PICTURES: COVID-19 slows tempo of Surabaya music stall
Emilie Baxter

BY PUTRI WIDJONARKO

Ridwan Prasetya works at an antique vinyl record store in the Surabaya street markets in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The markets, which have been running since the late 70s, sell antique and collectors items - from historical Indonesian daggers to underwater deep-sea diving helmets.

Records are piled high up against the walls in the store.

The 22-year-old’s store boasts a range of different types of second-hand vinyl records, cassette tapes and CDs.

Another music store recently closed down, leaving his as one of the last operating in the markets.

Mr Prasetya has a deep love of music and records.

Running a family-owned vintage record store has brought much joy to the music lover.

“I’m happy I get to do what I like,” he says.

“I get to meet people from all around the world who also love music.”

The shopkeeper is known by his peers for blasting his favourite songs to cheer up the masses.

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on foot traffic in front of the store.

Before the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, people from all around the world would purchase records from the store.

Nowadays, only a few locals still visit.

Mr Prasetya said it had been a very slow couple of months for the business.

“It’s very sad,” he says.

“I can’t wait until people come back to check out the shop.”

Mr Prasetya’s favourite record is by the Oak Ridge Boys.

Due to the deserted streets, Mr Prasetya spends most of his time cleaning records and updating the store’s catalogue.

He said he loves to play Indonesian music in the morning and western music through the day.

The Oak Ridge Boys are his favourite band and he cherishes a hand-me-down vinyl record by the quartet from 1987.

Mr Prasetya has been working long days and nights at the store.

Mr Prasetya has had to work overtime to finish cataloguing all the records and tapes to add to their online store, amid fear the shop will be forced to close down due to the impacts of COVID-19.

The shopkeeper has been working late into the night - up until 10pm - before finally closing the store for the day.