As digital music takes over the airwaves and our iPods, what keeps music lovers, KCRW fans and dedicated DJs going back to old fashioned record stores? Maybe it’s the striking artwork on the album covers, the feeling of resting a record ever so gently on a turntable, or that warm, vinyl sound. Producers Saul Gonzalez and Michael Garber took their cameras inside three record stores on the east side of town, where vinyl is very much alive. Watch below.
I moved out here from the East Coast in the ’80s, and the whole L.A. scene just blew me away… I have had some of my most precious times hanging out at record stores. — Gary Calamar
Also, check out our interview with KCRW DJ Gary Calamar about his vinyl memories and what he makes of the resurgence in record collecting. We’ve gathered a few record store recommendations from other KCRW DJs; and we have a map where you can get the lay of the land, find a record store near you, and add your own hidden gems.
Video: On the Record: LA Vinyl
Interview: Gary Calamar, Author of Record Store Days
KCRW fans know Gary Calamar as one of the station’s beloved DJs, but he’s also an L.A. record store historian and a guy who got his start in the music business selling vinyl. He co-wrote a book about all of this called “Record Store Days,” with journalist Phil Gallo. KCRW’s Saul Gonzalez spoke to Gary about his love of record stores:
Gary Calamar: I am a record store fiend. I grew up loving every record store I saw. I was in love with every aspect of it – the music of course, but also the posters on the wall, the people that worked there and the community of people that hang out at record stores; and when I became old enough to work I started working at record stores. First in Yonkers, N.Y. at Gimbel’s record department, then moved out West and got a job at Licorice Pizza, worked at Moby Disc and Rhino. I have had some of my most precious times hanging out at record stores.
Saul Gonzalez: Those are record stores that I associate with L.A. and the record store scene in the 1980s.
GC: Yeah, I moved out here from the East Coast in the ’80s, and the whole L.A. scene just blew me away. Just visiting Tower Records on Sunset, and places like Music Plus and Licorice Pizza, and the small stores like Bomb Records and Vinyl Fetish. I was hoping to land a job at another record store. I got hired, luckily, and was a manager trainee at Licorice Pizza. It was a great way to be introduced to Los Angeles and the L.A. music scene.
SG: What did these record stores, both in this city and other cities, mean for the music industry in a larger way?
GC: Record stores were where all these records were being distributed and purchased — all the work, all the billboards, all the airplay, all the advertisements, all came down to what happened at record stores. Paying your $10 or $7.99 for a record is where the final part of the equation came in. That’s where record companies would do their promotions, and hook up and have different arrangements with different stores. It was a major cog in the machine. People weren’t getting their records from the mail, there was no Amazon or iTunes and going to the record store was where it all took place.
SG: Was that good for music?
GC: I am not of the mind that it has all gone to hell now. I mean I use iTunes and Amazon, and I still love going into record stores. I certainly appreciate the convenience of iTunes, and in a way I could be buying more now than I was then. I think it was good then and I think it is good now.
SG: In this video, we profiled just a handful of new independent record stores, very small places, what do you make of that little renaissance happening.
GC: I think it’s great! I think that if there is a vinyl resurgence, and these very passionate people are running these stores, I wish them the best… Freakbeat in north Hollywood and Fingerprints in Long Beach are both doing phenomenal jobs, and they are in no rush to close down. They’re doing well.
SG: Although we are not going back to the era, there is a niche group that has turn tables at home and a growing vinyl collection…
GC: Yeah! Absolutely! All these great albums are coming out on vinyl now. I will buy vinyl just for the artwork and keep vinyl just for the great artwork.
Recommendations: KCRW DJ Marion Hodges weighs in
Wombleton is one of the best, but since it’s been featured already, I’ll just say that some of my best finds of late have come from there. Atomic Records in Burbank has always treated me well. Rockaway on Glendale Blvd. is another one with a nice, diverse selection. I haven’t been there yet, but there is a new record store that’s also on Glendale Blvd. called Mono; it’s small but I’ve heard that it’s good. I’ve also been meaning to check out Records L.A. on West Adams Blvd. They carry mostly rare soul, funk, and other things of that nature.
However, since I have to choose one to endorse, I’ll go with Freakbeat in Sheman Oaks. I used to work in Woodland Hills so every few weeks I would give myself a treat to break up the long drive back to Echo Park, and stop by Freakbeat. People sell whole collections there, a lot, so if you go on the right day you can get a nice little haul that is all within the same theme. But the selection of what you can find there is very diverse. They have a pretty thorough selection of new records too, which you don’t always see from a store that has so many great used records. The staff are all super knowledgeable (as you might expect), and really nice. There are three listening stations too, so you can try before you buy.
YOUR TURN TO SHARE: Add your favorite Los Angeles Record Shops to our Google Map
Here are the record shops that we’ve highlighted, along with other KCRW staff and readers. Feel free to drop a pin for the shops where you find your own vinyl gems.
View Los Angeles Record Shops in a larger map
Hi Fidelity recently opened in Los Feliz
1956 N Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-2000 http://www.highfidelityla.com
nice selection – high curated
not so memorable name
Great post!
Don't forget Penny Lane!
Penny Lane Records
1661 East Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 535-0949 http://www.pennylane.com
Wide variety of old LPs, hit or miss on newer albums
Thanks! I added this to our Google map.
