Mathias Linzatti Oinas, manager of Second Spin in Archway, with event specialist Imogen Gover

A VINYL resurgence? Nope, it never went away!

That’s the opinion of Mathias Linzatti Oinas, the manager of new record store Second Spin which has just opened in Archway. The shop is selling second-hand records spanning RnB, reggae, hip-hop, house and “much, much more”.

Operating from the premises of a former Children’s Air Ambulance Service charity shop, it was reopened just two weeks ago by the same organisation, with all profits going straight to the charity.

Unusually, this charity shop will only sell vinyl and music equipment. But why have the charity opted to enter the record-selling industry?

“The general idea people have is that vinyl has made a, quote unquote, ‘comeback’. But it never left,” Mr Linzatti Oinas told the Tribune.

“Lots of record shops are definitely struggling right now, because it’s a relatively luxury item.

“But it’s not consumable – this is something that brings joy to your life and meaning.

“So we’re focusing on one specific product, and that allows us to be really good at this one thing.

“As long as we keep getting donations to keep us running and keep our helicopters flying, then we’re good.”

The donations have been coming in over the last month, thick and fast.

An extensive collection of rare reggae and dancehall records belonging to the late guitarist Phillip “Dadae” Harvey – co-founder of Soul II Soul and an Archway local – landed on the doorstep last week. Mr Harvey’s brother had been looking for a home for the records and decided to provide them completely free to Second Spin.

“His brother gave these to us, and I want to tell a bit of the story with that – so the collection is called the Phillip Harvey Collection.

Records donated from Phillip Harvey’s collection

“Phillip Harvey was a big spirit, so when you’re buying his records, you’re not just buying a record, you’re buying heritage. I want that to tell a bit of the story and that is what this shop aims to be about.”

Mr Linzatti Oinas is from Sweden and has toured Europe as a DJ. He has worked in record stores throughout his life and jumped at the opportunity to run one.

He’ll be joined behind the counter by fellow music enthusiast and event specialist Imogen Gover.

“We’ve only been open a couple of weeks and the amount of people we’ve had in from the local Archway community saying they’d seen us opening has been amazing,” Ms Gover said.

“And everyone has been so generous donating everything.”

Over the next year, the pair said they want to begin curating their own stock of new records, alongside hosting events inside the store to form a community around the neighbourhood’s talent.

Mr Linzatti Oinas added: “We just think it’s going to be really, really fun.

“And a record shop should be a watering hole, a social place. So pop in, have a chat, and see what’s spinning.”

The store is based in Junction Road and is open seven days a week from 9am to 5.30pm.

The staff said they are always on the lookout for new donations of records, and anybody interested in passing on a collection should get in touch.