Welcome to Sonic Sherpa

Sonic Sherpa is an Australian record store that’s been brightening the Brisbane suburb of Stones Corner since 2015 (although the team has over a decade’s shared music retail experience from owning/running Skinnys in the Brisbane CBD back in the day).

We have a large and eclectic range of new and pre-loved vinyl on hand, as well as stocking turntables, CDs, books, DVDs and music-related t-shirts and paraphernalia. Sonic Sherpa also curates ranges for the region’s larger music festivals such as Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival (Byron Bay), CMC Rocks, Gympie Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival and many more such gatherings.

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sonic_sherpa

Indie record store in Stones Corner, Brisbane.
⛰️Specialising in music'n'stuff.
⛺️Next live instore: The Mick Medew & Ursula 4 Sat 8 Mar @ 3pm

CATCH O’ THE DAY! It’s almost right on 50 year

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
It’s almost right on 50 years since UK industrial pioneers @throbbinggristle began challenging accepted norms with their transgressive and confrontational aesthetics, both musical and visual, and they only had three albums under their belts when they first released their ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation on Rough Trade in 1980. Even decades later it remains the best encapsulation of what made Throbbing Gristle so important - AllMusic’s retrospective 4-star review reckons, “Standing heads and tails above the rest of their contemporaries, this is the best place to first discover Throbbing Gristle’s difficult but rewarding body of work. Anyone with even a passing interest in unusual and experimental music would do themselves a big favor by checking this out” - and it’s just been reissued on limited edition translucent orange vinyl, making it a great time to get avant-garde with the Gristle!
#catchotheday #throbbinggristle #greatesthits #muterecords #reissue #ukindustrialpioneers #limitededition #translucentorangevinyl #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! You gotta love a good one hit

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
You gotta love a good one hit wonder and they don’t come much more well-defined than the case of San Fran alt-rockers @4nonblondes, who sold six million copies of their 1993 debut album ‘Bigger, Better, Faster, More!’ Off the back of the stupidly catchy ‘What’s Up?’ and then split up the next year without even trying to make a follow-up. There’s no rules in rock’n’roll! Frontwoman Linda Perry became a songwriter for hire, penning hits for the likes of Pink, Adele and Gwen Stefani, but her hit album with 4 Non Blondes still bubbles away in the background - AllMusic calls it an “engaging mix of alternative rock, quasi-funk, and blues... a solid debut that got lost in the wake of its mammoth hit“ - so find out what’s going on with 4 Non Blondes, shining briefly but brightly is better than never shining at all!
#catchotheday #4nonblondes #biggerbetterfastermore #interscope #sanfranaltrock #whatsup #90sclassic #onehitwonder #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Veteran Aussie singer-songwrit

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Veteran Aussie singer-songwriter @benleemusic’s 15th solo album ‘This One’s For The Old Headz’ was recorded in LA’s 64 Sound studio with a rhythm section of indie rock royalty Jon Wurster and Jason Narducy - who were Superchunk’s live rhythm section for a decade as well as Bob Mould’s backing band for the last 15 years - and is described in the presser as being “a throwback to classic power pop albums by artists like Teenage Fanclub, Weezer, the Replacements, Big Star and the Lemonheads”. That’s a pretty big claim but definitely a noble ambition, and the album has received some strong praise in the press - Rolling Stone Australia included it in its list of the 50 Best Albums Of 2024, saying “Ben Lee might insist his latest album is ‘for the old headz’, but it’s really for power-pop fans of all ages. Doing his best Fountains of Wayne impression, Australia’s evergreen singer-songwriter has a lot of fun on ‘This One’s for the Old Headz’, and it’s impossible not to be swept up by his joyous spirit” - and we have copies on limited edition orange vinyl, so no matter where your Headz at its time to reunite with Mr Lee!
#catchotheday #benlee #thisonesfortheoldheadz #thisdisc #albumfifteen #ozrockicon #limitededition #orangevinyl #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Almost right on three years ag

