From Coffee to Vinyl: The Evolution of Outer Bound in Burleigh Heads

Nestled in the heart of Burleigh Heads, Outer Bound is much more than just a record store; it’s a cultural hub that that encapsulates the spirit of the Gold Coast.

In 2022, Martin and Nathan started a café space that celebrated the things they loved most: the great outdoors, surfing, quality brands, good coffee, and, of course, the company of amazing people. However, it wasn’t until a year later that Outer Bound evolved into something truly special with the introduction of its music platform during their record store launch in May.

Outer Bound isn’t your typical store. It’s a place to connect with people through music, bridging the gap between generations and genres. According to dedicated music director and driving force behind this exciting project, Joey Benigno:

From Coffee to Vinyl: The Evolution of Outer Bound in Burleigh Heads — The joy of musical discovery through crate digging. Image: Joey Benigno.

“My goal is for Outer Bound to also be an education platform – it’s my way of trying to bring light to the lesser-known, overlooked genres within underground electronic music and try to make people understand what it actually is, why it came about, why we listen to it and pay homage to the actual original sounds, people, eras, and origins that influenced dance music today.”

This passion extends beyond the walls of the store, aiming to break down stereotypes associated with vinyl records.

“Most people on the Gold Coast do not even draw the correlation between vinyl and DJ’s; your average person will just think of a record store as strictly 70’s rock or 1920’s classical music. Vinyl releases are as broad in style as anything that exists digitally,” Joey explains.

The inspiration behind the store draws from record stores and listening bars across the globe. There is also a growing number of establishments on the east coast of Australia combining independent record stores, cafés, and community spaces like Echo and Bounce, Catalog Music, Something Else Records, and Natural Selection which also served to influence the Outer Bound initiative. This space is not just about expanding the musical horizons of others, and Joey actively engages with the collection, picking a record each week and diving deep into its history and significance, passionately sharing his own newfound knowledge with other eager music enthusiasts.

What truly sets their collection apart is its dedication to electronic music on vinyl. It’s the first of its kind on the Gold Coast to offer an electronic music-focused inventory as its primary focus. Previously, local vinyl enthusiasts had to sift through the backroom bargain bins of rock-focused stores or even travel to Brisbane for a similar experience. Outer Bound aims to change that by providing a curated selection of electronic gems. From disco and dub to balearic beats, electro, vintage house, garage, breaks, and even prog-infused tech and euphoric trance, offering a musical journey that honours nostalgia as well as embraces fresh and innovative sounds.

The guys commitment to creating unique experiences doesn’t stop at its records. The store actively collaborates with local food artisans, producers, clothing brands, and other record vendors. From local record labels like Nerang Recordings to vinyl record pop-up vendors like Waiting Room Records and local food trucks like Youngy’s Slice, Outer Bound brings together a diverse range of local talent under one roof.

But it’s at their events that the magic truly happens. Recent collaborations with local event brand Ravewave brought international artist BALDO from Barcelona to the Gold Coast for a sold-out show that left punters wanting more. These events are about more than just music; they’re immersive experiences that create a journey through sounds as well as meaningful connections and lasting memories. And that’s exactly what music, and electronic music in particular, does. Combined with a safe, intimate, and musically tasteful experience, evoking a sense of introspection, empowerment, euphoria, and the celestial. It’s a unique emotional dance experience that’s typically only experienced in distant places like Europe, and now, right here on the Gold Coast.

By cultivating, educating, and expanding the Gold Coast’s niche community of forward-thinking music enthusiasts, Outer Bound has positioned itself as more than just a record store; It’s a movement celebrating music, culture, and community. It’s a place where vinyl records come to life and where people come together to share their love for music. Whether you’re a vinyl enthusiast, a music lover, or just curious to explore new sounds, Outer Bound welcomes you with open arms and spinning turntables.