In this week’s feature, we’re delighted to introduce you to Umbrella Vinyl, a vibrant new addition to Edinburgh’s music scene. Since opening in August 2023, this vinyl-only record shop has quickly become a must-visit for music lovers in search of second-hand gems and a welcoming space to share their passion for records. Co-owned by Laura Thomson and her two partners, the shop reflects their diverse musical tastes and carries a personal touch, with its name and logo nodding to their Hong Kong roots. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Umbrella Vinyl offers a fresh and mindful approach to vinyl collecting.

When Laura Thomson isn’t busy curating the collection at Umbrella Vinyl, she’s spinning tunes and sharing her passion for music on Vinyl Voyages Radio alongside co-host and husband Josh. The duo’s show takes listeners on a journey through eclectic vinyl selections, mixing rare finds with timeless classics and hidden gems from all genres.

Outside of vinyl, Laura loves to travel and learning about different cultures and music "... and when visiting foreign countries I enjoy activities that are a bit off the beaten track. It's so exciting when you arrive at a new destination and you're hit with new smells, sounds and sights! My husband and I were lucky enough to have lived in Hong Kong for 8 years. It was an amazing experience and we lived on a small island where there were no proper vehicles which was incredible! We visited Japan regularly and I really miss Hong Kong and Japan." Acting has also been a passion of Laura's but was put on the back burner while she was working outside of the music industry. For the last couple of years she has been involved in amateur drama again and is loving being back on the stage.

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

My husband and I started our vinyl only radio show 'Vinyl Voyages' in 2016 in Hong Kong and although I owned a fair few records when I was young, it wasn't until we had a radio when I started seriously buying records with a view to playing them on our show. We have visited a fair few record shops around the globe and we've had some amazing (and not so amazing) experiences! It made me want to create the perfect record shop!

I know that I wanted it to be somewhere welcoming, accessible, clean and not intimidating. For a second hand record shop I think it's essential to have a listening station for customers to use. From my own experience I also think it's important to have somewhere comfortable for the patient friend, partner or spouse to sit while the record collector is still digging in the crates!

What is a day in the life like?

Ideally I've been for a brief swim or a run in the morning before heading into the shop on foot. On Wednesdays we're in a bit earlier to have our weekly catch up to discuss upcoming events, sourcing of records, weekly sales, interesting recent customers, marketing and anything else we need to work on.

Days in the shop seem to whizz by - there's plenty to do logging, cleaning and grading second hand records as well as dealing with customers and online queries. At lunchtime I try and get out for a walk in the fresh air!

Favorite sale / relationship made from behind the counter?

I particularly love welcoming female and non binary customers to our shop. Recently we've had some regular young female DJs buying records (particularly 7" singles) to play out at clubs and festivals. It's great to hear when the tunes have gone down a storm!

In your opinion what has been the coolest thing to come through your shop / thing you had to keep / almost couldn't put out for sale:

I am a huge Françoise Hardy fan and was terribly sad when she died last year. We managed to buy a collection of her records and I was delighted to share her music with our customers. We only have 1 record left! I'm proud and sad!

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

Probably adapting to a new work environment as my own boss! I have worked in compliance in the financial services industry for over 20 years so am used to either working for someone or leading a team in a large organisation. It's a new world for me where 3 of us are working together as co-owners!

What has been the craziest experience that has happened at the shop?

A car burst into flames outside our shop only a few weeks after we'd gotten the keys... Luckily no one was injured and the fire engine came very swiftly but it resulted in a new shop window being required before we'd even opened our doors!

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you're doing?  

Even if you are doing something you love as 'only' a hobby or part-time, keep at it! You never know where it will lead.

For me starting our radio show was totally key. My husband and I had talked about it for a long time so following our passion and starting to broadcast was really the start of the journey to a record shop. Even if you are doing something you love as 'only' a hobby or part-time, keep at it! You never know where it will lead.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you're excited or worried about?  i.e. innovation, or trends you're seeing.

Our customers are a range of ages and I love that younger generations are getting into vinyl. I grew up with records but our younger customers are discovering them for the first time and I think that's really exciting!

Are you a vinyl collector yourself?  What drew you to it?

Yes indeed I am! As I mentioned my husband and I have a vinyl only radio show called Vinyl Voyages which started life in Hong Kong and is now broadcast live on local Edinburgh radio station EH-FM. A record is a very special thing. When picking out a second hand record it's wonderful to think of the lives it has already lived and the number of people who have listened to it. We bought some records from the BBC Gramophone Library recently and isn't it amazing to think that these records have been played on BBC national radio back in the 1970's?

Who has been influential to you and your growth as a professional in this industry?

I'm impressed by female entrepreneurs and business owners in all industries and have learnt a lot from people I've previously worked with or are friends with.

Anything else you want to share? If not, tell us what you're listening to right now?

Currently female artists such as Françoise Hardy, Esther Phillips, Joyce. I also love late 70's disco like Cerrone.