Why Studium Is Important

Studium, a new record store and retail space for designer and handmade goods, is open now on Austin’s East 5th Street. The space is a collaboration between Byron & Blue boutique and Punctum Records and has already begun to operate as a venue for musical performances. The store celebrated its official grand opening this past weekend with artists from the Punctum Records roster, RF Shannon, Dark West, Jess Williamson, and The Loblolly Boy, performing throughout the day. Although I could say plenty about these excellent performers, the occasion has me thinking about a bigger picture.

Goods at the Studium opening.

Studium represents the idea that people value human interaction. In the early days of records stores, particularly independent record stores, those operations were generally connected to specific groups of artists. These physical outposts were channels through which regional artists could bring their work to the public and avoid corporate avenues. Studium has the feel of a communal congregation of like minds. It’s nice that it doesn’t feel like a bar. It’s attached to The Brew and Brew, so sure, there’s beer, but there’s also coffee and food and books and art.

Adam Hilton, owner of Accrue Cassettes.

The store also stands out as a bastion of idealism. At least that’s the way I see it. I’m speaking for myself here, and this shouldn’t be seen as a statement on the part of the store owners themselves. But I, for one, don’t think idealism should be such a dirty word. Of course, we’ve all got to live with one foot in reality. But the other should be firmly planted in a vision of what we want the world to look like. When did America’s dreamers become so defeated that having lofty ideas became a trait to avoid?

John Aiden Higgs, local arts supporter.

Yes, digital releases, single tracks skyrocketing up the charts, and commercial licensing have become the desired modes of the current age, but so important is to see these for what they are: choices. It always bugs me to hear people chalk something up to eventuality; “That’s just the way things are,” I hear, or that old platitude: the wave of the future. As if we have no agency. But we do. We get to choose. I like the the physical act of putting a record on a turntable. Forget the argument over what sounds better. I like that records necessitate the consideration of artwork and liner notes. Where would we be without some of the most iconic record covers? The photography of William Eggleston comes to mind. We get to choose what our future looks like.

Looking out Studium’s front window.

It’s easy to accept the trends as they are bought, sold, and marketed to us. It’s easy to push download on iTunes (not that you shouldn’t or that this is inherently evil or wrong). It takes more time and more effort to go to a record store or to find a handmade garment, but it may be worth it. If you like physical artifacts of identity and human interaction, I’m challenging you to make the decision to invest in the culture you want with your time and money. The personal is political. The time to vote is now.

All photographs © Bryan C. Parker & Pop Press International; all rights reserved. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.