Welcome to Waxxing Lyrical. Every month, we’re spotlighting one of South Africa’s plethora of independent vinyl record stores. From stalwarts to hidden gems, we’re diving deep into each store’s crates, and having some fat chats with the people behind them. Up first – Cape Town based store, ROASTIN’ RECORDS.
The year is 2012. Wentzel van der Gryp is collecting vinyl records, and his friends have just started doing the same. He’s working as a barista at Deluxe Coffee works, and reselling second hand records. An idea percolates: why not sell the records from the coffee shop? And so, ROASTIN’ RECORDS was brewed. What started as a little side hustle inside Deluxe eventually grew into its own business, and today van der Gryp quite literally opens his home to music lovers looking to rummage through the store’s carefully curated crates in the cozy, ground floor room in his house on Wandel Street.
In the fourteen years since its inception, ROASTIN’ RECORDS has become something of an institution — a go-to for local vinyl heads and a must-visit for music enthusiast tourists, while also establishing a vinyl imprint of its own. But the charm and barebones honesty of the concept has remained. Just van der Gryp, geeking out and sharing his love of music with the people around him. Oh and there’s still coffee, too.
Here’s what you can expect when you step inside, according to Wentzel:
Someone walks into the store for the first time. What do you want them to understand about this place immediately?
Van der Gryp: It’s a cozy and charming little shop packed full of amazing music and great coffee!
Is there a record in store that you think sums up the Roastin’ Records point of view best?
Van der Gryp: Not really. We have a broad focus. We sell a very wide selection of genres, and specialise in a few niches like Punk, Metal, Hardcore and Ambient. But our best-selling genres are South African jazz, Indie Rock, Folk, and popular major-label releases.
What’s the best record you’ve ever laid your hands on?
Van der Gryp: Felix Laband – 4/4 Down The Stairs
What’s an album you find yourself recommending over and over again?
Van der Gryp: This year it’s been Kevin Morby’s Little Wide Open. But some favourites I’ve had for years have been Danzig II: Lucifuge and Aldous Harding’s Designer.
What’s one record people always overlook but absolutely shouldn’t?
Van der Gryp: I can name a few! But the early Turnstile records come to mind right now. Their latest two projects are getting a lot of well deserved praise, but their earlier albums also rip!
Describe a perfect day in the store. What’s playing on the turntable, who’s walking through the door, and what’s the coffee order?
Van der Gryp: I love starting my day with SPRING by The Ibrahim Khalil Shihab Quintet, or similar South African Township Jazz. Tete Mbambisa is also often on heavy rotation. Some friends will pop in, and customers will be hanging out, talking about and listening to music. Also people are definitely drinking coffee. We sell specialty DRIPP Coffee now for only R25 a cup. Bargain!!
If your store had a soundtrack, what would it be?
Van der Gryp: Mac Motel’s Good Boy is one of the best albums I’ve played in the shop. It’s also one I’ve played the most, and one I still very often play. So definitely that! It was released in 2019 on the ROASTIN’ RECORDS Record label. The vinyl is sold out for now but I will possibly re-press it again very soon! Another record often on heavy rotation is As-Shams Archive Vol. 1: South African Jazz, Funk & Soul 1975-1982.
You can visit ROASTIN’ RECORDS at 28 Wandel St, Gardens in Cape Town every Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 – 16:00.
All photographs by Laura McCullagh.
