Music of Redruth
Club nights where the punters are the DJs are going down a storm, says KEV DOWNING of Lucky’s Record Bar. But your music must be available on vinyl...
Record Club Night started at The Art Room in November 2022. Since then, we've held it in various venues, including The Railway Club and The Oxford. We run the event about once every two months, each with a different theme. The last one was ‘Time,’ which took place the weekend the clocks went back. For each event, people play three songs that fit the theme—whether it's related to the band name, the song title, or the lyrics. Everyone gets to DJ and everyone gets to dance to their friends' records. The music spans everything from cheesy '80s pop to weird '60s psych. Anything goes as long as it fits the theme and is on vinyl.
A couple of months ago, a group came who had been in a charity shop just before the event, searching through the singles for records to play. Sometimes, we don’t get through everyone—26 people played one Saturday. With the café, The Wooden Box, I’ve got a record player. People come into the shop, bring their vinyl, and play it there. It’s open to anybody. DJing at this level isn’t hard, and the atmosphere is inclusive. Everyone has a good time, and we’ve received lots of positive comments about how we’ve created something special.
“Despite all the technological advances people are still buying records.”
Kev Downing
I opened Lucky’s Record Bar during the pandemic. A small unit in the Buttermarket became available—tiny and cheap. I thought, “I’ll see how it goes.” It turned out to be the smallest record shop in England. We’ve helped bring more people to the town. Redruth has a bit more of an artistic edge now—lots of arty types around. The point was to get people into town, supporting local businesses, and it worked for us. People got to know us through the events we put on.
Running a business can be tough, especially with the High Street not being what it once was, but I do a lot of independent releases that other shops don’t carry, so I attract customers. Despite all the technological advances, people are still buying records. For older people, it’s a bit nostalgic—holding a physical record and playing it. For younger people, it’s about the artwork and lyrics. You can’t do that with a download.
“It’s open to anybody. It’s not hard to DJ at this sort of level. It’s very inclusive. Everyone has a good time..”
Kevin Downing
THE TOWN I KNOW...
Redruth-born PASSMAN, from Cornish rapping duo Hedluv and Passman, shares his affection for the town
I always thought Redruth was a great place to live and grow up. When I was younger, my house was close to the local parks, and many of the people who attended the junior school—Trewirgie School—lived nearby. It felt like I had a lot of freedom to come and go.
We’re recording a new album right now called ‘My Best Always’, after our old school motto, because we went to Trewirgie School together.
Growing up somewhere gives you a deep affection for the place that’s hard to explain. It’s tied to your personal experiences and childhood memories.
I think Redruth has a lot going for it. It certainly has a vibe, depending on what you’re into. For example, Kev opened Lucky’s Record Bar, and people travel from all over to go there. He has a regular clientele, with people coming from as far as Newlyn—that’s almost a weekly occurrence. A lot of record shop owners can be quirky individuals, and Kev definitely has a welcoming demeanor
Charity shopping is good in Redruth, and there’s a bit of a vintage scene. The buildings are interesting too—the architecture in general is pretty cool.
I occasionally like to take a walk up Carn Brea, and that’s definitely something worth the cost of the train over. That’s probably my favourite place.
You asked if Redruth has changed—but I’m not sure it really has. Towards the end of the ’90s and early 2000s, there were lots of vacant spaces in the town. But I think people are being encouraged to move to Redruth now, and it’s seeing the emergence of a more vibrant arts scene.
There does seem to be a lot of people now—a community of creators—that maybe weren’t here before. It’s got a sort of roughness about it—an authentic Cornishness, like lots of Cornish towns—but there’s also a lot going on and a vibrant, artistic community.
Everyone just wishes everyone the best. It’s beneficial for everyone if someone’s doing well
Eddie’s music inspires naming of The Ladder
A song that came out of a project on John Passmore Edwards highlighted one of his most eye-catching quotes and it’s a pretty pertinent one for the new occupants of the library he funded.
Eddie Callis is a passionate creative based in Cornwall. He’s a multidisciplinary artist with skills in painting, ceramics, installations, and film. He’s also an excellent musician, and one of his recent musical projects ended up having quite an impact here in Redruth.
Back in 2017, Eddie was commissioned to write a musical piece about John Passmore Edwards, the locally born 19th-century philanthropist who worked tirelessly to build a better life for so many people. (You can read more about him on page 3.)
Part of Edwards’ legacy includes the building of many libraries across Cornwall—including the one in Redruth. When Josh Nawras and Felix Mortimer took over that building to create a new cultural hub, they found inspiration for a name after hearing Eddie’s song, Climbing the Ladders.
Passmore Edwards famously said that if he “funded the ladder, the poor might climb.” Eddie’s song plays with that idea—about him inspiring the working classes to climb the ladder through education.
For the Passmore Edwards project, which Eddie did with Redruth-based company Shallal Arts, he worked alongside his equally talented mum, Jacqui. They took inspiration from music that was popular during Edwards’ time and created a playful, period-style song. Eddie performed it dressed in full character—top hat and tails.
Eddie has a unique gift for translating joy through his work, and you really feel that in Climbing the Ladder. You also get a sense of his genuine passion for learning about Passmore Edwards—his life, and his values. Eddie has been dancing and performing with Shallal since 2008.