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: Verum Sun 13 Oct @ 2pm

SATURDAY IS FOR HATERS! Tomorrow rad Sunny Coast-s

SATURDAY IS FOR HATERS!
Tomorrow rad Sunny Coast-slash-Brissie punk trio @hatersloveyouxo release their debut album ‘Non-Violent’ as a vinyl exclusive via @fourfourmusic/@abcmusic - it won’t be available on streaming platforms until 2025 - and the very next day they’re hitting Sonic Sherpa for a free, all ages performance! If you dig bands such as Fontaines D.C., The Beths, IDLES, and The Clash then you’re going to love Haters’ blend of indie, punk, and garage rock, so come on down and get behind these rising stars of the local scene!
#instore #saturday23november #3pm #haters #debutalbum #nonviolent #seqpunk #free #allages #byo #thinklocal #supportthelocalscene #sonicsherpa

THUMP THE HUMP! It’s a rainy hump day but that o

THUMP THE HUMP!
It’s a rainy hump day but that only means that a joyous weekend is rapidly approaching, and we’ve just a swag of new vinyl titles to the crates to help soundtrack your well-earned leisure! Come have a dig!
#thumpthehump #newvinyl #bryanferry #phosphorescent #modestmouse #thedecemberists #amylandthesniffers #orvillepeck #lanadelrey #gurrumul #gwenstefani #shawnmendes #finneas #thematrixost #codyjohnson #supersuckers #velociraptor #comehaveadig #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Philly psych legends @bardo_po

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Philly psych legends @bardo_pond have been churning out mesmerising music for over 30 years now, and the new double LP compilation ‘Melt Away’ (out via indie icons @matadorrecords) catalogues late-’90s rarities and outtakes from a creative apex in their exemplary career! It really is a sprawling and beguiling collection to get your head around - awesome US magazine Magnet reckon, “Some might complain that ‘Melt Away’ comes with no liner notes and only the barest information about the sourcing of this material, but let’s face it, no one puts on Bardo Pond in order to read. The Philadelphia band’s slow-motion maelstrom of sound is designed to put a stop to such activity. Just turn the music up and lay your head down or, at least, confine it to up-and-down motion” - so if you want some serious time in your own head climb aboard with Bardo Pond!
#catchotheday #bardopond #meltaway #matadorrecords #phillypsych #2lp #outtakesandrarities #sogood #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! The recent fifth album ‘The

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
The recent fifth album ‘The Great Impersonator’ by lauded US singer-songwriter @iamhalsey is an inherently existential affair, the 2-LP opus written in the direct aftermath of the artist being diagnosed with a debilitating medical disorder which seemingly jeopardised her whole career. Fortunately powerful art sometimes stems from massive adversity and such seems to be the case with ‘The Great Impersonator’ - PopMatters’ 4 1/2 star review reckons, “There are no obvious radio hits, no sound bites that have taken TikTok by storm. But this is not an album designed to be a chart-topper; it’s a masterclass in the ways we use art to survive - which is to say, a masterclass in honesty” - so take an introspective journey with Halsey and harness the redemptive power of pop music!
#catchotheday #halsey #thegreatimpersonator #sonymusicau #uspoplegend #albumfive #thepowerofmusic #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! The first time I ever got to s

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
The first time I ever got to see US rock legends @supersuckers was on their inaugural Aussie tour in ‘94 behind their second album ‘La Mano Cornuda’ - playing at the much-missed Roxy sandwiched between Wisconsin noisemongers Killdozer and young Sydney up-and-comers Front End Loader - the amazing gig prompting a lifelong love affair which continues unabated to this day. Now their erstwhile Seattle label @subpop has reissued ‘La Mano Cornuda’ (unsurprisingly Spanish for “the horned hand”) for its 30th anniversary and it still sounds amazing - AllMusic’s 4 1/2 star review calls it, “The Supersuckers’ most ambitious record to date as the intense guitar chord explosion first heard on [‘92 debut] ‘The Smoke of Hell’ is joined with a more aggressive lead guitar attack that almost verges on The Supersuckers’ closet dream of heavy metal machismo” - and not only do we have copies on limited edition Sub Pop Loser gold vinyl but they’re coming back in January and playing @crowbarbris with Nashville Pussy! Get ready to raise those middle fingers in the air people!
#catchotheday #supersuckers #lamanocornuda #subpoprecords #30thanniversaryreissue #limitededition #loseredition #goldvinyl #greatestrocknrollbandintheworld #sonicsherpa

