Words: George Gray

In a world of instant music streaming and dopamine-driven algorithms it’s easy to forget the raw joy of crate-digging. 

The art of patiently sifting through tracks, or waiting for months to find the perfect tune is a practice now lost to many. However, to some extent it’s having a renaissance, with more and more young listeners falling in love with the purity of its sound.

Vinyl’s return to the forefront of preferences doesn’t seem to show any signs of slowing, but it has come at a cost. Rising prices for both new and vintage records and equipment has made it harder for listeners to cultivate and maintain a passion for the beloved format.

This is where independent record shops come into play, havens for those looking for the next record to soundtrack their day, without the commercialisation of streaming platforms.

It’s these shops that play an undeniable role in the backbone of the world’s alt music scene, and in many cases hold vaults of some of the best music yet to be re-discovered. Hundreds of dubplates, rare releases and classics line the shelves of crate-digging goldmines, and one of these special spots is Deal With a Feeling in Florence, Italy.

Tucked away outside the city centre, with a modest sign papered to the door, Deal With a Feeling’s treasure trove of alternative music lies hidden behind its covered entrance.

A certain level of mystery resonates from Florence’s best kept secret, and for good reason, as inside, owner Miki houses enough musical heat to start a riot.

So on a sunny winter morning, when Miki invited us to come spend a day digging and talking all things about his passion for vinyl we of course accepted.

As we began to flick through the many boxes of records things kicked off with a big question: ‘what music meant to Miki’. His answer was simple, “it’s always meant so much to me”. “I’ve always collected vinyl, swapping and searching for more”, Miki revealed. It’s this day one addiction that’s spiralled into his shop’s collection now.

Playing music out is what fuels his passion for vinyl, “I’ve always mixed and for years done radio, something I still try to do lots of now”. As Miki disclosed how he pours his talent for selecting into his playlist platform Circondaria and his Free State show on Fango Radio.

If you ask him what he’ll be mixing though you won’t get a straight answer, because of what Miki describes as his musically “omnivorous appetite”, wanting to “enjoy and listen to all genres”. To Miki, that’s the key, not to limit yourself or “specialise” too niche, but to keep an open mind, “I’m just always curious about what’s out there”.

As we start listening to some of the tunes we’ve carefully picked out, he pauses and reinforces his point that “music really does mean so much”, not just for him personally but to all of us. “Music’s so important in our life, it’s what accompanies us through the most significant moments and so in a way it’s these records that tell the story of people’s lives”.

It’s clear that to Miki it’s impossible for music not to have an impact in our lives, “I believe that a record is truly personal”, and his argument is hard to disagree with.

Whether it’s a specific track, melody or bass-line not much can trigger our strongest emotions and memories like music. Miki summarises it well, arguing to ignore this, or to be unbothered by music is almost to suppress our human individuality.

So as our session comes towards its close we shift towards discussing tips for those looking to get into crate-digging.

To Miki, it again all goes back to keeping an open mind, “you can find records anywhere, from boxes hidden away, lost in the dust and sand, to sellers at flea markets”. “You’ve just got to stay curious and trust your instincts”, he affirms.

By this point I’d found my selection, a pile of around 20 records that had struck a chord with me, so as I excitedly watched Miki wrap them up, I asked a final question. ‘What are the three most unforgettable discs you’ve found over the years?’

The first came quickly, “SxM by Sangue Misto”, the second after a small delay, “the works of Enzo Carella”, but before the final Miki paused, the cogs visibly whirring. “The final find is the one that’s yet to come”, he laughs, a smile beaming ear to ear.

If you’re passionate about your music be sure to pay Miki and Deal With a Feeling a visit, it’s a spot not to be missed.