Butchart has owned Sound It Out Records since 1998, and in that time he has provided old and new vinyl, CD’s and music memorabilia to a large audience of music lovers. Sadly, after his passing in June, Tom Butchart’s wife Clare and the rest of the Sound It Out team have decided to close the shop, which was the last remaining record shop in the area of Teesside, Stockton-on-Tees.

On August 22nd, Clare Butchart released the following statement:

In addition to this, the Sound It Out staff issued a statement thanking the customers, saying that Sound It Out was “more than just a record shop”. They also took the time to thank Tom for the opportunity to work at Sound It Out and be “part of this music community legacy”.

Sound It Out Records stocked and sold music spanning from the 1950’s to present day, and featured a large variety of genres including Punk, Metal, Jazz, Techno, Hip Hop, Funk and much more. The store also provided a space for local DJ’s, as well as supporting local bands and artists by stocking music from all levels of release.

In 2010, Sound It Out Records was the subject of a documentary by Jeanie Finlay. The documentary focuses on how the market for independent music stores has been declining over recent years, and how Tom Butchart and his team strive to stay relevant and successful throughout this shift in how people get their music in today’s society. Finlay grew up only a few miles away from Sound It Out, and beautifully captures how the store is defying the odds and remaining successful through their stance and reputation in their local community.

You can watch the trailer for Jeanie Finlay’s documentary here.

Sound It Out Records have announced they will be using Vectis Auctions, a local auctioneering company, to sell the Sound It Out Records Collection in the coming months. Due to the large quantity of items to be sold, the collection will be sold over multiple auctions. You can find out more about the auctions of the Sound It Out Records Collection on the Vectis Auctions website, and Sound It Out’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Sound It Out Records has made a huge impact on the community of Teesside and has welcomed customers from far and wide, many of which left glowing reviews on their website. It is clear that Tom Butchart had a strong passion for music, as well as the people who entered his store, and through this, his legacy will remain.

We’re excited to announce the opening of our first-ever #ThirdManRecords store outside the USA. Situated on Marshall Street in the heart of London’s historic Soho, the London store will complete a trio of Third Man physical spaces. Info: https://t.co/c8XjCAimCJ#thirdmanlondon pic.twitter.com/4ES3EEj5ZT

— Third Man Records (@thirdmanrecords) August 10, 2021

The store has been personally designed by Jack White, who recently launched Jack White Arts & Design page showing off two decades of his creative work. “The store was conceptualised and created throughout 2020 and 2021 during the Covid pandemic, with the aim of creating a physical space to help keep record sales and live performances alive after such a tough period for everyone“.
The London branch will be a multi-functional space with a two-level retail room, a small music venue “The Blue Basement” and a European headquarter.
“It will feature a host of the kind of quirks, details and idiosyncrasies Third Man have become renowned around the world for“. These include a token-operated recording booth where anyone can record their own music on vinyl and a token-operated lucky dip book machine designed by US-based artist Craig Small. It’s called “Literarium” and it’s only a second of its kind in the world.
The big opening will see some of UK favourite artists: Paul Weller, David Ruffin, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Gina Birch of The Raincoats, Cornershop and Manchester’s group The Magic Roundabout that in celebration of the opening will record music for the Third Man. The exclusive releases will be available to purchase on vinyl on 25th September from The Third Man website, all three Third Man stores and all independent record shops. Special edition yellow vinyl will be available to buy in the London branch only.