Domino Records

Door to Domino Records. Photo by Bethany Rogers

“Domino Sound” is how some reggae lovers know Matt Knowles and Domino Sound Record Shack is the tangible mark of his evolution as a reggae DJ and vinyl collector and enthusiast. He has been sharing the rich listening experience of vinyl records with New Orleanians for 12 years, working at the Iron Rail, the lending library at the ARC, and performing and sharing music at the community living and performance space, Nowe Miasto. He has been looking for his own place to vend records and cassettes since before Hurricane Katrina and has long had his eye on the Afro-centric, cultural corridor along Bayou Road. “I don’t know any other street like it at all in New Orleans with the bricks, the angle, the Carribean feel,” Matt states, carefully expressing the “sweet” feel where his store is located.

The store itself has a simple charm with a parapet façade and side walls that taper dramatically from front to rear; the result is an intimate space for browsing through the built-in record bins. Domino Records opened in February of 2007 when Bayou Road still emanated the quieting effects of Katrina, but Matt’s commitment to sharing his music — literally by setting speakers out on Bayou Road and more figuratively by keeping his front door open and creating a welcoming ambience complete with a record listening station — helped reanimate this part of town. Matt was concerned his commitment to selling records might be “too frivolous” for New Orleanians in the wake of Katrina, but it turns out the city houses lots of old school and eclectic music lovers, many of them with serious record and tape collections to rebuild.

Interview with DJ Soul Sister

“The idea of opening a vinyl record store in the age of music digital downloads and poor record sales is unheard of. And it’s probably why it’s been so successful in New Orleans, a place that embraces the things that make it different from everywhere else. I’ve spent lots of time in this store, trying out records first, then buying, and I’ve seen people from all walks of life enjoy the curiosity of Domino Sound. It’s not just record collectors from overseas or crazed beat diggers looking for music. It’s people from the neighborhood, women and men, young and old, black and white. And then there are the times when I’ve seen the workers let young kids behind the counter to practice djing and listen to whatever. Now that is what is really special.”

Interview with Vera Warren-Williams, Owner of neighboring business, Community Book Center (another Cornerstone)

“We [Community Book Center, Beauty on the Bayou, Coco Hut, and Jordan’s Learning Academy] were called the “Belles of Bayou Road.” When Matt came, along with Ralph across the street, who was here before. He’s the sign guy, Signs by Ralph. We were then no longer just the belles, but the belles and beaus. So Matt became a beau of Bayou Road and that was a good addition to our community, maintaining the culture piece through good music and a sense of community. Because not only does Matt operate the business down the street, but he lives behind the bookstore.”