About Us
Sunshine Coast based record collector and Record Fair organiser, Mark Grounds is on the cusp of opening WAX BUILDUP. A brand new coffee shop and record store situated on Maroochydore's once bustling high street. Our aim is to not only boast a wide range of both new and vintage vinyl and serve great coffee but to provide the local music scene with a place for artists and musicians to grow and feel supported. Our main focus is inclusion, to give the community a place where everyone can feel welcome, enjoy music and art or just hang out and have a drink!
Mark Grounds has been prolific in Brisbane's music scene since the early 90's. He joined his first band in 1991 and recorded an album as well as performing gigs around Brisbane. By 1995 he had dropped his own instruments and started working as a stage technician and PA rigger with many acts coming through Brisbane when he asked the merch seller for a free shirt at 'The Cramps' show at The Roxy. This innocent question changed his destiny and after scores of gigs over the next few months he was on his first national tour. Many tours followed and soon it was ten months of the year on the road. During downtime, he would supplement his income by selling second hand records at The Valley Markets and taking on a casual job at Skinny's Records in Brisbane. The touring didn't stop but after twelve years on the road with many artists and festivals it was time to embark on family life with his first child on the way. He started a full time job as music manager at JB Hifi and worked at five locations over the duration of 11 years. He was at the forefront of the retail chain obtaining a record section pleading with the company to allow him to stock them despite many knock backs until they eventually embraced the idea.
Since moving to the Sunshine Coast, he has held a bunch of record fairs and also started a business with the team at Sonic Sherpa running on-site pop-up record shops at many festivals across Australia including Splendour In The Grass, Bluesfest, Falls Festival and many more.
Now the time has come for a new chapter. A dream that he has had since moving to Melbourne in 2002 to open a Record/Coffee Shop. He's found the venue, he's built the furniture, he has the espresso equipment and he has thousands of records that have been locked in his 'vault' deemed too good to sell at markets. Now there are just a few more things to do....
Mark Grounds has been prolific in Brisbane's music scene since the early 90's. He joined his first band in 1991 and recorded an album as well as performing gigs around Brisbane. By 1995 he had dropped his own instruments and started working as a stage technician and PA rigger with many acts coming through Brisbane when he asked the merch seller for a free shirt at 'The Cramps' show at The Roxy. This innocent question changed his destiny and after scores of gigs over the next few months he was on his first national tour. Many tours followed and soon it was ten months of the year on the road. During downtime, he would supplement his income by selling second hand records at The Valley Markets and taking on a casual job at Skinny's Records in Brisbane. The touring didn't stop but after twelve years on the road with many artists and festivals it was time to embark on family life with his first child on the way. He started a full time job as music manager at JB Hifi and worked at five locations over the duration of 11 years. He was at the forefront of the retail chain obtaining a record section pleading with the company to allow him to stock them despite many knock backs until they eventually embraced the idea.
Since moving to the Sunshine Coast, he has held a bunch of record fairs and also started a business with the team at Sonic Sherpa running on-site pop-up record shops at many festivals across Australia including Splendour In The Grass, Bluesfest, Falls Festival and many more.
Now the time has come for a new chapter. A dream that he has had since moving to Melbourne in 2002 to open a Record/Coffee Shop. He's found the venue, he's built the furniture, he has the espresso equipment and he has thousands of records that have been locked in his 'vault' deemed too good to sell at markets. Now there are just a few more things to do....
One of the many record stores I've visited. This one in Montpelier, France
TOURS |
FESTIVALS |
RETAIL |