Record Stores: Take Advantage of Them
So one thing I've discovered over the past year is that record stores are literally the coolest places ever. I'm sure this isn't news to anyone, and my list of favorite new haunts is quickly growing. Philly and its surrounding area is one of the best outlets for music, and my vinyl collection has grown exponentially since my passion for collecting physical music began. There's just something about owning a record, whether there's nothing special about its appearance or it's the most intricately designed disc you've ever seen - it's a hobby worth investing in.
Some of my favorite places are Creep Records, Siren Records, Main Street Music, and Repo Records. I've also discovered that Urban Outfitters often has lots of great finds in their discount section, but I always prefer to check out music stores first. I've come across so many great vinyls at these stores, but what makes these places so great goes way beyond their inventory.
One thing that's so unique to vinyl collectors is Record Store Day, or, as Dylan calls it, The Best Day of the Whole Year. Which it is. So many bands - I'm serious. So. Many - release a limited amount of pressings of RSD exclusives for you to look out for. It's such a fun way to bring the music community together. When you find that awesome Grouplove seven inch pressing of "Little Mess" like I did, you know you're a part of a small majority who's just that obsessed with the band. And it's a really cool feeling.
AND most record stores also host small shows, which is something I didn't know about until recently. Siren Records in Doylestown often hosts my all-time favorites Good Old War and Anthony Green for intimate sets. I would give anything to be able to go back and see those shows.
Danny Black browsing in Main Street Music, Manayunk (copyright Dylan Eddinger Photography)
Last week, Dylan and I stopped by Creep Records for the first time to cover The Orphan The Poet's set. And we left that night with three new records. Typical. Needless to say, Creep is definitely a new favorite. But what I learned about Creep shows is this: they are intimate, but they're also so not. This show was heavy. The lineup was really varied. From Jacob In The Floorboards' beautiful Ed Sheeran-esque set to The Orphan the Poet's loud punky set, it was definitely not what I was expecting. I left the show feeling very pleasantly surprised. And I'd discovered two new awesome artists that I'd otherwise never have known about. That's the thing about small shows anywhere - they introduce you to some unlikely new favorites.
When I'm in the mood for an acoustic set, I'll head over to Main Street Music, and we saw Danny Black play his new "Adventure Soundtrack" there in April. Because this is a much smaller space than Creep or Siren Records, it's the perfect atmosphere for just-a-guy-and-a-guitar set up. And the people who run Main Street are the nicest people ever, and they really enjoy hosting these shows. That's what makes it even better.
Collecting vinyl has easily become an addiction. I used to think that hoarding boxes of records would just take up time, space, and money, and everything's digital anyways. But, once you pick up that first record, that favorite record, it's hard to believe that you hadn't started sooner.
