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The Beatles / Beatles Travel / Amoeba Records / Record Stores / RockBand / → All Tags

California's Amoeba Records Stores Partying With The Beatles Tonight

Its 9-9-09 and it might as well be the universe's Official Beatles Day. The entire catalog of The Beatles songs have been released on remastered CDs (the set is a hefty $260) and The Beatles Rockband is now in stores ($59 for the game, $249 for the game and Beatles-inspired instruments).

Brooklyn Nomad has put together a great list of places in the world that were important to The Beatles But if you're stuck in California and can't just hop on a plane to India, Liverpool, Montreal, Hamburg or London, then consider popping into one of the Amoeba Records stores in either Hollywood, San Francisco or Berkeley.

Amoeba is an old-school, independent record store that (we hope) will never go out of business. In Hollywood, it's located next to the ArcLight Theater on Sunset Boulevard. It's a two-storey building packed with new CDs, used CDs, some new vinyl, a lot of old vinyl and really, anything music-related. And don't think its just for hippies and rockers. They totally sell Mariah Carey CDs too. (Shhhh....)

And today, the stores are having an all-day long Beatles party!

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Record Stores Travel: Snag CDs on the Subway

Every time we hop on the New York Subway, it seems, someone's blasting reggaeton or salsa so loudly we can make out the words halfway down the train car. So it's fitting that the much-missed Latin music emporium Record Mart is back, installed in a new storefront in the Times Square station under 42nd Street.

The shop closed down in 1999, when it carried a mix of salsa, Latin jazz, mambo and tango. After a lengthy station renovation, decidedly not Hispanic owner Jess Moskowitz had to catch up with the times. So while he still has plenty of big band-ish tracks, you can also dig through the crates for Mexican rancheras and tons of reggaeton.

The shop is right across from some Wachovia Bank ATMs, between the 1, 2, 3 trains and the N, R, Q, W lines. If you can't find it, just listen for the tunes--if you can hear them over the breakdancers that swarm the station on weekends.

Related Stories:
· Venerable Latin Music Store Record Mart Back [NYDN]
· Beneath the Roar of Times Square, a Rhythm Returns [NYT]
· Record Stores coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Christian Hansen for The New York Times]

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Shopping in London: Scouring Spitalfields

We love shopping. And our London correspondent Annabel Ross does too...

When you think about markets in London, Portobello is probably the first that comes to mind, but it's not the only place to spend your pennies. Spitalfields Market, in the trendy East End, play host to an array of tantalising treats for your tastebuds and covetable clothes for your wardrobe, most far more affordable than their Notting Hill counterparts.

Sunday is the busiest day, with over 200 stalls, including an organic-only food market. Fridays are popular with fashionistas as the Young Designers' Market features wares from over 50 aspiring designers, while the first and third Wednesdays of the month are reserved for the Books and Records Market, choc-full of a fantastic selection of literature and music, both new and used.

Located just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, the Spitalfields vicinity is home to a range of stylish second-hand and vintage clothing boutiques, as well as some newer additions including a Benefit makeup store and swanky-yet-affordable eatery Canteen, for those who prefer comfort food to fresh produce. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for celebrity shoppers among the crowds--Kate Moss and Sienna Miller are big fans of the area, too!

Related Stories:
· Shopping coverage [Jaunted]
· London Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: scheherezade]

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Shopping in Brooklyn: Independent Record Stores

In addition to bars, boutiques, and overall snootiness, hipsters also bring independent record stores to their 'hoods. And since Brooklyn still reigns supreme as the place to live for twentysomethings, the borough is teeming with shops slinging everything from classical music on vinyl to CDs by up-and-coming bands guaranteed to boost your indie cred.

Though Manhattan has its fair share of worthwhile shops, Brooklyn's less chaotic atmosphere makes for a much more pleasant shopping trip. So, hop on the L train and skip Circuit City for your music fix.

THE BEST BROOKLYN RECORD STORES

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Missing Link Records

Were it not for Gridskipper's recent "Indianapolis for Beginners" guide, we might not have gotten the idea to wander over there this weekend. But wander we did, and we've brought back an addendum for that list. Newbies to the city will want to check out Missing Link Records, should they be in the market for some tunes.

If a respectable shop is only as good as its basement might suggest, Missing Link delivers. Below its main floor is a classically rank record store basement loaded with discount vinyl. Above, on the main floor, you'll find used and new vinyl and CDs--lots of punk, oldies, and metal. Missing Link also prides itself on its hip hop collection.

What the store won't tell you outright is that it actually has some freaky, magical voodoo powers. How else to explain the fact that we found a CD here for $.25? One we'd previously paid $7 for online. Please excuse us while we weep.

Related Stories:
· Missing Link Records [Official Site]
· Beginner's Guide to Indianapolis [Gridskipper]

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Tokyo Record Stores: Reader Request Edition

Jaunted reader Marinho, who is from Vancouver but currently in Tokyo for work, recently wrote in asking where to score great bootlegs and rare classic rock in Tokyo. An addendum to our original recommendations is below.

Well, Marinho, the best Tokyo record store is the one you can find. If you read Japanese, congratulations! You probably will be able to find all of them. If you don't read Japanese, getting around is a bit more bewildering, and that's why I'm such a big advocate of taking the Oedo line to Shinjuku-nishiguchi station and using the D5 exit. This plants you in a great, concentrated area of record stores, and finding them is relatively easy from there.

Continue reading...

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Relative Theory Records

It was damn hot in the Virginia Beach area this Friday. While the roast-a-thon was short lived, it's never too early to start building your directory of local indoor activities (so long as they don't include the Tropicana Resort, that is). Music fans, sun haters, and FlyerTalk types alike should look no further than Relative Theory Records, a Norfolk store you could pretty much live in. Those who get the shakes when not actively engaged in some sort of loyalty program will be happy about the Relative Theory card: $10 gets you the opportunity to accrue store credit (5% of every purchase you make) AND demand a free small coffee every time you enter the shop.

