By: Dana Mitchell, Communications & Outreach Intern
When you walk into Compact Music, you’ll likely be greeted by Ian Boyd, the self-proclaimed “old man in the record store.” He owns the store along with his brother, James, who makes less frequent “cameos” behind the counter. Together, they form a dynamic and passionate duo who have been selling records in Ottawa for over four decades.
The Boyd brothers’ journey into the world of music retail began right out of school. With youthful ambition and a deep-rooted love for music, they used a government grant to fund what would become their first venture: an outdoor record store. Their initial inventory was drawn from their personal collection, which consisted of over 800 records. As demand grew, so did their collection, and Ian would often hitchhike to Toronto to bring back boxes of inventory.
“I remember my first day I sold seven records, and I thought, I’m going to be rich,” says Ian. “Of course, I’m not, but I’ve loved going to work every day and that counts for a lot.”
Compact Music came into existence in 1991 with their first location at Westgate Mall. The Glebe location opened in 1996, the day before the Great Glebe Garage Sale, which Ian and James describe as one of the business’s best days.
“I was stunned by how busy it was,” recalls Ian. “From that first day, I knew the Glebe would be a great place to be a retailer.”
Ian and James’s love for music began at an early age. The brothers remember staying up late in 1964 to watch the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, a pivotal moment that left a lasting mark on their lives. James, who was four at the time, witnessed the whole performance, while six-year-old Ian dozed off, waking only to catch a brief glimpse of the music legends exiting the stage.
Growing up, Ian describes himself as a musical child, one who eagerly participated in choir and band. James, on the other hand, was more inclined towards sports in his youth. Despite these differences, it was their shared love for music and buying records that ultimately brought them together, laying the foundation for what would become a lifelong partnership in the music industry.
“We’ve had good luck with staff, but it’s mainly my brother and I that have worked six days a week for the past twenty-seven years,” says Ian. “When we were younger it was hard, but we’re having more fun now than we ever have.”
It was the Boyds’ mother who first introduced them to classical music and the poetic lyricism of artists like Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond. Their father, though occasionally frustrated by their loud music choices, also played a significant role in shaping their musical tastes. These childhood influences fostered an appreciation for musical discovery and community that the Boyd brothers carry into their business practices—making Compact Music a place where music lovers can explore, discover, and connect with music in a way that transcends the digital realm.
“We get people in from all over the world,” says James. “They’ll say: I’ve been to fifty record stores in forty different cities, and I’ve never seen this. And that’s the beauty of the business––you never know what you’re going to find.”
When asked about their lifelong passion for music, both agree on the power of a well-crafted song and its ability to bring people together. In essence, that’s also what the business aims to achieve. Every inch of Compact Music is covered in merchandise that encompasses a wide variety of genres and media types, creating an eclectic environment that caters to diverse audiences.
“To be a good and successful store you need to have selection,” says Ian. “You need to have everything. And that’s our philosophy: we’re an art gallery for music.”
Over the years, the Boyd brothers have witnessed the rapid evolution of music tastes and trends. Despite the ongoing popularity of music streaming and digitization, they recognize the continued need for brick-and-mortar establishments like Compact Music, which has proudly served the Glebe community for twenty-seven years.
For James, the decision to open Compact Music was simple: “We thought, what are we going to do in life? Let’s have a record store. Why not?”
You can visit Compact Music at 785 Bank Street or check out their website and social media for more information.
