Relative Coma
< author: david >
Dear Friends and Lovers,
Today we sincerely announce the indefinite slumber of your record store Relative Theory Records, 271 Granby St. - Norfolk, Virginia 23510. It is not sustainable for we must let it go. During this time we shall reside on the interweb while we assess this cultural climate and search for a new home. We will maintain our website and continue to send out our weekly new music email newsletter while continuing the sale of goods via our Relative Web Store. We hope this will suffice in our physical absence. We will be making improvements to our webstore in addition to making our community develop with a stronger local focus. We will also continue to bring the best in new music to perform live at the Boot as well as nurture the growing talent of our city. Our ideas are of a natural progression and we will continue to aid the unheard. Thank you to all those who gave their support the past four years.
June 30 - the COMA begins.
Thoughts and questions can be posted in the comments OR emailed to info@whatisrelative.com.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:57 am
This sucks…bad. But we look forward to Relative 2.0.
June 13th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Well, I can’t say I haven’t been afraid of this since I first walked into the store a few years ago. I want you all to know that I think it’s a damn shame that we live in a region that doesn’t understand or support the flourishing music scene that you all have nourished and grown in the area. I, personally, cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to purchase and discover new music at a local record store instead of having to give my cash to Best Buy or some other major chain. Either way, I hope all of you know how much some of your few open-minded, music spelunking neighbors have enjoyed the last four years and let me be the first to say cheers to Relative 2.0. If there’s ever anything you guys need at all to get things off the ground or if you need some free promotion or free anything to get back up, don’t hesitate to email me. I’d love to help a place I love to go. Until then, I’ll see you at The Boot.
June 13th, 2007 at 10:57 am
I wholeheartedly concur with Brad’s sentiments. Every time I come home from DC, I make a point of coming through your fantastic store. I hope that you find a way to get the store open again in a new location. It’s been a pleasure and a drain on my wallet these last few years, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
June 13th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Brad, me and you had a discussion online about this awhile ago. Terrible as it may be, when they come back, I think they could have a better location and a a better partnership with their neighbors and fellow businesses. This really saddened me when I first heard of it but the more I talk to Josh and think about what CAN be, I get a little glimmer of hope. The view at the current store was killer but that is the only thing that can’t be replaced.
Good things to come for sure…
JAson
June 13th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Jason, nice to hear from you again. Hopefully, things will be straight in the future. I just want to see it succeed. It’s something I personally believe in even though I don’t necessarily have any kind of vested interest in it.
Maybe something will open in Ghent next to the Boot and it could be a side-by-side venture. I always felt like it belonged in Ghent more than Granby despite the view. I just think about people going to the Naro and the Boot and I feel like the people that go there would be more likely to go to RT, whereas when I envision Granby, I think of date rapists going to Bar Norfolk and Time and trying to score. Broad generalization? Most likely. Plus, I can’t imagine how much rent was at that Granby venue. Good Lord. I’d have to sell kidneys/sperm/children to make the ends meet.
- BK
June 13th, 2007 at 11:42 am
This is sad news indeed but maybe it means you guys can get some rest. As long as I’ve known you there has obviously been 200% effort being put forth at all times. I can tell it is tiring.
Viva La Relative Theory.
June 13th, 2007 at 11:44 am
This is really sad news, but like everyone else, not too surprising. The region wasn’t supportive enough, unfortunately, and people will always just buy where it’s cheapest. Despite that, Relative had an atmosphere that those other places didn’t have, and its something that i’ll miss. if you guys wanted to have a big store closing show, we (ghost outfit) would love to be a part of it, especially since you’ve given us a lot of opportunities.
June 13th, 2007 at 11:51 am
sigh. rest in piece my lovely.
i shall always remember putting up the drywall for the snack area.
november 2003.
teardrop.
P2P + Torrents killed John Cusack
June 13th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
This sucks hard.
Hope you guys have better luck setting back up in the future. If you’re going to move out of downtown, come to Ghent. Skinnies is OK, but we need a wider selection of newer music.
Next time, why don’t you guys try to generate some extra cash by selling musical equipment? I know instruments can be a lot to handle, but guitar strings, tuners, metronomes, capos, pedals, microphones, simple recording equipment…you would be filling a serious void in this area.
June 13th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
see you at the boot!
hasta la victoria siempre!
June 13th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
My deepest condolences.