PAGING DR. ROCK! Thanks heaps to Sean from awesome

PAGING DR. ROCK!
Thanks heaps to Sean from awesome local rock institution @swashbucklinghobo for bringing in copies of the recent third album ‘Neon Brown’ by killer local four-piece @eyes_ninety (who tore the shop a new one at an instore behind 2018’s ‘Glaucoma Chameleon’ opus a few years back) as well as the new limited edition 7” ‘Oz Tour Of 2024’ by US rocker @pat_todd_rankoutsider (formerly found out front of epic LA outfit Lazy Cowgirls)! Never forget that rock’n’roll is good for the soul!
#newreleases #swashbucklinghoborecords #eyesninety #neonbrown #pattoddandtherankoutsiders #oztourof2024 #brisbaneindielabels #thinklocal #thinkindie #thankssean #sonicsherpa

MO’ WEEKEND WAX! Just stuffed a heap more new vi

BLACK FRIDAY RSD APPROACHING! Anyone who watches S

BLACK FRIDAY RSD APPROACHING!
Anyone who watches South Park will know what a massive and frightening proposition Black Friday sales are in the States, fortunately we miss all the violence and mayhem and can just focus on the limited edition, indie exclusive treasures ushered into the world for Black Friday Record Store Day 2024! This year it all takes place on Friday 29 Nov and we have heaps of stuff coming in that you can only buy from brick and mortar indie record stores, so no matter where you may reside get behind your local indie this Black Friday!
#recordstoreday #blackfridayrsd24 #friday29november #limitededition #indieexclusive #thinklocal #supportyourlocalindie #whatwouldcartmando #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Back in ‘91 US R&B-slash-pop

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Back in ‘91 US R&B-slash-pop star @tinaturner (aka ‘The Queen Of Rock’n’Roll’) released her 18-song ‘greatest hits’ compilation ‘Simply The Best’, which unsurprisingly for one of the best-selling recording artists of all time was a massive success, selling millions of copies en route to become one of the highest-selling compilations in history. Even though it focused on her ‘80s comeback phase it’s a remarkably strong collection - even legendary (and legendarily snarky) US critic Robert Christgau offered upon its release, “With its hyperstylized soul and dominatrix shtick, Tina’s pop-queen phase is recommended to Madonna fans who fancy a more serious grade of schlock. Except on straight love songs, which are rare, her production values will titillate your sensorium even if you’re not in the mood” - and the new 2-LP reissue is on limited edition blue vinyl, so lock in a private dance with Tina in the comfort of your own home!
#catchotheday #tinaturner #simplythebest #warnermusicau #thequeenofrocknroll #2lp #limitededition #bluevinyl #legend #rip #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! While it’s hard to believe t

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
While it’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since we were last treated to a new @paulkelly album, his new collection of live songs ‘Fever Longing Still’ (out now through @emimusicau) is so fresh and expansive that time matters naught in this regard. PK and his crack band are in typically fine fettle - The Guardian’s 4-star review reckons it’s, “An old-school band doing old-school variety with old-school energy. It worked then; it works now. First principles doesn’t just apply to the music though, as Kelly builds these songs around the classic four Ds: desire, devotion, disappointment, death. You know, the way God, Elvis, Townes Van Zandt and Shakespeare intended” - so grab a copy of the great man’s 29th album, like a fine wine he just keeps on getting better with age!
#catchotheday #paulkelly #feverlongingstill #emiaustralia #album29 #ozrocklegend #finewine #checkit #sonicsherpa

KARIN KEAYS INSTORE! On Thurs 5 Dec from 6pm we’