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Almost right on three years ago we were lucky to host a frenetic instore by firebrand WA outfit @lastquokka as they rampaged along the east coast, that band today releasing their catchily scathing fifth album ‘Take The Fight To The Bastards’ (through powerhouse Meanjin indie Valve Records)! The epic early singles were a perfect pointer towards the album’s snarled discontent - self-described as combining “acerbic, socially conscious lyrics, heavy rhythms and catchy guitar riffs to create poignant, dance-inducing punk music”, while lyrically “no piece of Australian culture is left unturned, from anthemic protests against the Cost Of Living crisis to sci-fi-esque resurrection fantasties of extinct megafauna and odes to old country pubs being ruined by tourists or pubs just being ruined by corporations” - so if you’re feeling a victim of the modern malaise and want to hear our current society eviscerated through a distinctly Aussie lens then hitch a ride with Last Quokka, you’ll never die wondering!
#catchotheday #lastquokka #takethefighttothebastards #valverecords #albumfive #perthpostpunk #ozrocklegends #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Given the title and the sticke

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Given the title and the sticker font I was briefly excited that the new eighth album by US superstar @ladygaga was a tribute to Norwegian black metal band Mayhem (who did a signing at Skinnys once, SO many stories), but unfortunately it’s more a treatise on the current state of the world (which also makes sense) dealing with central themes of love, chaos, and reconciliation. It’s being spruiked by critics as a return to form for the pop legend after some recent forays into soundtracks and jazz - The Independent (UK)’s 5-star review reckons, “Gaga’s return to outsider-empowering form could not be more timely. At a moment when America’s leaders seek to shove its marginalised citizens back into the shadows, she invites them back into the centre of the floor, celebrating their defiant differences in the bright strobe lighting. Maga? Oh nah-nah!” - and we have copies on limited edition, indie exclusive 2-LP opaque blue vinyl, so there’s never been a better time to welcome some ‘Mayhem’ into your life!
#catchotheday #ladygaga #mayhem #interscoperecords #albumeight #uspopdiva #limitededition #indieexclusive #2lp #opaquebluevinyl #sonicsherpa

SELFISH SONS AWAY! A great midweek crowd has turne

SELFISH SONS AWAY!
A great midweek crowd has turned up to catch prodigal Brissie trio @selfishsons in acoustic mode, there’s a great vibe and the guys are sounding rad! Too much fun!
#instore #selfishsons #acousticset #killingit #toomuchfun #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Last time Oz rock icons @thecr

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Last time Oz rock icons @thecruelseaofficial put out an album (2001’s ‘Where There’s Smoke’) I’d only just started working at Skinnys and writing for Time Off and would have been excited about that year’s Livid Festival, so there’s a fair bit of water (and booze) flowed under that particular bridge. Anyhoo almost 24 years later they’re back with new seventh album ‘Straight Into The Sun’ (out through @umusicau) and it doesn’t deviate far from what made them so beloved back in the day - The Rockpit’s review reckons it, “captures the essence of what everyone loved about them in the first place, under the influence of ’60s surf music and atmospheric Western film soundtracks but always open to exploring different musical directions” - so fall back under the laidback Aussie spell of Tex and the gang, never forget that Oz rock is the best rock!
#catchotheday #thecruelsea #straightintothesun #umusicau #albumseven #ozrockicons #backfrombeyond #sonicsherpa

SELFISH SONS INSTORE TODAY! The distance between t

SELFISH SONS INSTORE TODAY!
The distance between the bright lights of LA and the badlands of Stones Corner is negligible for local trio @selfishsons, who from 6pm tonight will be celebrating their new live record ‘Live At Kindred Studios’ (out through @impressedrecordings) with an acoustic set and signing in Sonic Sherpa! It’s free and all ages and bound to be a ton of fun, see you in the 4120!
NB the SS Brisbane gig proper was postponed last weekend and is now taking place at @thetriffid on Thurs 27 Mar (18+ and A/A)
#instore #selfishsons #tonight #wednesday12march #6pm #brisbanealtrock #newlivealbum #liveatkindredstudios #impressedrecordings #limitededition #colouredvinyl #free #allages #funfunfun #sonicherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! I’ve been working for the lo