June 13th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Noooooooooo!!! This news hurts my heart. Love you RT kids!!!
xoxo,
Tracy
June 13th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
omg. i can’t believe relative is gone! i always loved going there every time i came home from the ‘burg for a visit. hopefully you guys will be up and running again soon.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
well this is bad news but…. we should remember the good things.
1. seeing and playing some good shows.
2. in my own town buying music that i saved for purchase on road trips.
3. hand jobs in the mens bathroom from josh
4. serious anal sex from dave in the office
5. a new space to see interesting art
6. an atmosphere that was open and at the same time intimate
spec ial thanks for the wilderness, grizzly bear. dead meadow , chinese stars, orthelem , soft circle , 1888 , big sleep shows….
extra special thanks for letting the bands i was involved with play…. snakes! CRASH SMASH EXPLODE and we cant forget the 45 minute braincrush eyeballs. the only show we ever played…. hahaha
thank you josh and dave it has been fun. cant wait for the new chapter to begin. see you at the boot when we get a babysitter love miked.
June 13th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
THANKS TO JOSH AND DAVE FOR GIVING THIS BROWN KID A CHANCE.
June 13th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
reminds me of when DFA79 and the unicorns broke up. so many things to be missed.
June 13th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
I have always completely respected your establishment and everyone that works there. It has meant a lot to me as I am sure it has meant a lot to many others. I feel like this is the end of an era and it saddens me and I will miss taking all sorts of random pictures all around the place and just reveling the true independent spirit and the community of it all. Please take care and I look forward to RTR in whatever reincarnation it might take on.
June 13th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
it was only a year ago that i first came to norfolk, va from philly for 2 weeks to work. and when i did some research this was one of the cool spots for me to come to during my free time.
i found two courtney love 7 inches ( the band, not the person) and saw a noise show as well. its beyond unfortunate that people dont support the local music scene as well as local businesses.
im afraid that we are reaching an age where smaller businesses are being forced to go under. while i hope this is untrue, it remains to be seen.
try your hardest to make a come back…norfolk needs a independent record store!!!!!
June 13th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Man, I would buy so many of those grape sodas your store has made me addicted to in order to keep this ship afloat. Thanks for absolutely everything.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I had some great times at Relative, playing with Ghost Outfit or seeing some kick ass shows, always an A+.
Who else cared? No one. No one but Relative Theory.
I hope this is the briefest coma in medical history.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
June 13th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
RT is my favorite record store of all time, so I hope that it gets back on its feet in a new location. It was a great hang-out for me during the one year that I spent in Norfolk and I still make a point to visit in whenever I come back in town. I was just there a month ago, so this is all very surreal.
June 13th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
i have family in norfolk and visit from pa every year and relative was always the highlight of my trip id spend hours just browsing and i dont think i ever left without spending at least 50 bucks. relative will be greatly missed and i cant wait to see what the future holds
xo
June 14th, 2007 at 3:21 am
relative theory is by far the best music shop i’ve ever gone to.
best of luck in finding a new location
June 14th, 2007 at 3:35 am
it is truly sad but also incredibly exciting for what is possible for the future now that quality planning and consideration can happen.
If we all really want to see this come back, we should start buying from the webstore which is already up in a very infantile structure, soon to be a less infantile structure.
I know it’s not the same, but if we invest things will grow.
Thanks to Relative for giving me a love for this community and community in general.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:21 am
oh yeah on the last night can we cut a hole on the floor. then dump pigs blood on all the people in TIME. just an idea to maybe chill out that damn bass thump.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:59 am
i feel like i’ve pretty much just been an asshole to you guys…thanks for all the free water and shows and bathroom availability…
June 14th, 2007 at 7:00 am
i feel like i’ve pretty much just been an asshole to you guys…thanks for all the free water and shows and bathroom availability
June 14th, 2007 at 7:21 am
This is one of my two favorite places in the area. I’m really sad to see it go. I was floored when I first heard.
We’ll always have the Red House Painters.
June 14th, 2007 at 7:43 am
I think this is all for the better. I think the Boot is really want I always wanted Relative to be.. a place to hang out and get drunk while listening to good music.
Good luck in your anndevours.. in devours… hors d oeuvres… endeavors
Someday I promise I will try the food.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:03 am
TOKYO is the most generic sounding band ever in this area. They might as well be on 94.9 and perform to fat housewives who think Dido is the best thing since Tori Amos.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:07 am
agreed
June 14th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
weak.
move down to Virginia Beach, so i can frequent the store on a daily basis.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Damn it! It’s tragedies like this that cause me to question the meaning of life, God and the universe.
