Into The Music
For over 30 years Into The Music has been Winnipeg’s gateway to the world of vinyl records.
Greg Tonn opened Into The Music new and used record store more than 30 years ago and proved himself ahead of the curve by continuing to stock vinyl even when CDs made them seem obsolete. With vinyl’s comeback in recent years, people all over the world scour his store’s online offerings while locals flip through LPs on the shelves of his expansive Exchange District Store. One thing that has always made the experience at Into The Music exceptional is their enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff. Garry Watson, one of the managers, talked to the Local Frequency about what it’s like working at an iconic Winnipeg record store.
Q:How long has into the Music been at this location?
A: We’ve been in this location for almost 16 years now.
Q: And there’s another location as well now?
A: That one we took over about a year or so ago [Into the Music bought the former Music Trader in Osborne Village in January 2018 but they are now closing it] and we’ll be closing that location in June.
Q: Tell us how Into the Music started?
A: It started in 1987, so almost 31 or 32 years ago. Greg had graduated from the business program at Red River. He worked in Edmonton at a record store, decided that’s what he wanted to do, and used his collection to start the store in Corydon. It was a one-man business for probably six months. He brought in another guy because business took off. This is one of the few stores that always kept vinyl although it had fallen out of favour at the point. CDs had starting coming in. He moved to Osborne and Wardlaw for about 5 or 6 years where they had vinyl and CDs and stuff. It was really successful and I think the lease ran out. This this space came available and he was really excited about coming into the Exchange.
Q: It’s a great space. What was here before?
A: Yes, it’s a fantastic space. It may have been a bar before. Originally it was Kay’s Warehouse, so clothing.
Q: What are some of the challenges of running a business like Into the Music?
A: Well keeping stocked with used vinyl is not as easy as it sounds anymore. That’s why we’re closing down the Osborne store. We don’t have enough to go around. Otherwise just managing stock and things like that.
Q: And some of the rewards?
A: Making someone’s day basically.
Q: Tell us about some of the more rare finds?
A: We’ve sold some early Neil Young 45s. Local artists’ rare 45s, and those sold for quite a chunk of change. We have an online presence and an eBay presence. All the kind of interesting stuff is up here [he motions to a wall in the store where some rare albums, including a sealed first-edition McCartney, a signed ZZ Top Fandango! and a vinyl of Madonna’s Like a Virgin, are proudly displayed] and priced accordingly. We’ve had albums that sell for 200 or 300 dollars online; the scarcer stuff that comes through.
Q: Why is vinyl making such a comeback?
A: Vinyl is more about the total experience. You take it out, you hold it, and you can read it, as opposed to a CD cover which you can’t read. And people are nostalgic for it, or for others it’s new to them. That’s how it works: It makes you feel young again.
All photos by Kristhine Guerrero