KARIN KEAYS INSTORE!
On Thurs 5 Dec from 6pm we’re delighted to be hosting Karin Keays - the wife of the late, great Jim Keays from Oz rock legends @themastersapprentices - to discuss her new memoir ‘It’s Because I Love You’, the story of a real-life rock’n’roll romance from the unique perspective of a woman who’s lived and worked for 35 years in the inner sanctum of rock’n’roll royalty. As well as the book we’ll have copies of The Masters Apprentices DVD ‘Turn Up Your Video’ as well as the long-lost Jim Keays solo album ‘Caledonia’, which is only now being released for the first time a decade after his passing! It’s going to be a fascinating traipse down this memory lane of Australian rock, and as always it’s free and all ages so we’ll see you in the 4120!
#instore #thursday5december #6pm #karinkeays #memoir #itsbecauseiloveyou #jimkeays #themastersapprentices #ozrocklegend #posthumousalbum #caledonia #dvd #turnupyourvideo #free #allages #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Way back in ‘92 Boston alt-r

SUPERCHUNK GIVEAWAY! In just a few weeks now US in

SUPERCHUNK GIVEAWAY!
In just a few weeks now US indie rock legends Superchunk return to Australia for the first time in many moons, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their classic ‘94 album ‘Foolish’ with a gig at @thebrightsidebris on Sat 7 Dec with support from Oz indie legends Smudge and rising locals People Mover! Superchunk are not just indie rock pioneers but an incredible live act who never fail to deliver, and thanks to the Brightside team you can win a double pass to this amazing triple bill - just email us at the shop (sonicsherparecords@gmail.com) with the name of the super-cool indie label started by Mac and Laura in the ‘90s and first correct answer wins. This show is gonna rule, see you at the bar!
#ticketgiveaway #superchunk #foolish #30thanniversarytour #thebrightside #saturday7december #indierocklegends #smudge #peoplemover #epiclineup #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Without doubt Wollongong duo @

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Without doubt Wollongong duo @chimers_band are one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the fertile Aussie guitar underground in eons, and they’ve just released their exemplary second album ‘Through Today’ (via Naarm indie institution @poisoncity) which is the perfect distillation of their incendiary aesthetic! The duo’s uncompromising approach and sound is at times reminiscent of post-hardcore bands of yore like Wipers or Hot Snakes but through the lens of the recent Aussie scene, and if you grab a copy - which we have on limited edition indie exclusive lucky dip coloured vinyl - you can get it signed when they do an instore in a couple of weeks (Sun 24 Nov @ 2pm to be precise) whilst in town supporting The Saints ‘73-‘78! Never forget that Oz rock is the best rock!
#catchotheday #chimers #throughtoday #poisoncityrecords #albumtwo #wollongongpostpunk #limitededition #indieexclusive #luckydipcolouredvinyl #instore #sunday24november #2pm #free #allages #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Much-loved local songstress @t

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Much-loved local songstress @thelmaplum has finally backed up her acclaimed debut ‘Better In Blak’ (2019) with new album ‘I’m Sorry, Now You Say It’ (courtesy @warnermusicaustralia), exploring themes of nostalgia, Australiana and coming of age in her own inimitable voice! It debuted at #7 on the ARIA album chart and has been getting mad respect from the media - @triple_j made it AOTW and said, “With delicately sung stories and witty, sharp lyricism, these tracks are a nod to anyone navigating love, heartache, and forgiveness” - so grab a copy and get behind this rising star of Meanjin music!
#catchotheday #thelmaplum #imsorrynowsayitback #warnermusicau #albumtwo #meanjinmusic #gamilaraayart #thinklocal #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Just over 25 years ago Melbour

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Just over 25 years ago Melbourne alt-rockers @somethingforkate released their second album ‘Beautiful Sharks’ on Sony imprint Murmur, the first album to feature new bassist Stephanie Ashworth thus cementing the “classic line-up”. It spawned four strong singles and was SFK’s first Top 40 entry (rising to #10) as well as their first Platinum album - a couple of years ago Rolling Stone Australia ranked it #125 on their list of the 200 Greatest Australian Albums Of All Time, saying “While they’re a household name for most Aussie music fans these days, 'Beautiful Sharks' was the record that helped to make it a possibility, proving that grace and potency can coexist in harmony” - and the new 25th anniversary reissue (courtesy @sonymusicaustralia) features reimagined artwork and limited edition silver vinyl, plus we have bonus autographed album art cards to give away while stocks last!
#catchotheday #somethingforkate #beautifulsharks #murmur #albumtwo #melbournealtrock #25thanniversaryreissue #limitededition #silvervinyl #autographedartcard #90sclassic #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Awesome Arnhem Land-bred indie

