VF Live: Sound Advice with Marion Hawkes

Downtempo, electronica, dub, and jazz funk records direct from their Belfast HQ.

In VF Live, DJs take you inside their homes, record stores, and studios for intimate sets and mixes.

Belfast record store Sound Advice’s founder, Marion Hawkes, plays a set from their enviable new Belfast HQ – featuring electronica, downtempo, dub, and jazz funk records.

Speaking about Sound Advice, and her set, she shares:

“Belfast has progressed and is becoming a cultural hotspot, the talent coming out of Northern Ireland is incredible at the moment; and while the city has a few good record stores I noticed there was a gap in the market for something more electronic-led,” says Hawkes.

“I wanted to create a safe, inclusive space that everyone can enjoy, even those who are just starting to get into vinyl. I never want it to feel intimidating. Ultimately I just want to make a space people can feel comfortable in and find some good music.”

“This selection has been a mix of a few trusty old favourites and some recent new finds through sourcing stock for the shop. (That Wamono compilation is serious gold!) When I DJ out, it is mainly heavier, club-focused sounds. But I’ve felt a bit of a shift the past 18 months – a knock on effect from the pandemic – moving toward more immersive and layered sounds.

That’s also the direction I’m favouring with the in-stores and DJ sets happening in Sound Advice at the moment; we will have late night events in early 2022, which is also very exciting.”

Watch and listen to the set above; check out the tracklist below.

Tracklist:

1 .Workdub – Caravan – Music From Memory
2. Maya – Lait De Coco – Attic Discs
3. Tetsuo Sakurai – Kimono – 180G
4. Space Garage – Space Garage – Periodica
5. Daniel Monaco – Tu Sei Pazza – Bordello A Parigi
6. Qvark – Strano – Early Sounds
7. The Pilotwings – Just Be – Brothers From Different Mothers
8. Apiento – Things You Do For Love – World Building
9. Froid Dub – Frozen Beat Sandwich – Delodio
10. Albinos – Palazzo – Astral Soda
11. Bullion – You Drive Me To Plastic – Young Turks
12. Alex Figueria – Maracas – Music With Soul

Head here to check out Sound Advice.