| Calgary’s Smalltown DJs have opened a small-town record and clothing shop in the same eclectic block as the popular Galaxy Diner.
Al Testa, Pete Emes and Mike Grimes, who have been playing together since about 1997, opened the doors to Giant 45 (1403 - 11 St. S.W.) in mid-March. The name refers back to the first release of 12-inch 45 singles about 30 years ago, when they appeared giant in comparison with the usual 7-inchers. They describe the venture as a lifestyle shop, selling music and clothing as well as providing a showcase for art.
"We’re not really trying to be just a music shop – opening up a record store is a small part of what we’ve always wanted to do," says Emes from behind a vase of congratulatory pink lilies at the front counter.
"We’re all into the skate scene and the art scene that goes with that, so we wanted to open up a lifestyle shop which would encompass all our interests."
The unique little shop showcases clothing not previously available in the city, like the Commonwealth Stacks brand from Girl Skateboards designer Mike Leon, as well as RUCA, Ruby and other labels backed by well-known designers and artists in the skateboard world.
"These are their side projects and we wanted to give them a bit more exposure in Calgary," says Emes. "I think there are people in Calgary who want that stuff and want to have access to it, but they haven’t had the opportunity."
The shop also gives local artists from the skateboard, grafitti and music communities an informal setting where they can display their work. Two series of paintings by Tim Barnard currently adorn the walls, along with three paintings by Clay from Critical Mass. The store also benefits from the skills of native Calgarian and former Stussy designer Geoff McFetridge, who created some of its T-shirts and logos.
The concept behind Giant 45 is similar to that of Antisocial, a shop that opened a year ago in Vancouver. Upon entering, people aren’t suddenly splashed with the usual sea of clothing and stimulation. Instead, the carefully chosen items are interspersed with local art, inviting people to take a break from shopping and stick around to listen to a few records and flip through the zines and design books or the infamous Vice Guide to Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll.
The selection of records and CDs displayed in the rear of the store looks like it could be someone’s private collection, with everything from James Brown to Talking Heads, Derrick Carter, Aim and DJ Marky.
"With the music and the clothing, we saw a niche of things that weren’t being covered so much," says Emes. "Musically we’re really funk-oriented because that’s a love of all three of ours. We carry that kind of music and the music that it has spawned – everything from classic hip-hop and breaks to house and drum and bass, and we’re also into rock," he says. "We’re not indie rocker-type emos, but you know, we like to rock out sometimes."
It’s hard to believe the trio only seriously started to consider opening the shop a few months ago. Combining Emes’s background in finance from working with geology companies, Testa’s wealth of experience at various record shops and Grimes’s graphic design background, they quickly got their idea spinning.
"It’s more fun than working downtown," says Emes with a grin.
The Smalltown DJs can be caught Saturday nights at the Embassy, and Emes and Grimes play every Thursday at the Night Gallery Cabaret. Emes also does his thing Friday nights at the Mercury.
"The attitude of the nights is kind of a similar thing as what we’re trying to do with the shop," says Emes. "It’s just kind of cool shit that we’re into and we think that there’s enough other people that would be into it too.
"We just play music that we listen to and that we dig, and we get the crowd going, and we try not to be too pretentious about it. We just like to make a party." |
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