The “vinyl revolution”: The Hawthorn record store mixing coffee with electronic deep cuts

“I think what people love about vinyl is that they can hold something in their hand.”

Author

Matthew Sims
May 19, 2026

French expat DJ Max Le Bras thought his Hawthorn record store would be killed by the digital revolution.

Now, 19 years after taking over, he said Alley Tunes Records is seeing healthy interest as vinyl sales surge among young collectors.

The Eastern Melburnian spoke with the co-owner, who emigrated from France in 2003.

🎶 Deck dynamo: Tucked away in an alley off the Glenferrie train station, Alley Tunes Records opened in 1994 as a vinyl and CD store catering to DJs and collectors of electronic dance music.

  • Working as a DJ in France, Max Le Bras first visited the store in 2001 during a holiday.

  • He took over the business alongside his business partner Fabrice Lemoyne in 2007, with the pair quickly deciding to open a cafe to supplement their revenue as collectors and DJs alike were switching to digital.

  • 🗣️ “There was no way we could pay the rent with record sales,” Le Bras told the Eastern Melburnian.

The 50-year-old Blackburn record store started with jukebox leftovers

“I don't think vinyl will ever go away.”

📈 Constantly growing: Le Bras said the “vinyl resistance” first started to drive sales back up around 2010.

  • 🗣️ “I think what people love about vinyl is that they can hold something in their hand,” said Le Bras. “It’s like painting with a brush and canvas. It’s the original art form.”

This yum cha master has spent 62 years making handmade dim sum. Now, his son is fighting to keep the tradition alive.

High labour costs and a shortage of skilled chefs are driving many food businesses to move away from the usual methods.

🎛️ Spin society: Le Bras said the main shock to the system was Australia’s “bush doof” culture – underground electronic music festivals held in a remote area.

  • 🗣️ “There was a guy dressed up as a bunny, a girl dressed up as a clown and some guys in suits,” said Le Bras. “I thought it was fantastic and I fell in love with that scene.”

⏭️ What’s next? Le Bras said there was no end in sight for records in the near future, with interest now supported by young people getting into collecting and learning how to DJ.

  • 🗣️ “Kids and their parents are connecting with each other with something they both enjoy,” said Le Bras. “For the kids, it's something totally new.”