Backspacer Records Is Putting OPM on Japan's Shelves

It was after hours. Backspacer Records was closed to customers when the Chino Borromeo, the store's business development manager, warmly welcomed me in. It was only my second time going there. Inside, shelves of vinyl records, both local and international, fill the walls. Packaged boxes of merch litter the floor.

Backspacer Records has accomplished most of what it hoped to do almost five years after its feature in 2021. The store has expanded twofold. In the new space, a wall is dedicated to their trophies—that is, some of the OPM records they have released in vinyl over the years with the signatures of their artists. In the uppermost left is Peryodiko’s self-titled album (2009), Backspacer Records’ very first outing whose origins are told in the previous article. 

Alongside their maiden release are classics like Kitchie Nadal’s alt/pop rock self-titled debut album (2004); Ebe Dancel’s alt/pop rock Bawat Daan (2015); and Johnoy Danao’s folk pop Dapithapon (2010), with newer breeds like Zack Tabudlo’s soul pop debut Episode (2021), Hey June’s indie rock debut Curiosity Killed the Cat (2023), and Lola Amour’s jazz rock self-titled album (2024).

“We don’t discriminate when it comes to genre,” Borromeo said. And this is apparent in their almost 100 physical projects, including CDs and cassettes. More from what’s mentioned above are Clara Benin’s indie folk sophomore album befriending my tears (and then some) (2023), Flow G’s rap album 247 (2025), and most of BINI’s P-Pop catalog.

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A wall of OPM vinyl records at Backspacer Records in Pasig City

If I sound like a broken record myself, it’s because this is a library really worth noting. As Borromeo (who is one of only five regular employees of the store after its founders Robert and Tasha) said, most of them are suntok sa buwan. The care and effort they put into each piece is remarkable; they also produce the bonus material inside. And there’s also the impeccable quality control, which they have to coordinate with overseas. He showed me his very favorite project: rock band The Itchyworms’ second album, Noontime Show (2005), in a transparent vinyl pressed with liquid simulating beer inside.

Noontime Show's transparent vinyl that has a cheeky beer visual as a nod to the now-classic Itchyworms hit

What was once a passion project has not only become a viable business but also a cultural touchstone for the local music industry. Now, they have built a name where labels themselves approach them for potential partnerships. Most recently, they linked up with The Dawn for the legendary rock band's KWARENTA tour.

Backspacer Records’ next venture comes overseas. With their partnership with Japan’s legacy music stores Tower Records and DiskUnion, OPM reaches a foreign market where physical media still reigns. “Malaking credit to OPM, may following talaga ang music natin in this part of Asia. May mga artist tayo who are resonating with Japanese listeners like Lola Amour, Zild, One Click Straight, and Cup of Joe,” Chino shared.

As an example, SB19’s first ever physical release was an exclusive Japanese CD pressing of Simula at Wakas (2025). It predates a Philippine release, as Backspacer Records have just very recently announced their take on Wakas at Simula (2026). This shows that Japan is very much a physical-leaning nation. And a lucrative market to export OPM. “Complementary ang lahat, if umangat ‘yung presence ng OPM sa global music scene, the more artists do amazing work, the more we can sell,” he reflected.

Later in the interview, Chino obliged my request to play IV of Spades’ Andalucia and BINI’s Talaarawan. It was my first time, really, listening to vinyl. Right away, I was able to distinguish the difference from streaming—that physical sound is more ethereal as each layer of vocal and instrumental is easily distinguishable from each other.

Borromeo putting on IV of Spades' explosive comeback record, Andalucia

Borromeo sees fandoms as a major factor in pushing physical media sales.  “When you have P-pop, when you have your pop bands like IV of Spades and BINI, they’ll always get the attention kasi they’re popular right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of people also who are returning to more intentional experiences. Maraming napapagod na sa streaming algorithm. Curation is a part of music experience. It’s weird to have a computer do that for you.”

Physical media will never overthrow digital media’s hegemony. That’s the reality of it. Digital is convenient, cheap. and accessible whereas vinyls go in the realm of deluxe collectibles. Even so, it’s a growing market and Backspacer Records’ growth is testament to that.

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