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
I’ve been working for the longest time to help launch the stunning new @tapeoff album ‘Fort Sensible’ into the world, and (despite the stupid cyclone doing its worst) it finally dropped last Friday (courtesy one of the shop-based labels @coolinbysoundrecords). It’s by one of my fave-ever Bris-bands and named after a Simpson’s reference so I was always gonna love it but the fact that both 4ZZZ and Hobart’s rad Edge Radio have both made it AOTW fills me with courage - as does respected US site Glide Magazine calling the title track “a rugged, distorted anthem with chant-worthy melodies that explode out of the speaker, giving the song an enticing post-punk edge” - so give ‘Fort Sensible’ a shot at the title (on CD or limited edition blue vinyl) as you ready yourself for their national tour and Sonic Sherpa instore in May, as proper preparation prevents piss poor performance!
#catchotheday #tapeoff #fortsensible #coolinbysound #albumthree #brisbanealtrock #sogood #limitededition #bluevinyl #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Back in the non-rainy times of

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Back in the non-rainy times of 1996 Cardiff indie rockers @superfurryanimals landed fully-formed in our laps with their intoxicating debut album ‘Fuzzy Logic’, a wild and woolly, Welsh-infused journey through the glam and psych realms which set the foundation for their wonderful career to follow. It was remastered from the original tapes and repressed onto heavyweight vinyl for its 20th anniversary and it still retains all that innocent charm - AllMusic’s 4 1/2 star review reckons, “Fusing together pop melodies, psychedelia, and art rock with an impish, punky fury, the band cover more ground on their debut album, ‘Fuzzy Logic’, than most indie bands do in their entire career“ - so revisit the delightfully off-kilter world of SFA, even better than the real thing!
#catchotheday #superfurryanimals #fuzzylogic #welshindierock #debutalbum #90sclassic #vinylreissue #sonicsherpa

OPEN FOR BUSINESS! The ol’ 4120 has sure taken a

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The ol’ 4120 has sure taken a hammering over last few days but we’re still dry and nothing if not resilient, speaking of liquidity come on down and buy some records so we can stay solvent! What a time to be alive!
#openforbusiness #mondaytrading #4120forlife #ourstonescorner #thinklocal #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Man I miss Naarm indie rock ou

BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY… Well we sure saw off that tro

BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY…
Well we sure saw off that tropical cyclone, not so sure about this tropical low though. We are open for business amidst the maelstrom, if you’ve perchance saved some money this weekend by not going out consider supporting a small business near you, many of us are bleeding after missing almost a full weekend’s trade…
#beatifuloneday #tropicalhorrorthenext #therain #staysafe #supportyourlocal #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Beloved New Jersey singer-song

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Beloved New Jersey singer-songwriter @sharonvanhalen has forged an amazing career writing heartfelt songs on her lonesome, but for her new seventh album ‘Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory’ (out via the great @jagjaguwar) she embraced the spirit of collaboration and wrote with her trusty band. It still sounds defiantly like SVE but with an expanded musical perspective - The Independent (UK)’s 5-star review reckons, “Sensitively produced by Marta Salogni, the result is both seductive and hypnotic – it’s as though Van Etten has taken a creative stage dive and found herself held aloft by supportive bandmates, who prove more than capable of taking the weight of her ideas while offering lovely, post-punk inflected directional drifts of their own” - and we have the ‘Awareness Edition’ on limited edition amber galaxy vinyl, so put The Attachment Theory into practice!
#catchotheday #sharonvanetten #andtheattachmenttheory #jagjaguwar #albumseven #newjerseysingersongwriter #awarenessedition #limitededition #ambergalaxyvinyl #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Today is release day for ‘Fo

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Today is release day for ‘Foxes In The Snow’, the first ever solo acoustic album by Americana icon (and former Drive-By Trucker) @jasonisbell! Recorded at NYC’s iconic Electric Lady Studios and released via @southeasternrecords, the collection finds Isbell reconciling with his recent divorce without miring in self-pity or -loathing and the results are exquisite - Mojo’s 5-star review reckons, “‘Foxes In The Snow’, a shoo-in for Isbell’s seventh Grammy, has already set the bar for best Americana album of the year” - and we have copies on limited edition indie exclusive gold vinyl, so do yourself the proverbial favour!
#catchotheday #jasonisbell #foxesinthesnow #southeasternrecords #soloacoustic #limitededition #indieexclusive #goldvinyl #sonicsherpa

