Knowle gets niche music shop run by former mental health nurse
A rock and heavy metal-loving former NHS mental health nurse is opening a music shop for vinyl enthusiasts.
John Ellis is launching Slow Century Records on Knowle High Street this Saturday (Nov 8).
The shop will feature a curated selection of new and pre-loved records across the rock, metal, prog and alternative sounds genres. It will also stock musics from Midlands-based artists.
John spent more than 20 years as mental health nurse across the West Midlands.
10 years in the music industry
For the past 10 years he has built a career and a reputation as a DJ, festival booker, promoter and broadcaster on Atom Heart Mutha.
On Hard Rock Hell Radio, John hosted a regular show where he interviewed rock icons such as Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and Riley Hawk.
He promoted and booked acts including The Darkness, Skid Row, Wilko Johnson and Hawkwind, and worked behind the scenes on album releases via Off Yer Rocka Records, releasing records for The Quireboys.
John’s DJ career has taken him from O2 Academy venues in Birmingham, Sheffield and London, to rock festivals and events in Ibiza and boat parties in the Balearics.
‘The joy of music’
Slow Century Records is a chapter that brings John closer to home.
“Music has always been about connection – whether that’s helping people through a tough time or sharing a record that means something,” said John.
“Slow Century Records is about slowing down, listening properly and rediscovering the joy of music with other people.”
Slow Century Records is located at 1588 High Street, Knowle, Solihull.
