New Sounds

While new technology keeps on coming, the folks at Steady Sounds like to keep it classic. The new Richmond record shop recently opened and was buzzing with music lovers for October’s First Friday festival. Steady Sounds offers local music lovers a calm environment where they can socialize with friends and listen to some of their favorite records. Though the shop has not had it’s official grand opening yet, local crowds have already found their way into the warming simplicity that is Steady Sounds.

A tall sunflower and a Venus flytrap greet customers when they first walk into the record store; both give testimony to the homely atmosphere. There are wooden floors and neutral lighting. Old school records from various genres of music decorate the walls of the quaint shop on the corner of Monroe and Broad Street. The shop is owned and run by two partners, Drew Snyder and Marty Key. Key is originally from New York and Snyder is a Richmond native; both owners are part-time DJ’s.

At the time of the interview Key was away in New York performing at shows, his partner Snyder was looking over the shop. Snyder’s affinity for music is as authentic as his record collection. The store’s collection spans as far back as the 1950s, with collectors records from the likes of Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
Snyder used to work for another music store in Carrytown named Plan 9 for 11 years before opening up Steady Sounds. He took the skills he gained at Plan 9 and put them to use for his self.



“It was a good experience for the most part. I'd say it made me realize I could be doing it myself, which I am now,” Snyder noted.
His story is an inspiring one. A man who believes in good friends and good music. Perhaps the simplicity of his dream coincides with the shop’s design. Snyder’s personality was anything but busy as he explained his reasons behind opening the shop. He chose Richmond because he likes a lot of what the area has to offer.
“It's a small yet diverse city with a lot of things going on arts & music wise and still a relatively cheap place to live,” said Snyder, A combination that’s hard to find these days.

Snyder and Key funded the shop with the help of friends. Getting help from banks was a tedious task with no rewards. Snyder noted that banks just weren’t helping small stores like his at the time. Luckily Snyder and Key have friends that have businesses of their own and were happy to help support their record store dreams. Steady Sounds is set to have its grand opening in two weeks.

SOURCE
Drew Snyder
804-308-2692