Independent record seller Bee is the heart and soul behind Crazy Diamond Records. Bee goes into detail on how the idea of becoming a record seller blossomed into a reality, what albums and artists mean the most to her and the importance of physical music.

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How did the idea of Crazy Diamond Records come about?

Bee: I was at a bit of a crossroads with my job in the Police. I started in the role when I was 19 originally as a call handler, then left to do my policing degree to become a Police Officer. You do a degree and you feel like you have to use it. So I was going to move down to Southampton and after about an hour and half outside of Bristol, I felt this kind of homesickness. Everything was screaming at me that I didn’t want to do it. I felt so sick and that this isn’t what I want to do after three years of studying. After a lot of tears in the car, my partner at the time looked at nearby record shops. I have always found them to be a safe space. If I ever had tough calls or assignments, I would go to a record shop. We went to Eric’s. There was a woman who worked there who noticed I was really sad. I told her absolutely everything.’I Feel Love’ by Donna Summer was playing and I admitted to them that I wanted to sell records. They had no clue who I was but they believed me straight away. They gave me some practical advice and everything just felt like it was meant to happen. By the time I got into Southampton, I had my name, my logo and bought a website domain. The only thing that was stopping me was myself. I realised I needed to give this a try.

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Was there a particular song, artist or record that made you fall in love with music?

Bee: I am really fortunate to have a family that is rooted in music. Every dinner, every Sunday morning, it was Radio 1. Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs was played religiously. My Grandad was into everything really, from Gabrielle to Katie Melua, Queen, Wet Wet Wet. Every time I would go to my Grandparents, there would always be music on. There have been so many family events linked to music. My Dad loves Elton John and we got the chance to go see him live which was unbelievable. My Mum gave all my love for Foo Fighters to 50 Cent. It is hard to think of one in particular. Funnily enough it links back to Eric’s but Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’. It is my Dads go to track. It will be the track we put him in the ground to. My first record was either OK Computer (Radiohead) or American Idiot (Green Day). That album back to back is still relevant today. 

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Is there an artist/band that you discovered very early on in their careers that has since blossomed to a new level?

Bee: I guess Catfish & the Bottlemen is for me. Their debut album came out when I was about 14 or 15, and I had a lot of anger in me and I didn’t know why. Another one would be Little Simz. I have a lot of love for her work. 

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As a record seller, collector and lover, is there a particular alternative artwork or variant that stands out to you?

Bee: I have a Pearl Jam picture disc that is beautiful. It is so sick. Some people don’t like picture discs in terms of quality but it’s Pearl Jam, you can’t go wrong. I am really proud to have her and keep her tucked away. I do have some really cool Alice In Chains and Soundgarden stuff which hopefully will help me buy a house.

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After taking on some advice from the staff at Eric’s and starting this journey, do you have an end goal?

Bee: I am here to just play. Just play around with new things and that also relates into my life outside of music. When I first drew what I wanted the business to be was the shop. Neon sign, go down every day and open it, but the more I have done markets, a shop probably isn’t for me. I like moving about, meeting and chatting to new people. With some savings from last year, I am looking at converting a horse trailer and taking that to festivals. I get to see music but I am also bringing music to people. I go to Whitby goth weekends as I have a soft spot for new wave and goth. I am hoping that when I get this horse trailer sorted, I can then take new wave up to Whitby. If I am brave enough to do Boomtown, I can take dance and trance to that sort of scene. I am really happy where I am starting. I still get surprised when people like what I do and I get to speak to new people all the time. If I knew what the end goal was, I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.

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Why is physical music important?

Bee: It is so vital. It is one of those things, to own something and to hold it. I was down in North Devon and I was playing some music at a VW camper festival, and at the time it was ‘Brothers In Arms’ by Dire Straits. This woman came over to me and said that the record just reminded her of her dad. She didn’t have a record player but she needed it, and she walked away holding it. That encapsulates everything about physical media. It’s playful. I have a listening booth on the table and kids would come up and be intrigued by it. You get to keep it, own it and appreciate it.

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Is there a record that you are still searching for to have in your collection?
Bee: Maybe that would be how I know I’ve made it. I don’t have a first pressing of ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Pink Floyd). I have named my business after that album. They’ve just done the 50th anniversary box set for it and it looked really cool. I didn’t go for it but after seeing people open it, I wish I did.