Shannon Logan, Owner, Jet Black Cat Music
Put on some kind of funk or soul record and make pancakes with my kids ...
When she realised a full-time gig selling vinyl would be a dream come true, Shannon Logan knocked on every record store door for a job, but none materialised. So she would set up a new vinyl stand at the West End Markets every Saturday morning, and pack up feeling elated, like she could chat music every day. Two years ago, Shannon opened Jet Black Cat Music in West End, translating the encyclopaedic wealth of knowledge and her personal tastes from the musical menagerie in her mind into physical shop form. She says even if no one walks through the door or buys a record on any given day, she’s still happy because she’s surrounded by all the music she loves. This year will see more in-store gigs eventuate as well as album-listening parties, so locals can get a feel for the music on the shelves. The Weekend Edition took five with Shannon to chat weekend essentials.
How do you like to start your weekend?
I always get up early and head to the beach for a swim or out to breakfast somewhere.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Put on some kind of funk or soul record and make pancakes with my kids.
How do you like to unwind?
Going for a wander always clears the mind.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Music, friends, food, sun.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
There are so many great cafes and eating spots popping up around Brisbane and I like to try new places regularly to see what is out there. So checking out new cafes is always something I’d like to get around to doing more.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Have a barbecue outside somewhere with family and friends.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Seeing Woods and Hermitude at The Zoo and celebrating my son’s third birthday.
What are you reading at the moment?
I supplement reading with listening. So I’m listening to loads of Mac DeMarco.
What inspires you?
People inspire me all day every day. You never know what you’re going to get when you jump in to a conversation with another person, and in my experience the more you chat, the more you get inspired by others and what they have done and are doing in their lives.
What was your childhood dream?
I used to be a tennis player. So growing up I wanted to be a professional tennis player who travelled the world competing, while also surfing along the way and being the person who put together the music for films and TV.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Proving to myself that there isn’t just one thing you’re meant to do in life, and that sometimes life takes you in the opposite direction to that which you want to go. Creating something meaningful out of nothing but an idea, and a whole lot of passion.
What is success to you?
Doing whatever makes you happy equals success for me. You simply can’t put a dollar value on happiness and therefore if you feel it, that is success in its purest form.
What are your words of wisdom?
Do whatever makes you happy in life, because if you do, then everything else that comes along is a bonus and you’ve actively had something to do with that.
Only a local would know … Vulture Street has two record shops, two vintage shops, the best coffee place (West End Coffee House), an amazing bar (The End) and loads of other amazing things happening along it.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Moffat Beach, early in the morning
Relax … Balmoral Cinema – I love going to the movies
Dine … Posto, West End – try the haloumi special
Indulge … The Chelsea, The Barracks
Shop … Op shops
Catch-up … West End Markets
Be inspired … At home with my favourite people, listening to music and cooking and eating food together
