Chris Farrell: 'Idle Hands really means something to people. I'm proud of that'
Posted on: 28 Dec 2019This article was first published in LOUD Magazine Issue One, released in November 2019.
Record stores worldwide have taken a hit over the last few years, but in Bristol and other cities across the UK, the ones still standing have become vital parts of their respective communities. Matt Robson met with Idle Hands boss Chris Farrell to discuss how his has flourished in a competitive environment and how he keeps things fresh in the digital age.
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone involved in Bristol music that isn’t a big supporter of Idle Hands, such is the stellar reputation that Chris has cultivated over the course of the last ten (ish) years.
“Bristol is a city that punches well above its weight in terms of its musical output,” he tells me when we sit down to chat around the corner from his City Road store. He’s not wrong, and it’s for that reason that he’s so passionate about promoting local artists and championing the Bristol sound.
You'll find a wide range of Bristol music on the shelves at Idle Hands, alongside old and new albums from electronic artists from around the world.
Bristol artists and labels are an ever-present fixture at Idle Hands, surrounded by a broad stock of music from around the world and across the electronic spectrum, including house, techno, garage, Italo, breakbeat, electro, reggae & dub and much more.
“I think I can hear what will sell,” Chris says, having cut his teeth working at established stores like Imperial and Rooted Records through the 2000s before opening his own. “But I’ll happily recommend other stores if I think they’ve got something we haven’t.”
“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know everything,” he continues, “and as someone that sells music for a living it’s on me to look things up and keep learning if somebody comes in asking for something I haven’t heard of.”
Idle Hands relocated to City Road in 2017, leaving their original HQ on Stokes Croft.
As a result, as well as the expansive selection of Bristol music there’s stock from all corners of electronic music on the shelves at Idle Hands – you’re as likely to find the latest release from Nina Kraviz’ label or a reissue of an old Danny Krivit remix as you are a Roni Size record or debut from a Bristol newcomer.
It was a soft spot for Bristol music initially that pushed Chris to involve himself in the scene here after moving South in 2001. He explains that he’s always felt the city is “looked down on a bit, even though it’s home to so many great artists and labels”, and can’t help but feel a bit disappointed when people get good things going locally then move on to London or elsewhere.
“A lot of people get things off the ground here and then leave,” he says, “but I was really keen on the idea of trying to solidify Bristol as a real hub of electronic music.” With that drive to contribute something of his own, and the encouragement of close friends including now-firmly established DJs Shanti Celeste, Kowton and Sean Kelly, Chris realised a long-standing ambition and opened his own store in 2011.
The original Idle Hands team in 2011. From left to right: Kowton, Shanti Celeste, Chris Farrell and Sean Kelly.
Initially set up in the heart of Stokes Croft and sharing a space with musical hardware specialists Elevator Sound, Idle Hands moved around the corner to their current City Road location in 2017. I ask if there was any hesitation given that moving away from the main road through Stokes Croft could have potentially affected business.
“I just got a gut feeling and went with it,” Chris replies. “The move wasn’t forced but it felt like a good time to refresh the store, and at the time I knew that if I went Elevator Sound could have a shop front, so it was kind of for everyone’s benefit really.” The Elevator Sound team have since been able to make the Stokes Croft space their own and build more of a solid base for their operation.
That community ethic and focus on support for other people and businesses is at the heart of Idle Hands’ setup, and it’s evident in all aspects of the store's operation. From the prominence of Bristol artists and labels on the shelves to providing the space to locally-run initiatives like Mix Nights (who run semi-regular Open Decks sessions out of the store) and local labels like Pressure Dome (who just launched their first release in-store), the team are proud to maintain support for fellow members of the local scene.
Bristol labels and other collectives often use Idle Hands for Open Decks nights, release parties and more.
The way Bristol’s musical community regards Idle Hands in return is a reflection of the admiration Chris has for the city itself. The relationship between the two brings home the continued importance of local record stores in the digital age.
“It took a few years for me to realise, but I’m really pleased with what we’ve put together here,” he says, “and it’s nice to feel like I’ve done something good. Fundamentally it’s just a fucking shop selling records, but if you look past that it really means something to people and I’m proud of that.”
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Article by:
Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.
