Record Store Profile: Songland Records ACT

What is your store called?

Songland Records

Where are you located?

Inside Cooleman Court, Weston in Canberra

Tell us about the people behind the scenes?

Frog Harris, Songland's Owner is an industry veteran having spent 45 years in retail worked for RCA/BMG and CBS/Sony as well as extensive media work

When and why did the store open?

Songland opened in 1995, and was always the long term dream of Frog's to have his own store. The positioning statement of the store is "The Home of the Hard to Find and throughout its 30 years open, has delivered on its promise of carrying different music & movies, as well as hosting so many instore appearances, and moving into the production,selling and promotion of legendary Australian acts who no longer receive the industry support they deserve.

What do your customers most know you for?

Hmmm....for the majority of time, appearing on radio and tv each week promoting music and concerts. More recently, the production and promotion of the Australian acts who needed the support of someone passionate enough to give the time and experience to these individual projects. These releases include several by Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil, V. Spy V. Spy, ReggaeSpys and right now, Swanee.

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

Well, on pre-orders in preparation for its release on August 1, Swanee's upcoming album called Believe.

What is the most popular evergreen title?

Through some amazingly successful promotions over the years, there are several which include : "Johnny Horton's Greatest Hits", Marty Robbins' "Gunfighter Ballads", Melinda Schneider's "Melinda Does Doris"and John Schumann's "Behind The Lines".

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

The opportunity to work with heritage acts whose music is still so popular today with physical product loving customers, and the ability to work directly with their fans and our clientele.

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

The lazy demise of Australian artists' physical stock by our wholesale industry who think an active digital world can replace the need and demand for CDs and Records. The music industry works best when product is made available, and promoted correctly, offering genuine choice for fans. You cannot promote the argument that something isn't selling, when you don't actually make it in the first place-and tell people it's available. As a retail store owner, I have successfully proven this point over many decades, the exact same way record companies used to do when they followed the exact same principles.