Record Store Profile: Badlands Records NSW

What is your store called?  

Badlands Vinyl

Where are you located? 

Tweed Heads and online here.

Tell us about the people behind the scenes?

Husband and wife team, Kim and Sylva Lloyd run badlands vinyl. Kim runs the record shop and loves local music and community, Sylva is an artist and has a studio in the back as well as art all over the walls. 

When and why did the store open?

Store opened in October 2022, we realised life was very short and we needed to have a crack at following our dreams, so we threw in jobs and started Badlands.

What do your customers most know you for?

We rep Tweed heads very hard, its the best place in Australia, just needs a kick up the ass to get the music scene cranking. We love to have local acts play instore and we supporting the community. We also just started a zine called Bad News because the Gold Coast lacked a local music mag and gig guide.

What is the most popular title you stock at the moment?

Most sold record of the year is still Fontaines DC Romance that thing is a masterpiece and just keeps on selling.

What is the most popular evergreen title?

Right now, Grace by Jeff Buckley. I love that he played Tweed Heads on his Aussie tour.

What is the best thing about running a record store in 2025?

Great Vibes! I get to work with things I love everyday and sell them to people that love them equally as much. Customers are happy as to be in here, I get to talk about what I love all day long.

What is the hardest thing about running a record store in 2025?

The cost of living, records are expensive and so is everyones bills. People won't take a chance on a new record from a new band, so I sell lots of neverminds and rumours and not so many great local acts.