CD Trader in Tarzana has a ton of vinyl. It's always worth a visit.
Burbank is home to Atomic Records – incredible selection and super nice people!
http://www.atomicrecordsla.com/Home.html
I love Vacation Vinyl at 3815 West Sunset Blvd. between Hyperion and Lucille. Small shop, but some real treasures.
Timewarp Music
12257 Venice Blvd {1 block east of Centinela}
LA, 90066
323 600 5050
Not only do they deal in vintage musical gear {guitars, amps, rhodes, wurlies etc} but , boy their vintage vinyl ….well, they're not called TIMEWARP for nothing.
Mono Records
1805 Glendale Boulevard
THERE HAS TO BE SOME VINYL ON THE EASTSIDE?
Franky's in Silverlake, right down the street from Vacation.
They have a wide selection of new and used vinyl, but they're also a barber shop, vintage clothing store, and occasional venue for local bands and artists. Listen to the Stooges while you get a cut, an LP, a Journey shirt, or all three. And the owners Jessie and Brian are the coolest, nicest dudes around.
Franky's
3323 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 668-2088 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frankys-Barber-vint…
jacknife records in atwater village on glendale blvd, great stuff.
Brooks Berdan Ltd in Monrovia. See this store on Facebook. They have a great collection of vinyl records – everything you could want. Brooks Berdan Ltd is also a high end audio store. The store is divided in two – one part is vinyl records and the other is audio. “Analog” is the mantra at this store.
Brooks Berdan Ltd
110 West Olive Ave
Monrovia, CA 91016
626 359-9131
Jacknife on Glendale Blvd. has a new owner and is a must visit.
CD Trader in Tarzana. Probably the most square footage of vinyl in the valley. Plus tons of CDs.
Berdan Records in Monrovia – you won't believe what these guys are getting ready to put out…
Soundsations on La Tijera near the Airport – Always good stuff in there.
Amoeba has a nice map they give away at the counter.
Oh, and there's a pretty cool map in the center of Record Collector News with about 80 record stores listed.
We're blessed to have over 100 amazing independent record stores in Southern California.
CD Trader in Tarzana – Canterbury Records in Pasadena – The PCC Record Swap Meet, first Sunday of every month in Pasadena
Jacknife Records
3161 Glendale Bl
Atwater Village http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2011/07/storefront-…
CD Trader – 18926 Ventura Bl., Tarzana, CA 91356 http://www.cdtradertarzana.com
Excellent and large selection of new & used vinyl
Canterbury Records – 805 E. Colorado Bl., Pasadena, CA 91101 canterburyrecords.com
Mostly new vinyl
Pasadena City College Record Swap – 1570 E. Colorado Bl., Pasadena, CA 91106 http://www.pasadena.edu/fleamarket/recordswap.cfm
Huge selection and many local participating vendors
I don't see Canterbury Records on your list. I went there on Record Store Black Friday for a couple of exclusives. Not a huge vinyl selection, but it was decent.
Canterbury Records
805 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
626-792-7184
Great article and video. I'd like to add a few others to the list (they are mentioned in the video but not in the article): Permanent Records in Eagle Rock, Origami Vinyl in Echo Park, Vacation Vinyl in Silver Lake, Jacknife in Atwater Village.
Thanks so much for all of the great comments and suggestions from the producers of the video portion of the blog, Michael Garber and Saul Gonzalez. So many grea L.A. and Southern California record stores to visit and so little time! Who says vinyl is kaput?
Saul
Go Wombleton in Highland Park. It's great to see this coverage!
Soundsations is the ultimate find west of La Cienega. Great vinyl, great people.
8701 La Tijera Blvd
Los Angeles 90045
(310) 641-8877 http://www.soundsationsrecords.com
Two of my really great friends are currently creating a book about the resurgence of vinyl all around the country. Check out their project here.. .http://www.benmeadors.com/vinyl/…they'll be in LA this weekend to meet local record store owners and record lovers!
[...] the digital shift in music, record stores have built a booming new community in Los Angeles. KCRW recently produced that video embedded above about the city’s record [...]
Norwalk Records
Freakbeat Records on Ventura in Sherman Oaks has a variety of new and used vinyl as well as DVD's CD's and all kinds of good music "stuff". Really nice people work there as well!
Which shops have a good selection of jazz lps?
[...] at Which Way, LA?, a KCRW blog, we learn about a few of Los Angeles’ greatest record shops: Permanent Records, [...]
Since they are no longer being made I can't see the cost of records going anyway but up, especially those in very excellent condition with covers the same.
thanks for my comment.
[...] for the first time. In an era when so many bookstores are going the way of the Dodo bird (and record shops!), this store, which opened in 2011, is trying to keep the book selling trade alive. And it’s [...]
5906 1/2 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Mount Analog opened in Highland Park mid last year with the finest selection of electronic and underground this side of the West Coast.
Yes its always the old gives you a real thing which i think we are missing from many years but really good if we used it for any purpose which are being used in terms of music.its also used in Home Improvement activity.
Its good to get these new record store which not available in
General recording but some old way of music is always available and ever green.
I'm a Rockaholic and a RockNRollDude.
Only disadvantage with vinyl is you can't "enhance" it like we do with CDs.
Rock N Roll Dude
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