By Morgan Willie
For most of us, music is an integral part of life. It can move us to action, or put us in our place. It can help us envision the future, and remind us of the past. Whether you’re a shower songsmith, a radio rocker, or vivacious virtuoso, it’s not difficult to agree what boundless value and entertainment music adds to our everyday routines.
But, for a select few, music isn’t simply one aspect of life – it is life.
Co-owners of Olympia’s Deadbeat Records, Daniel Ryan and Brandon Rowley, know this best of all.
Rowley began selling off parts of his record collection in 2010 due to overflow and crowding on his shelves at home in Moscow, Idaho. Ryan was the shop’s biggest fan. He volunteered in exchange for music when he could. The two started an all-vinyl radio show and became close companions. In 2014, they relocated to Olympia and they’ve only grown since.
“The mission of Deadbeat has been to provide a safe place for music to grow and for people to come out and experience it,” Ryan said. “Olympia has an insanely wonderful music scene and it’s thriving, but it’s all downtown.”
Deadbeat aims to reach a broader crowd around their location on Division Street. They recognize that the capital’s community has always been fond and uplifting of local art.
“There is so much richness to what’s happening here and there always has been,” Ryan exclaimed. “Rainy Day Records has been a staple in the community for over 30 years and Funk Fuzz is such a beautifully curated shop. I have so much respect for both shops. But, we add on a different level of selection, a different level of staff involvement.”
Deadbeat’s volunteers are adamant about discussing music and helping you find new beats.
“I try and relate with customers and understand what sort of a musical background they’re at, what kind of sounds move them,” Ryan said. [I’ll know that I’ve succeeded] if I can put something in their hands that’s similar or maybe provide a whole new genre of music to look into.”
And, while Deadbeat blends into Olympia seamlessly, there are a few things that set them apart.
“We are unique because we are more than just a record store. We are an all ages venue, we sell alternative comics, Atari games and systems, and we welcome visual artists to hang their work on our walls,” Rowley noted.
Volunteer Rachel Carlson enjoyed seeing shows at the record shop so much that she decided to apply for a staff position. She enjoys picking up new cassettes and has found many to her liking on Deadbeat’s shelves.
“Deadbeat features tons of new, local and touring artists’ work,” Carlson mentioned. “I just used my in-store credit to pick up some Kool Keith. I love the support that Deadbeat gives to local artists.”
The record shop tries to provide the best diversity of sounds possible, allowing some access to music that may not be available on iTunes.
“Any record shop can bring in the coolest, trendiest records that are happening, even on an indie level,” Ryan said. “One thing I definitely encourage with our volunteers is to really explore what we have. A lot of times our new stuff has come from even the artists that aren’t touring and that don’t have label support.”
Ryan noted that Deadbeat’s selection puts emphasis on music that’s genuine and sincere, rather than filtered and auto tuned. He spoke very affectionately about the notion of owning an album’s physical copy.
“There is more to the experience of listening to a record, and some of it’s lost in the translation of a digital wave file,” he said. “With the layout, feel, and collectability of it, it’s just a completely different experience.”
And, Rowley felt similarly to Ryan.
“Owning a physical copy means you have a limited artifact,” he commented. “You not only get the artwork and etcetera, but also you’ve supported the band directly and you’ve built an actual collection.”
Looking toward the future, Deadbeat hopes to keep expanding and transforming their music selection while helping to cultivate what’s happening in Thurston County musically. The relationship that the record shop has built with its partners and customers has been mutually beneficial.
“We reach out to the community, but we’ve found that the community itself has been largely supportive of us,” Rowley said. “In addition to local artists and musicians, numerous local businesses and residents have shown interest. We are actually becoming known across the country and even the world.”
Ryan can’t wait to see what the future of the shop holds. He is more than elated to be involved with selling, organizing, and playing tunes from several of his favorite bands.
“For me, music is what gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s always been super important in my life,” Ryan explained. “I live and breathe music. When I get up in the morning it’s all I think about. When I’m working my day job at the gas station, I’m often jotting down lyrics or pulling out my audio recorder on my phone and singing into it. I feel lucky to be a part of the community here.”
Deadbeat welcomes one and all to take a browse through their collection. With staff whose lives revolve around music, they’re sure to help you find just the right item to bring home.
Deadbeat Records is located at 226 Division Street NW in West Olympia. Keep up to date at Deadbeat Records’ Facebook page.
