#3 Jet Black Cat 

@jetblackcatmusic was part of West End’s fabric for fourteen years, and for good reason. It was more than a shop. The owner, Shannon, was (and still is) such a special person. She created a hub for community, connection, and love of music.

It was definitely one of my favourite stores. Firstly, because I was obsessed with living out an Empire Records fantasy. Secondly, Shannon is a real life angel, who loves music and people without pretence. Thirdly, it had soul; it wasn’t a sell out record store.

So many people have their own JBCM connection, whether they visited regularly, went to an in store or saw bands play in Bunyapa Park, organised by Shan.

My friend Georgia and I used to go into the shop after school in Year 11 & 12 and lust after all the beautiful records we couldn’t afford. George and another friend Eleni bought me a record player and my first record, the Middle East, for (I think) my 16th birthday from Jet Black Cat.

In an interview with the Brisbane Times, Shan shared how 50 people can fit in the corner store for a gig, however to see bigger artists, like Courtney Barnett, they needed to just draw names out of a hat. But that wasn’t the biggest show the shop pulled together. One of the most memorable performances was across the road in Bunyapa Park in 2019 for Sampa The Great.

In the BT interview, Shan said, “It was wild. The police helicopter came over, it was just crazy.”

The store also hosted Aldous Harding, Julia Jacklin, Angie McMahon, Sharon Van Etten, M Ward, Big Scary, Floodlights, Toro Y Moi, Marlon Williams and Charli XCX, and so many more throughout its time.

The success and attendance of these events opened up an opportunity to promote tours and present more shows, far and wide, which I understand is the new focus now.

We’re so lucky this beaut little shop lasted in West End all this time because it ain’t easy! But music is the best and Shan is the best so it all makes sense.

This artwork was mostly powered by Boy Genius, which had just been released at the time, and I’m not sure I’m going to do album artwork, at least not in miniature form for a loooooong time.