In an age of streaming and downloading, the best way to get a genuine experience when purchasing music is by going to an independent record store. It’s a place where you can find that gem of an album you’ve been looking for, or where you can buy a t-shirt or a collector’s item. There are a bunch of these places still operating around Rhode Island, including Doomed Records. Initially located on Broad Street in Edgewood, the business made a move down Warwick last fall. They are now located on 101 W. Natick Road, downstairs from the tattoo and piercing shop Cream BodyMods, directly across from the Warwick Mall.

I spoke with owner and operator Eric Browning about how the move happened, rounding out his inventory and what makes Doomed Records stand out from other stores.

Rob Duguay: How did this transition of moving Doomed Records from Cranston to Warwick come about?

Eric Browning: It was through somewhat unfortunate circumstances. I had a sublease from a smoothie shop in [Pawtuxet] village and received three and a half days’ notice that the place was going out of business. I had to figure out a plan quickly. This was one of the three spots that I looked at and for the location and space, it seemed to be the best.

RD: Makes sense. Both Pawtuxet Village and the area around the Warwick Mall are high traffic areas. Have you noticed a major difference?

EB: I did around the holidays, but honestly, outside of that it’s been a little bit hit or miss. A lot of my regulars, or semi-regulars, just seem to follow me, and I have gotten a new client base, but it’s been hit or miss.

RD: Doomed Records has a massive metal collection along with a vast amount of used jazz, but it’s been mentioned that the indie, pop and hip-hop selection has been growing.  Is growing that side of your inventory for the business [a goal]?

EB: I think I probably have to do a better job of getting the word out, but I generally grow each of the genres based on what people are looking for as they trickle in. It’s a combination of both, I guess. I’m just trying to make sure I have records of all genres that people want while retaining a heavy side because that’s what I’m after myself. I’m also trying to make sure that people know that I’m here.

RD: With these records that you’re selling, do you go on various websites to find collections from other people? When it comes to getting your inventory, how do you go about it?

EB: New records are largely ordered from various distributors. There’s a couple of major ones in the industry and I avoid the biggest one because they sell so much direct-to-consumer, so I work primarily with the second largest one. There are a couple of other smaller ones that each have their own specialties, and I also deal with a couple overseas distributors to make sure that I get a nice variety. For used records, I initially thought it would be a problem to keep that side going, but they just find me. I get calls multiple times a week about people selling their records, so I don’t really have to go source for used records too, too much.

The new ones do take more time, but it’s honestly something that I’ve already been doing in my personal life anyways. I’m always scouring for records for myself.

RD: For music fans who haven’t checked out Doomed Records yet, what can they expect that makes it stand out from other record stores? What in your opinion sets Doomed Records apart?

EB: I’ve got a listening station. I have a friendly staff, which is just me and one other person who helps me out on Saturdays. I have a wide variety and I tend to try to dig a little bit below the surface. All of the genres have their mainstream and unknown artists, so I like to try to find artists who haven’t broken through yet or aren’t quite as big. I like to give exposure to bands, artists and labels that people haven’t been exposed to.