Peaches Records Stays Rooted in New Orleans Music
December 21, 2009
Across the United States, many neighborhoods have experienced the disappearance of over 3,000 locally owned record stores in the last decade. Sticking to a formula created from its roots in Gentilly, Peaches Records has beaten the odds against corporate domination. A cultural center, Peaches provides that rare quality of authenticity because of a unique relationship it has always shared with the surrounding community and local artists.
Established in 1975, many remember Peaches as a venue for local artists to display their works and earn a living. In addition to being the provider of local and national music, the store served an important role in the emergence of an alternative style of music that was on the rise nationally and in the City of New Orleans. Hip/Hop started over a decade earlier and found its place locally beginning in the late 1980’s. When a number of these artists began forming local record labels, many would seek Ms. Shirani Rea’s help in getting a foothold in the music industry. One of the first Hip/Hop labels to do this was Cash Money Records.
Cash Money was a record label founded by young entrepreneurs and artists from the Uptown area. All coming from impoverished neighborhoods, Cash Money artists sold their merchandise straight from the Peaches store. Unable to get the kind of distribution deal afforded to record labels that produced more accepted forms of music, Peaches provided a way to circumvent the established rules of the music industry. “The going joke often times was that the store was really an office for Cash Money because they were always around here pushing their products,” said owner Ms. Rea.
Impressed with the motivation shown by the enterprising youths, Ms. Rea sought a deal that would provide an opportunity to better the lives of many in the New Orleans area. “When major record labels where shopping for an artist, I sent a fax of B.G.’s Chopper City to Universal’s office.” This move would garner the Cash Money record label a $30 million dollar distribution deal. Furthermore, as Cash Money Records put New Orleans musicians and their unique twist on the Hip/Hop genre on the map, many more labels and artists would go on to achieve international success.
Since reopening at 408 N. Peters St. in 2008, the expanded space has enabled Ms. Rea to diversify her services. In addition to the music she’s provided for generations, the store now contains rare cult and local films for those diehard movie enthusiasts. Books written by local authors and poets can be enjoyed over coffee and tea from the café located inside. On Sundays customers are treated to entertainment from a variety of artists like Robin and the Soul Heirs, a local band consisting of the lead singer and her two brothers and father. Beyond these new services however, Peaches major contribution continues to be its support for local artists and musicians throughout the city.
New issues, however, have surfaced that threaten a critical part of New Orleans’ culture. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, returning musicians throughout the city are finding it hard to maintain a decent standard of living. There are few venues that compensate musicians for their performances, relegating them to meager profits made from audience member tips. “If musicians make $300 a week they’re lucky… musicians are starving down here,” says Big Chief Doucette. Performing with various bands around the city, Big Chief Doucette displays his brand of music which incorporates the styles and rhythms of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians. “If it wasn’t for the music, we’d have no New Orleans… tourists wouldn’t be able to experience real New Orleans.” Trying to alleviate the economic strain placed on musicians, Ms. Rea allows local artists like Big Chief to perform on various occasions in addition to selling their CDs, with half of the profit going back to the artist.
Peaches has been a model of success for local businesses because it has thrived on a simple formula that is rooted primarily in the idea of re-investing in the community. Whereas large corporations and computer downloading may provide cheaper outlets for the costumer, local record stores like Peaches shares a relationship with the community: one that empowers them to look out for the local artist whose plight often goes unnoticed by mainstream America. The decline in locally owned, community focused businesses, poses a serious threat to the local culture. Musicians, members of families who have carried on the musical traditions of New Orleans for generations, struggle to make a living. In post Katrina New Orleans, there are an increased number of issues that threaten local musicians and their future in the city, but with the help of places like Peaches, their struggles will surely not go unnoticed.
Peaches Records
408 N Peters St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Tel 504.282.3322
Hours: Mon – Thursday 7AM – 9PM, Friday 7AM – 10PM, Saturday 8AM – 10PM, Sunday 9AM – 9PM.
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