Phonica Records opened its doors in 2003 amidst a climate of closing record stores and splintering genres in electronic music. Founded by Simon Rigg, Tom Relleen and Heidi Van Den Amstel with backing from The Vinyl Factory (who run FACT Magazine and the original EMI vinyl pressing plant), Phonica’s goal was to be a destination for all kinds of dance and electronic music and to be a welcoming, knowledgeable hub, open to all. The shop opened with little fanfare but slowly built up a strong word-of-mouth reputation, initially bolstered by the trio’s relationship with their previous shop, Koobla Records, based nearby on Berwick…
