01Profile
A Ashli Todd Photo
Ashli Todd
Record store owner — Cardiff
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Ashli Todd, Caerdydd.
What do you do?
All round gaffer at Spillers Records, Est. 1894.
Describe your style in three words:
Functional. No Fuss.
What was the first song you played on repeat?
MC Hammer, Let's Make it Smooth.
How long have you been working here?
I just survived my twentieth Christmas here, but my seventh as the custodian.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The people. Over the counter, behind the counter and within the industry: 99.999999% amazing people.
What releases are you most excited about for RSD?
Creation Rebel - Starship Africa reissue, from On-U Sound which is "the greatest sci-fi dub soundtrack never put to film".
Jason Isbell - Live From Welcome to 1979, which is all live cover versions.
And all three Colleen album reissues that the Leaf label are putting out, every one of them is an essential example of singular creative finesse.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What music defines the teenage you?
Anything I could spend the entire length of the gig pogoing too, mainly Ash, Placebo, Pulp, Asian Dub Foundation ... I was 13 in 1996 and that was the year (live) music took over my life. If I didn't need to wring my clothes out from beer / sweat / dread to think what else after a gig then it wasn't a gig.
A song from your favourite album?
Sparklehorse - 'Happy Man'.
A song you wish you had written?
Kelis - 'Friday Fish Fry'.
A British icon that has inspired you?
Jeremy Deller.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
Poison Girls - Statement (4CD set), from Discogs as it was deleted. My nearest and dearest had been saying he needed more of their music.
Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
What comes to mind is (Tricky's version of) 'Black Steel' ... which I guess is more dark than inspiring, but times are dark so it's nice to hear someone talk about that reality.
Best song to bring people together?
From a purely shop / team-lagging / need a jolt of motivation point of view, we reach for 2013 by Adrian Meilyr Jones.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
The most recent Neil Young gig where he delved into some tracks from 'On The Beach', followed closely by the other three Neil gigs I've seen. He's my oracle, but I also know he's not always right so we have a healthy relationship and I love him.
Best love song of all time?
Suicide 'Dream Baby Dream' has always moved me.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Ashli Todd, Caerdydd.
What do you do?
All round gaffer at Spillers Records, Est. 1894.
Describe your style in three words:
Functional. No Fuss.
What was the first song you played on repeat?
MC Hammer, Let's Make it Smooth.
How long have you been working here?
I just survived my twentieth Christmas here, but my seventh as the custodian.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The people. Over the counter, behind the counter and within the industry: 99.999999% amazing people.
What releases are you most excited about for RSD?
Creation Rebel - Starship Africa reissue, from On-U Sound which is "the greatest sci-fi dub soundtrack never put to film".
Jason Isbell - Live From Welcome to 1979, which is all live cover versions.
And all three Colleen album reissues that the Leaf label are putting out, every one of them is an essential example of singular creative finesse.
04Playlist Notes
What music defines the teenage you?
Anything I could spend the entire length of the gig pogoing too, mainly Ash, Placebo, Pulp, Asian Dub Foundation ... I was 13 in 1996 and that was the year (live) music took over my life. If I didn't need to wring my clothes out from beer / sweat / dread to think what else after a gig then it wasn't a gig.
A song from your favourite album?
Sparklehorse - 'Happy Man'.
A song you wish you had written?
Kelis - 'Friday Fish Fry'.
A British icon that has inspired you?
Jeremy Deller.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
Poison Girls - Statement (4CD set), from Discogs as it was deleted. My nearest and dearest had been saying he needed more of their music.
Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
What comes to mind is (Tricky's version of) 'Black Steel' ... which I guess is more dark than inspiring, but times are dark so it's nice to hear someone talk about that reality.
Best song to bring people together?
From a purely shop / team-lagging / need a jolt of motivation point of view, we reach for 2013 by Adrian Meilyr Jones.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
The most recent Neil Young gig where he delved into some tracks from 'On The Beach', followed closely by the other three Neil gigs I've seen. He's my oracle, but I also know he's not always right so we have a healthy relationship and I love him.
Best love song of all time?
Suicide 'Dream Baby Dream' has always moved me.