I have a problem - I’m an addict. I am thoroughly and helplessly addicted to vinyl records. In every sense of the term, I am a vinyl junkie. There are few things I love more than owning and listening to my favorite albums on vinyl. If you’ve known me for more than 5 minutes, then this isn’t news to you. Records are my drug of choice. However, this piece isn’t about the drug but the dealer(s).
Record stores have been some of my favorite places for about nine years. I was nine when I first walked into a record store with my dad. It could have been earlier, but that’s my earliest memory. I remember walking into this store in Silverlake and walking out with a record that I had selected. It was an old beat-up copy of the soundtrack to Yellow Submarine. Right then, I was hooked. Even though I was young, I realized how special it was to own a physical manifestation of music I loved. That copy of Yellow Submarine was the official beginning of my record collection, and of course, I still have it.
Since that fateful day in Silverlake, I’ve had innumerable record store experiences, and while I don’t remember every single one, a few stand out. My first time at Amoeba Music in Hollywood (the original Sunset location) was stunning. I couldn’t believe that there could be a store of its size dedicated almost entirely to music. Going up and down the aisles in the rock section looking for Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, etc., was exhilarating and undoubtedly formative. Knowing how to navigate a record store is an acquired skill, and this first trip to Amoeba set me down the path.
More recently, I was in Vienna and knew I had to visit the legendary Alt & Neu of Before Sunrise fame. Those who have seen Richard Linklater’s 1995 film are probably familiar with the scene where Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) are in a record store and go into a listening booth to listen to a record together. Alt & Neu is the store where that scene takes place, and when I walked in, I felt like I was walking into the scene. The store has seemingly remained untouched since when they shot that scene. Below is a picture I took (poorly) trying to recreate a shot from the movie.
I want to speak briefly about the record stores I visit most frequently. There are plenty of great record stores I’ve been to and plenty more that I still need to check out, but if I could only shop at the following three spots for the rest of my life, I’d be delighted.
Jazz Record Center - New York, NY
Located on the 8th floor of an unassuming office building on 26th St. in Manhattan, the Jazz Record Center is a goldmine. As the name suggests, the store carries only jazz, so it might not be for everyone, but it’s like heaven for me. Even if you aren’t a record collector, if you’re interested in jazz, I strongly recommend visiting to experience the wealth of knowledge stored within its walls. If you’re a jazz musician, visiting is a must.
Billy’s Record Salon - Brooklyn, NY
This is a new spot for me, but almost immediately after walking in for the first time in January, I realized this place was special. I go to Billy’s to shop, hang out, and enjoy the space. It’s a real neighborhood spot—friendly, welcoming, and comforting. No one is a stranger at Billy’s. Pair all that with a jaw-dropping selection, and you’ve got one of my favorite places (record stores or otherwise) to spend time.
Amoeba Music - Hollywood, CA
Yes, it’s touristy. It can be crowded and loud and a tad overwhelming at times, but it’s also fucking awesome. Whenever I’m home from college, I prioritize going to Amoeba at least once. It’s there where I can reliably find the most recent jazz reissues from Blue Note, Acoustic Sounds, and Craft/OJC at their appropriate prices, so for that alone, it has to make the list. There’s also a fair amount of sentiment attached to Amoeba for being one of the earliest record stores I ever walked into, as mentioned above.
Record stores are a safe space for me. My whole life, I’ve been very reserved and shy around people that I don’t know. Even with people I know, I can be quiet and awkward. Spending time in record stores has helped me to push through a lot of my social anxiety. Being around people with a common interest and love for vinyl makes it much easier for me to open up. Aside from learning a lot about music, I’ve learned much about myself through time spent in record stores.
Circling back, I’m a record addict, yes - but hey, everyone’s got their vices!
It's great to see record stores thriving these days. That being said, I live in NYC and am not familiar with the ones in this post. I'll need to check them out!
Great post. Physical media is very important. I too have an “addiction” to collecting vinyl, as well as Blu-Rays, DVDs, CDs, and books.