Dash the Henge record store is providing the local community in Camberwell with much more than just music. Maintaining a genre-less space both musically and literally, this tiny storefront serves as a multi-genre record shop, event space, book store, mini concert venue, and record label office.

It is based in the space formerly occupied by Rat Records, which  had been in Camberwell for 22 years. Rat Records began to suffer as prices in the neighborhood rose and a proposition arose to transform it into a chicken shop. Many in the community were outraged. Local musicians Tim Harper, Nathan Saoudi, and Rebecca Prochnik proposed a new record shop: Dash the Henge. They officially opened on October 12, 2022. Harper says, “It wasn’t something any of us really dreamed of doing, but when the opportunity came it just really made sense.” During the current cost of living crisis, many small businesses have closed their doors. If Dash the Henge makes it, it will be a rare success story at a difficult time.

In order to stay afloat, the owners use several methods to generate revenue which also enhances the rich subculture they provide in South London as well. Harper and Saoudi run a local record label by the same name and sell their artist’s records in the shop. They host events and small concerts in their shop as well, which serves to help spread the word and help up-and-coming artists get recognized. Currently, they are also hosting books from Morbid Books which is a small Camberwell bookshop.

The name Dash the Henge comes from a South London band called “Fat White Family” signed to the record label associated with the shop. Several years ago, they created a fake petition to “pebble-dash” England’s famous landmark Stonehenge. Pebble-dashing refers to the practice of creating a mixture of sand, pebbles, and cement to coat the outside of buildings and protect them from severe weather. Having narrowly saved the space formerly occupied by a beloved record shop from turning into a chicken shop, they picked a name that would serve as a fitting metaphor for the community coming together to “pebble dash” their culture and art. 

All of the owners and employees at Dash the Henge are musicians or have worked in the music industry for a while. Much of their promotion happens through word of mouth and people attending events that they host. Many of them are also from South London originally.

Harper says that South London’s music scene is varied but there’s a heavy emphasis on bands and smaller artists. Dash the Henge aims to amplify South London’s unique sound, while not limiting themselves to a particular category.

“We don’t really want to get stuck on just one genre of music, style or demographic. The key for us is to be representative of our community, and as diverse as possible. We don’t really specialize in a specific genre or era.”

Their records are sourced from all over London, many brought by friends and other musicians. Now they are working with distributors to source newer releases. Many people come here specifically for new releases by the artists that Dash the Henge signs to their label. Harper says some of their most popular genres are blues rock, psych, and “anything Beatles related.”

Two months in, Dash the Henge is becoming a Camberwell staple just like Rat Records was before. More importantly, they may be proof there is hope in a time of crisis. Harper admitted that while they are very new, the outpouring of support from the community is what keeps the music playing.