My chief consolations are a) knowing that I put in enough money to pay not a few light bills (so to speak); and b) to hope and pray that the good people at RT/The Boot will soon find a new home for great music.
Thank you all for the great times!
June 15th, 2007 at 6:11 am
I agree with Krystle. Open a store in Newport News while you’re at it. I’ll singlehandedly keep you in business by buying used Rick Astley records.
- BK
June 15th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Keep on, keeping on:
Relative is closing and that’s a shame, but go buy some damn records. In fact, go there in large numbers so we can make the roof fall on Gusto’s because that place sucks monkey testicles more so than “Coldplay as performed by former Christian pop-punkers” aka Tokyo.
June 15th, 2007 at 6:56 am
It brings a tear to my eye every time a record store shuts it’s doors. Best of luck, and thanks for fighting the good fight.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Hey everyone! If you buy these on your next visit:
Justice - Escapades
Lavender Diamond - The Cavalry of Light E.P.
Go It Alone - Histories
Ergs - Upstairs/Downstairs
I will not only think you’re cool, but I’ll give you a super sketchy pat on the ass.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Maybe if Brad was handing out super sketchy pats on the asses more often this place would still be thriving. Thanks Brad (darling of all VB media outlets).
June 18th, 2007 at 6:38 am
I created a paddle with the RT logo on it for customers who are willing to take up that offer.
June 19th, 2007 at 9:51 am
well, yall did the damn thing.
emery, the 1st RTR customer
June 19th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
goshdarn!
now that RT is disappearing, i have no reason to ever come back to the 757.
i’ve been living in kansas city for a few months now, and i have yet to find a record store as amazing as RT.
which is quite possibly because there isn’t one and there never will be.
good luck finding a new place.
June 19th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Ahh Karen, but you do! Relative 2.0 and The Boot!! And apparently “super sketchy pat on the ass” from Brad!
June 19th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I feel like a family member just died. This is lame.
June 20th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Say it aint so!
I hate our area, how on earth can RTR close yet Birdland music can stay open for years and years.
I thought this might happen, and have feared it for awhile now.
even my 60yr old dad went in to RTR and was impressed.
this is a sad sad day for me.
June 20th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Relative has been very supportive of my band and art projects and I will be very sad to see them go. I wish them luck in finding the next version of RT. I can’t thank them enough for all the awesome times I spent there.
June 20th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
RT was pretty much the best record store this area has ever had. I had a great time shopping/hanging out there, as well as playing, and going to shows. It was a great place to play…….except for the load in/out….that alway sucked. Oh well, it was good while it lasted. Long live the Boot then.
June 20th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
i guess just hoping that other people spent enough money w/ you guys didn’t actually manifest as the magical spell i intended. you really have had the ultimate record store; beautiful. and you guys - what you are trying to do and the way your ideas about business and your community grow and don’t waver… just the way it should be and the way things are in some less transient, more thoughtful cities. you guys are wonderfully thoughtful and I am sorry to live far enough away to find too many lazy reasons not to have visited more often. I am sorry for us all now. but hopefully our lack of RT will be a memory soon and we can just get back to it.
i will be seeing you at your highly pleasing (for so many reasons) restaraunt/venue for some more tasty vegetarian dishes (it was nice to see more veggies) and the shows. you guys really are awesome.
and i’ll be cyber seeing you for music, but hurry back RT if it really can be so. ground level; no f***ed parking situation, which was a bit of a pee stain on the carpet; it will work.
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:40 am
Relative Theory Enters Relative Coma
http://liepaper.com/blog/?p=139
June 24th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Relative Theory, you will be missed. It’s sad to see another local record store go down, and of all places, this one. I don’t know what I’ll do without this store. I guess I’ll be forced to go to Volume or Skinny’s, none of which come close to Relative, but it’ll have to do. If the problem is financial, the community should step in.
June 24th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I’ve found so much good music at relative, its definitely my favorite place in Norfolk. i hate to hear this news, music lovers in Norfolk should be ashamed of themselves for not supporting such a great store, ive heard bands that have played there say “wow this is a great store”, or “they’ve got a good thing going here.” Norfolk just lost a lot of its luster. cant wait until the new store is open, unfortunately however sometimes people dont wake up from comas.
June 25th, 2007 at 9:19 am
What about the SONR? Is this going into a coma as well?