Meet Rónan, he has been a resident of Kamloops since 2007. Rónan owns a record store called Barnacle Records, stop by his office to jam to some great tunes and say hi!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
If you disqualify my partner and my two sons, I'd have to say my 4 siblings are all the best homies. Also, Lorelle and Steph are straight up some of my favourite people.
What is your favourite local store in Kamloops and why?
Downtown indie shops almost all rank high for me - shout out to Christina G at TAWA, Nikki & Chantelle at Motivo, & Main Street for the best threads.
Describe yourself in one word.
Thankful
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Back to Barcelona - gorgeous city & people.
What is your favourite activity in Kamloops?
Mixing a playlist at Barnacle and chatting up customers about whatever - that or a morning run along the river in April.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
One time in grade school I caught a fiery breakaway playing basketball and cleaned a sweet layup on my own basket. The memory still smacks a bit.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Learning that Jessie and I were expecting our first child - nothing since has kicked me into high-gear with quite so much gusto as that. Watching Phil Elverum debut 'A Crow Looked at Me' at The Business in Anacortes, WA was a pretty heavy and inspiring moment in my life too though - less hallmark, but still a significant impact.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Not sure, but it was probably swimming somewhere or kissing some girl or like a birthday party when I was 10.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Like many other independent promoters/events coordinators, I only occasionally end up even covering costs after paying artists if I am putting on shows so that really plays out like volunteerism. I certainly hope and like to think that the net effect is a benefit to the community - hard to say with certainty though. We annually donate a lot of vinyl we can't sell at Barnacle to non-profits, too.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
As Rakim says, 'It ain't no joke' - no one man should have all that power.
Where would you sneak away to in Kamloops to spend some time alone?
I feel like getting sneaky with it is a little unnecessary - I can catch a nap in the sun alone in my backyard and we've got a ton of kinda remote hiking if you just need that solo-stroll in your life.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kamloops and why?
I think our city could be much 'cooler' on the business and culture front - look at Red Beard, Leon John's, REpublic Gallery, & OoSI for examples of what I mean.
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
It's a city with a lot of potentials - I hear it all the time and I'm inclined to agree.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
A bucket list-style list isn't really in my kit of operational goals. I kind of have this silly mortalist outlook that I guess has me 'living in the moment,' cheesy as it sounds.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I own a record store called Barnacle Records!
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram, FaceBook or get at me on Vero like it's January 2018.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Barnacle Records
Why did you get into/start this business?
I was buying a lot of vinyl in other cities 2009-2012. Jessie and I decided it was about time for Kamloops to have a music store again so we just started selling off our collection of 100 LPs piecemeal and re-investing the profit into buying more LPs.
What is the goal of your business?
To make Jessie and I crazy rich - also, to encourage and support creative culture in this part of the PNW.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Coming to terms with my role and my responsibilities in the disordered history of the world and the strain and disparity it has created between people who look and feel distinct from one other. Fortunately, it seems like I'm not alone in that.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Good mouth-feel intellectual sounding words like 'textural' or 'fecundity.' The over-use of these kinds of words sort of comes in waves - some of my favourite people often give me a hard time about it.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
When you've truly left home, you can be found sitting quietly at home.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Probably Sean Johnston - a friend from years ago. I haven't seen that guy in years.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To build and maintain positive social interactions with others who are providing a more diverse and personalized experience of whatever they're selling or service be provided. Also, to make local shop owners very rich, please.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Taking Barnacle Records from an idea to a reality and finding sustainable momentum with the project's growth.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Liam McGrath because he still owe's me like 70 bucks.
My choice for the KamloopsBCNow In Focus spotlight is:
Frank Luca (Frank Luca Design,@franklu.ca)
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Anyone interested in participating in the creation of an independent digital broadcasting collective and/or sound-arts collective space HMU [email protected] or just swing by Barnacle Records @ 290 3rd Ave.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kamloops.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great!
