What music should we play in our retail store?
September 27, 2010 12:33 PM Subscribe
I need to put together playlists for a new retail store Mrs. Webhund and I are opening soon. We're both totally NOT the musical types, but don't want to go the commercial "muzak" route.
To set the stage, our business sells culinary herbs, spices, chiles, salts, olive oils and balsamics and our clientele is pretty broad, but mostly 30+. Our decor is contemporary and colorful. Fairly sleek look, but not sterile. Opposite of country/kitsch if you will. We're thinking we'd like to put together a bunch of differently themed playlists depending on the mood of the day and what we're emphasizing in the store. Will play anything from classical to techno to ....., but NO country.
(Note: We've got the licensing/royalty thing covered, so no reminders needed on that).
Give us your great ideas for creating awesome playlists to create a great atmosphere in a really cool space.
To set the stage, our business sells culinary herbs, spices, chiles, salts, olive oils and balsamics and our clientele is pretty broad, but mostly 30+. Our decor is contemporary and colorful. Fairly sleek look, but not sterile. Opposite of country/kitsch if you will. We're thinking we'd like to put together a bunch of differently themed playlists depending on the mood of the day and what we're emphasizing in the store. Will play anything from classical to techno to ....., but NO country.
(Note: We've got the licensing/royalty thing covered, so no reminders needed on that).
Give us your great ideas for creating awesome playlists to create a great atmosphere in a really cool space.
You could do worse than to pick up the Buddha Bar series of discs. Or just stream "Groove Salad" from SomaFM.
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:42 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:42 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
I think Penguin Cafe Orchestra is a good choice for upbeat and catchy, but subtle, background music. Start with Broadcasting from Home if you want to give them a test drive.
posted by phunniemee at 12:45 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by phunniemee at 12:45 PM on September 27, 2010
I took a great liking to the Pennies from Heaven soundtrack a few years ago--that's Pennies from Heaven the BBC miniseries, not the film. It's 3 entire CDs of Depression-era British jazz from artists like Al Bowlly, Lew Stone, and Roy Fox. It's classy and unique. My buddies all range from 20-something to 40-something and the worst reaction I have ever seen was that someone thought it was funny. I think I paid $150 on eBay for mine but it looks like you can get it for $70 on Amazon now.
posted by heatvision at 1:10 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by heatvision at 1:10 PM on September 27, 2010
Yma Sumac's Mambo! album.
Maybe some Kronos Quartet albums. Nuevo springs to mind.
posted by hermitosis at 2:34 PM on September 27, 2010
Maybe some Kronos Quartet albums. Nuevo springs to mind.
posted by hermitosis at 2:34 PM on September 27, 2010
Best answer: Why not see if there are any local musicians who have CDs you can play? Tell them what you are looking for so the wrong people (i.e. Waylon Jennings) don't apply. They would probably let you do that in exchange for a display informing customers of what they are hearing or even a small kiosk with copies of their music. Place an ad on craigslist or on local bulletin boards and newspaper classified lists. #KEEPITLOCAL
posted by billtron at 2:56 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by billtron at 2:56 PM on September 27, 2010
Best answer: Have you considered engaging the Muzak corporation? They do a lot more than elevator music these days.
Not to put to fine a point on it, but what you are describing is exactly the Muzak corporation's gig these days: putting together playlists to suit the particulars of your establishment. They do everything from department stores to Williams Sonoma to Abercrombie & Fitch. It would seem that you are in fact going exactly the Muzak route.
Don't get me wrong, I admire the DIY spirit and realize the necessity of it when bootstrapping a business.
A number of Francois Hardy tracks might work well in this situation, and as a bonus they're in french so the sound extra sophisticated. :)
posted by desl at 7:44 PM on September 27, 2010
Not to put to fine a point on it, but what you are describing is exactly the Muzak corporation's gig these days: putting together playlists to suit the particulars of your establishment. They do everything from department stores to Williams Sonoma to Abercrombie & Fitch. It would seem that you are in fact going exactly the Muzak route.
Don't get me wrong, I admire the DIY spirit and realize the necessity of it when bootstrapping a business.
A number of Francois Hardy tracks might work well in this situation, and as a bonus they're in french so the sound extra sophisticated. :)
posted by desl at 7:44 PM on September 27, 2010
desi is right. I actually read a really interesting article about Muzak that described their current business model. Although to be fair, most people think of elevator music when they hear Muzak. But I digress.
I think some big band/jazz/swing, might be fun, mixed with some electrojazz like Verve Remixed would give a good feel.
posted by radioamy at 8:03 PM on September 27, 2010
I think some big band/jazz/swing, might be fun, mixed with some electrojazz like Verve Remixed would give a good feel.
posted by radioamy at 8:03 PM on September 27, 2010
Thirding soma.fm, and be sure to donate if you use it...it's listener-supported!
posted by slogger at 7:26 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by slogger at 7:26 AM on September 28, 2010
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posted by mintcake! at 12:42 PM on September 27, 2010