A Tour for Vinyl Record Lovers

Post

Subscribe

No matter how diminutive, how unobtrusive our listening to music devices become, many people still prefer good old vinyl. Something you can hold in your hands, something with a cover, something you can see, play and better still collect.

Vinyl is so popular that even some contemporary bands put out vinyl versions of their work because fans demand it.

While it is a lot of fun fossicking around opportunity shops and flea markets to find such treasures it is also perhaps too much like pot-luck. Or should I say crating can get grating.



The other option is vinyl stores. After all, Melbourne has one of the largest number of vinyl record stores per head in the world. There are so many you could literally spend days on their trail. Which is why it is great that there is a map! You can download Diggin' Melbourne: a Tour Guide for Vinyl Record Lovers which will tell you where to go to find vinyl treasure. This map has recently been updated in 2012 to reflect changes in the scene.

Chris Gill, owner of Northside Records in Fitzroy came up with the idea and his free, downloadable map means record lovers can tour 31 independent music retailers which still stock good old records.

Some are in the city while others are in the burbs. Along with the map there is a little information on each shop including genres stocked, opening hours and contact details.

This could save you a lot of time traipsing around. Especially if you are looking for presents for people.

For example Northside focuses on soul, hip-hop, disco, jazz, funk and African music but sells other mediums besides vinyl. While Licorice Pie in Prahran sells only vinyl and has over 10,000 albums. You can search their catalogue and buy online Radical Records in Dandenong is a hard rock and heavy metal specialist. They also like to find those elusive records for you Heartlands Records is just near the Victoria Market in Peel Stree,t so you can do your 'marketing' and music buying all in one outing.

Quality Records in Malvern specialise in buying, selling or exchanging. Their store is a place to relax so you can spend hours scrummaging for your treasure.



If you are hunting down vinyl you are going to need some sustenance. The White Rabbit Record Bar in Kensington also has a cafe and a bar. The decor is fittingly retro. Reviewed here on WeekendNotes. Pure Pop Records in St Kilda has a courtyard bar and live music, pizzas and beer on tap. For a full review click here.


Alley Tunes also has it s own cafe and you can kill time here while you wait for your train as it is just near Glenferrie Station. Reviewed here at WeekendNotes.



But of course if you into vinyl, you'll download the map and set forth. Because music makes the world go round and that is what vinyl is all about.

For some other great suggestions view our article Where is the Best Independent Record Store In Melbourne .

It's nice to know that vinyl is still around. It gives that wonderful sense of permanence in a digital ever-changing world. Before long our devices will become so small they will be implanting them.

#music
#hobbies
#shopping
#tours
#vintage_retro
#lists
%wnmelbourne