You Can’t Just Sell Records: A Heartfelt Documentary Celebrating Music, Community, and Vinyl Records

Double Farley Creative Partners is thrilled to announce the release of You Can’t Just Sell Records, a captivating new documentary that delves into the heart of independent record store culture, timed perfectly for Record Store Day on April 12.

You can watch the trailer here

The documentary tells the story of Ron, a passionate music lover who opens a vinyl record shop in his hometown of Whanganui, quickly transforming it from mere retail, into a vibrant hub for a diverse community of music enthusiasts and collectors. As Ron dreams of expanding his business and competing with larger retailers, he discovers that selling music is about more than just transactions; it’s about fostering connections and sharing the stories behind the records.

“This film is a celebration of independent record stores and the communities they cultivate,” says Director Kevin Double. “We wanted to capture the magic of these spaces and highlight the vital role they play in curating our musical tastes, supporting local artists, and fostering community. Releasing in conjunction with Record Store Day just feels right.”

The 53-minute documentary features an eclectic soundtrack from both emerging and established Whanganui-based musicians, showcasing the rich talent within the region. You Can’t Just Sell Records is more than just a film about a record store; it’s a celebration of the power of recorded music to bring people together.

In keeping with the film’s focus on physical music formats, the documentary will initially be released on limited edition DVD and will be available at independent music stores across the country from April 12.

People in Whanganui will get a sneak peek at a pre-release screening on April 5, which will include a Q&A with Ron and the filmmakers.

Find out more about You Can’t Just Sell Records here