. Simple. Skinny Lister would be amazing as well.
How is Rough Trade encouraging more women into its stores?
We do a lot of in-store events with female artists. We recently had Tracey Thorn promoting her new book and Goat Girl, Dream Wife, Superoganisim and more all performed in store. Plus, the women here are so lovely and so unique, they’ve all got their individual style and Rough Trade really encourages and embraces that.
What’s your favourite thing about the music scene in London?
There’s always something happening somewhere. Open mics, showcases, gigs, friends in bands performing, buskers. You don’t have to look far to find music and it’s so open to every different style. London’s a hard audience at times, but they’re a loyal one. There’s some amazing independent venues too which have popped up over the past few years such as Omeara, Paper Dress Vintage & Oslo.
If you went to live on a desert island, which 3 records would you pack?
Whenever anyone asks something like this you know you forget the actual ones you want to take. But mine would be:
Jamie T – Kings & Queens
Shivaree – I Oughta Give You A Shot In The Head For Making Me Live In This Dump
Tom Waits – Real Gone
Which female musicians are you loving most right now?
I’m really enjoying the new Caroline Rose album Loner, the lyrics and melodies are great, it has a real feel-good vibe. She seems effortlessly cool & genuine, she’d probably be a laugh on a night out. I think everyone in RT East is loving it.
What are your tips for 2018? Any new artists we should know about?
There’s loads of bands slowly making an appearance now, there’s the Brixton movement that’s causing a lot of ripples as well. I’d keep an eye on a chap called Lonely Tourist, he’s Bristol based but originally from Glasgow. He’s really down to earth and has already put out a great collection of albums and getting some amazing airplay from 6Music. He’s going back to the old style, foot stomping, scrappy guitar style that just gets you up and dancing. He’s also involved in Plume of Feathers, which is a concept band about the decline of the British Pub and has this beautiful artwork that accompanies the live shows.
Check out what’s new this week at Rough Trade here.