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Awesome Arnhem Land-bred indie rockers @kingstingrayband have proved that that their amazing 2022 eponymous debut album was no fluke by following it with the equally rad ‘For The Dreams’ (out now through @cookingvinylaustralia)! The new collection is just as accessible and joyous and uplifting as its lauded predecessor - The Guardian’s 4-star review reckons, “This is music for better times, an unbridled celebration of life. Perhaps we all need a reminder” - and to make things even more palatable we have copies on limited edition red and limited edition yellow vinyl, so embrace the beauty of our wide brown land with King Stingray, a musical salve for these trying times!
#catchotheday #kingstingray #forthedreams #cookingvinylaustralia #civilians #albumtwo #yolnuindierock #sogood #limitededition #colouredvinyl #sonicsherpa

WEEKEND WAX! Put some cool new titles into the cra

CATCH O’ THE DAY! Back in the early-‘90s young

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
Back in the early-‘90s young Sydney alt-rockers Bluebottle Kiss signed to red hot Sony offshoot Murmur - then home to acts like Silverchair, Jebediah and Something For Kate - who for their second album ‘Fear Of Girls’ (1996) flew out legendary US producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Afghan Whigs) to record and mix the sessions. The album was unsurprisingly more experimental than their debut - an old BBK bio recalls “eyebrows lifted when the second album opened with a pure Fugazi scream and climaxed an hour later with an epic, Van Morrison-inspired, white-boy gospel song terminated by several minutes of feedback” - and now for its first 2-LP vinyl pressing (courtesy @loveasfictionrecords) it’s been remastered by Endino himself, so don’t be scared to grab a copy of ‘Fear Of Girls’!
#catchotheday #bluebottlekiss #fearofgirls #murmur #vinylreissue #loveasfictionrecords #2lp #limitededition #ozrockicons #sonicsherpa

LET’S GET PHYSICAL! The sprawling and ambitious

LET’S GET PHYSICAL!
The sprawling and ambitious second album ‘Computer Future’ by Brissie garage rock conglomerate @velociraptorband is officially released on physical media today (via shop-based label @coolinbysoundrecords), marking their first new release in over a decade! There are no rules in ‘Raptor land thank you very much they do whatever they damn well please and we should be thankful we have a new album at all - especially one that’s so freaking good and has amazing artwork by local legend @phoebe.paradise and comes on limited edition coloured vinyl - ask them about the delay in the flesh when they hit the 4120 for an instore in a few weeks! Never forget how much Brisbane music rules!
#velociraptor #computerfuture #newalbum #brisbanegaragerock #sogood #phoebeparadise #limitededition #orangevinyl #letsgetphysical #brisbanerules #thinklocal #sonicsherpa

CATCH O’ THE DAY! More than 45 years after regai

CATCH O’ THE DAY!
More than 45 years after regaining us about ‘Another Girl, Another Planet’ out front of his band The Only Ones, revered UK musician @peterperrett is still at the coalface making amazing music as evidenced by new third solo album ‘The Cleansing’ (out through @dominorecordco)! He’s still as wise and insightful as ever and his songs still pack a considerable punch - AllMusic’s 4 1/2 star review reckons, “In the end the album is strangely uplifting and yes, cleansing, as he washes out the sadness, pain, and suffering he’s been through and ends up on his feet, bruised but still ready to carry on. By the end of the record, listeners are liable to feel the same way. There are no barriers or guardrails here, it’s an unblinking gaze into the abyss, and victory over that bleakness, that can be shared by anyone brave enough to tag along” - and we have copies on limited edition red vinyl, don’t be the only one not onboard with PP and ‘The Cleansing’!
#catchotheday #peterperrett #thecleansing #dominorecordingco #soloalbumthree #theonlyones #ukrocklegend #limitededition #redvinyl #sonicsherpa

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