{"id":11161,"date":"2019-09-12T21:35:07","date_gmt":"2019-09-12T21:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/?p=11161"},"modified":"2019-09-12T21:35:07","modified_gmt":"2019-09-12T21:35:07","slug":"best-independent-record-shops-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/best-independent-record-shops-america\/","title":{"rendered":"10 of the Best Independent Record Shops in the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Founding member of Depeche Mode, Martin Gore put it perfectly when he said \u2014 \u201cIt was so exciting to go to the record shop and buy a piece of vinyl and hold it, read the liner notes, look at the pictures. Even the smell of the vinyl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, one of the greatest joys of life (and travel) is the art of record collecting. A few years back, I did an around-the-county road trip in search of food. What I found nestled among plates of culinary art and sandwiched between coffee shops and burger joints were some of the best vinyl purveyors in America.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Portland, Oregon, across the coast to New York City, here are <\/span>10 of the Best Independent Record Shops in America<\/span><\/i>. A mix of old and new, all with their own unique hints of nostalgia, these stores serve so that dedicated vinyl fanatics can expand their always-growing collections.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toss your favorite record on, turn it up, and let\u2019s dive in!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shangri-La Records<\/a> (Memphis)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This little record store in Memphis, Tennessee is known as one of the top shops in the state. With a knowledgeable staff and a selection of all genres, this local landmark boasts a particularly hefty selection of blues, country, and rock \u2014 an ode to the history of Memphis music. Grab a burger and brew from Huey\u2019s Midtown across the street, then spend the afternoon getting lost in Shangri-La\u2019s friendly vibes and fantastic selection. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Courtesy of Shangri-La Records<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Groove<\/a> (Nashville)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the slogan \u2018<\/span>Music is for Everyone<\/span><\/i>\u2019\u2014The Groove off Calvin Avenue in Nashville is an inclusive shop that offers a little something for collectors of all kinds. It\u2019s no surprise that Nashville, which is also known as Music City, is home to an array of musical shops, jobs, and innovation. With a quaint location in a refurbished home, The Groove provides a comfortable, cozy, and organized environment for crate digging. Simply wander up the wooden staircase and find yourself in a homey living room filled with vinyl.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Courtesy of The Groove<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Amoeba Music<\/a> (Los Angeles) <\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amoeba Music prides itself on being The World\u2019s Largest Independent Record Store. With locations in San Francisco\u2019s Haight-Ashbury district and the original on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley (which also boasts a weed dispensary<\/a>), the Hollywood location makes this list as one of our favorites. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From vinyl to videos to live shows, Amoeba Music off Sunset Boulevard is their biggest store yet. It occupies an entire city block and houses a diverse collection, the kind that will send vinyl enthusiasts into a fit of glee. Snag a signature blend from Groundwork\u2019s Coffee across the way and let the all-day hunt for record treasures ensue.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amoeba Music | Photo: Kevin Hanley<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Reckless Records<\/a> (Chicago)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reckless Records originated in London and now has three Chicago locations in three distinct neighborhoods \u2014 among them, the Wicker Park location. Since 1988, this store has been home to a wide variety of labels. Reckless\u2019 music buyer Matt Jencik<\/span> is known to take pride<\/a> in stocking everything from \u201cthe new Beyonc\u00e9 CD to a cassette by an up-and-coming local artist to a reissue of a mostly unknown African psychedelic rock band or an obscure techno 12-inch.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on the lookout for some new tunes but aren\u2019t quite sure what those new tunes might be, pop into Reckless Records and saunter about for an hour or two. You\u2019ll find just the thing <\/span>you didn\u2019t know you were looking for<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reckless Records, Wicker Park | Photo: <\/em>Pete<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Waterloo Records<\/a> (Austin)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Waterloo Records is a longtime fan favorite in Austin, Texas, having won 37 consecutive<\/a> Austin Music Awards for \u2018Best Record Store.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It opened its doors in 1982 before Austin became the music-art-food-film mecca it is today. However, even before Austin\u2019s popularity boom, the musical artists of Texas were known and respected around the world \u2014 from the 13th Floor Elevators to Willie Nelson. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From its beginning, Waterloo stood out as a shop that catered to the music lover rather than the music buyer. Step foot through the doors today and you\u2019ll find the magical element of record shopping they still speak to<\/a> \u2014 <\/span>the kindred soul of merchant and consumer<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Waterloo Records | Photo: Spencer Selvidge<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Sweat Records<\/a> (Miami)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hip, indie, and boasts a coffee bar complete with locally-roasted Panther Coffee and an assortment of vegan goods. If it\u2019s a chocolate-coconut latte you prefer while shopping for an eclectic assortment of wax, consider paying a visit to this Florida hot spot. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweat also hosts all kinds of events and their website\u2019s home to a<\/span> calendar<\/a> that covers the musical happenings in South Florida. A stop at Sweat Records is rarely spontaneous or short; it\u2019s the type of place devoted customers plan their day around to browse, peruse, listen, sip, and eat.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sweat Records | Photo: Alex Markow<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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A Separate Reali<\/b><\/a>t<\/a><\/b>y Records<\/b><\/a> (Cleveland) <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to A Separate Reality, the largest vinyl record shop in Cleveland, Ohio. Owner Augustus Payne is a record collector-dealer, occasional DJ, musician, and audio engineer who once sold records<\/span> on the road and at conventions<\/a> before putting down roots at his brick-and-mortar shop. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payne\u2019s store boasts rare and collectible records from the 1950s to today with a broad focus across genres (from Free Jazz to Latin to Classic Rock) and is also known for buying large, used collections. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Augustus\u2019 true love is obscure music from the \u201860s and \u201870s \u2014 so if that\u2019s your ultimate jam, pack your bag and make the trip to Cleveland! While you\u2019re at it, make sure to pay a visit to the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a temple for the musically minded.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mississippi Records<\/a> (Portland, Oregon)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

North Portland is home to a few notable record shops, among them, Mississippi Records. Shop owner Eric Isaacson has a label of the same name and, despite the label\u2019s move to Chicago, the storefront has remained a staple of the Portland vinyl scene. It\u2019s the loveable gem that <\/span>Willamette Week once called<\/span><\/a> a \u201croom resembling the den of that eccentric hermit at the end of the street you’ve been dying to become friends with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This store specializes in rare blues, gospel, pre-Beatles rock, as well as punk and garage rock. Located in a charming blue and white building next to a \u201cNatural Wine Dive Bar\u201d named<\/span> Sardine Head<\/span><\/a>, this store evokes the welcoming, quirky nature of Portland as a whole. Dig deep through a sea of colorful vinyl covers and find your treasure at this well-stocked Oregon gem.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Jinkyu\u0308ng<33 (@jinkyung3_3)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>