CLOSED TODAY We faced down the natural disaster ye

CLOSED TODAY
We faced down the natural disaster yesterday and stayed open, but today we’ve decided that discretion is the better part of valour and are going to stay home and listen to records instead, I mean prepare for the cyclone. Stay safe everybody we’ll let you know about tomorrow’s status in the not-too-distant future.
#closed #friday #cyclonealfred #whatmeworry #staysafe #sonicsherpa

WE IS OPEN! Had a few people reaching out to see i

WE IS OPEN!
Had a few people reaching out to see if we’re open and the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’! Like Brave Sir Robin we’ll keep fighting the good fight until danger rears its ugly head, at which stage we’re outta here. We is open now though!
#cyclonealfred #openaf #brisbanerecordstore #staysafe #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Oh man I’m so glad that fina

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Oh man I’m so glad that finally got to see Kiwi indie rock legends @thechillsnz in the flesh at Brisbane Powerhouse a smidge over two years ago, with founding frontman and chief sonic architect Martin Phillips sadly passing away last year. They were incredible, and there’s not much more to say. Martin’s final passion project the 2-LP ‘Spring Board: The Early Unrecorded Songs’ found him revisiting early Chills songs that were never put down on tape through the lens of his older self and the results are jaw-droppingly great - Bandcamp Daily’s Album Of The Day review reckons that “Phillips’ farewell to the faithful is a tour de force that never lets up in its melodic invention, crackling indie-pop energy, and lyrical smarts” - and it features guest spots from NZ luminaries including Neil Finn and Shona Laing, so take a trip to the other side of the ditch you’ll never look back!
#catchotheday #thechills #springboard #theearlyunrecordedsongs #firerecords #kiwiindierocklegends #2lp #ripmartin #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! We’re delighted to be stocki

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
We’re delighted to be stocking copies of the new limited edition 2-LP demos collection ‘Demolition’ by one of our fave ever Bris-bands @therealscreamfeeder, the 21 songs recorded between 1992 and 2022 offering a fascinating behind the scenes glimpse into the creative process of this amazing outfit! I grabbed a copy and it’s an epic listen hearing these nascent versions of songs you’ve come to know and love - often in new shinier incarnations - and to sweeten the deal the beautiful gatefold package comes with a signed, hand-numbered Obi strip and download access to the full archive of 100+ demos! You can’t fight the ‘Feeder!
#catchotheday #screamfeeder #demolition #modernmorning #demoscollection #limitededition #2lp #brisbanerockroyalty #sonicsherpa

PRE-APOCALYPSE VIBES I never thought I’d be worr

PRE-APOCALYPSE VIBES
I never thought I’d be worried about something named Alfred, but there’s a definitely weird, on-edge vibe around the hood as we face down our first tropical cyclone in decades. The early winds are already stirring up the palms behind the shop, hope they all get through unscathed. On the bright side you have all of today available to soundtrack your own personal natural disaster! Music for all moods!
NB on a slightly serious note we’ll communicate any changes to trading hours (depending on the severity of the weather), stay safe everyone
#preapocalypsevibes #tropicalcyclonealfred #doyourworst #besafeeveryone #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Almost solely due to falling i

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Almost solely due to falling in love with earworm single ‘What I Got’ from the radio I spent a huge chunk of the summer of ‘96/‘97 flogging the self-titled third album from Long Beach ska-punks @sublime, even then grappling with the tragedy of how charismatic frontman Brad Nowell had died from an overdose months before his band’s breakthrough collection even hit the shelves. The band is still revered in California and other surf-centric parts of the States and ‘Sublime’ the album has aged wonderfully - AllMusic’s 4 1/2 star review reckons that there’s “surprising grace in its unabashedly traditionalist fusion of Californian hardcore punk, light hip-hop, and reggae. Switching between bracing hardcore and slow, sexy reggae numbers, Sublime display supple, muscular versatility and, on occasion, a gift for ingratiatingly catchy hooks” - so go back in time to when Brad and Lou Dog were still amongst the living and revel in the laidback party vibes of ‘Sublime’!
#catchotheday #sublime #selftitled #mca #albumthree #longbeachskapunk #loudog #90sclassic #whaiigot #ripbrad #sonicsherpa

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