Speaking of the coffee, this place doesn't just shill records, though that's its primary purpose. There's a cafe in the corner, and WiFi to boot, though the seating is extremely limited--most counter spots are set up with turntables and intended for customers previewing records. The vibe and impression one gets of the store's taste leans towards the McIndie, but the selection is pretty damn good. The vinyl and used CD sections are well stocked, and staff recommendations abound, as partly evidenced by the input scrawled on the above vinyl divider. Elsewhere, stickers on merchandise proclaim "Your new boner!" and "That guy from the Kinks!", etc. Indeed, the clerks are not yet jaded, and whoever's in charge is clearly still in their "Holy crap! I own a record store!" phase. Let's hope the feeling last, because this is actually a very, very fun place to hang out.

Relative Theory also holds shows at night, and shoppers are welcome to come in and browse as usual while bands are playing. Don't trust the opening hours on the Relative Theory website, though. The place is open from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Related Stories:
· Relative Theory Records [Official Site]
· The Boot [Official Site]

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Island of Sound: All About Indie Taiwan

Island of Sound is a website run by a former expat English teacher in Taiwan, aimed at documenting the island's rich independent music culture. Webmaster Marty Hodulick left Taiwan in 2005, but his website still stands, still gets the occasional guestbook message, and is certainly still relevant. It's a one-of-a-kind resource in English that covers the venues, festivals, bands and labels of a scene largely unknown outside of Asia. As Marty puts it, Island of Sound aims to deflect attention from "7-11 sellouts" and focus it on the underground.

While browsing through the site, make sure you read up on the history of Nipples, its bassist/singer KK, and her label, White Wabbit Records (and its spin-off store, White Wabbit Orange). KK's a personal girlcrush of ours, and she's done wonders in Taipei and beyond with her efforts. Other articles of note include TRA Music Corporation and Bad Daughter.

In Taiwan, where many parents of today's indie rock stars still consider it bizarre to chase a living playing guitar, rebellion is still real and "the scene" has yet to be completely co-opted. Show some respect and read about it.

[Photo: Petite Mort]

Related Stories:
· Island of Sound [Official Site]
· White Wabbit Records/Orange [Official Site - in Mandarin]

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Memphis Record Shopping Double-Up

Memphis and Elvis: they go together like bananas and peanut butter. In a city renowned for music tourism, you'd think it all revolves around Presley. But there's another side to Tennessee's second city.

Memphis has (or had; he moved to North Carolina) another king: Greg Cartwright. The local legend, Reigning Sound rocker and garage superproducer is an icon here. He's not the only player in Memphis's modern rock 'n' roll history, but his name is surely synonymous--at least to those in the know--with it. Basically, if you're looking for the "indie" rock, you'll be experiencing Greg's Memphis (as opposed to Elvis's).

There's certainly no escaping his recordings (with the Reigning Sound, Oblivians and Compulsive Gamblers, to name a few, plus those he's produced) at stores like Goner Records and Shangri-La Records.

The former, located in Cooper-Young, even put out a live album of Cartwright's, appropriately titled Live at Goner Records, that was recorded in the store. Goner's a gem that has been around for about three years. The selection is roughly half vinyl and half CD, with the requisite local music section up front (in fact, it's the first thing you'll see upon entering the store).

Shangri-La puts out its own Memphis rock compilations, and, of course, carries all the Cartwright records you'll ever need; there's also a healthy mix of vinyl and compact discs here. Come by on Fridays at 5 p.m. for the beginning of "happy hour" for discounts and live performances. The store is just blocks away from Memphis's legendary Ardent Studios, meaning the additional 3-minute pilgrimage is compulsory if you actually dig music.

Related Stories:
· Tokyo Record Stores [Jaunted]

Jaunted Field Trips / Japan Field Trip / Record Stores / → All Tags

Guide to Cool Tokyo Record Stores

Jaunted editor Davie Kaufmann is currently touring Japan. All this week, we'll be running stories from her Jaunted Field Trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Have something you absolutely need to know about Japan?  Just ask.

There are so many record stores in Tokyo, it's no use trying to list them all. If you're pressed for time and want maximum impact with minimum effort, Daikan Plaza Tower B is your place--a few steps in any direction will take you to a new, cool store. The building itself is pretty ugly, a brown box with zig-zagging terraces. Good thing I forgot to take a picture! The interior, however, is a different story, at least if you like music. This pretty nondescript building in West Shinjuku is home to five awesome record stores, and though not officially so, it's basically a rock 'n' roll mini-mall. Here's your guide to the inside:

Beat Collectors (3rd Floor): Only place I did not really spend much time in. Small and seemed to be centered more around DJ stuff.

Hal's (3rd Floor): Pretty good jazz store with a selection of vinyl, CDs, and books about jazz. This is a great place to come if you just want to flip through some LPs and listen to music; the guy behind the counter is always going through good stuff on the turntable. Super bonus points for this text on their shopping bags: "OUR POLICY: We grew up, listening to pop and listening to jazz. The pop music made our hearts flutter, and the jazz made our souls ache. We grew up, yes, but our feelings didn't change...Hal's: where the young and middle-aged baddies hang out!"

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Jaunted in Japan: Yes, I Like Iron Maiden

Jaunted editor Davie Kaufmann is currently touring Japan. All this week, we'll be running stories from her Jaunted Field Trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Have something you absolutely need to know about Japan?  Just ask.

I didn't even skim the surface of Tokyo's record shop offerings today, and already I'm overwhelmed with love for the scene. It took me long enough to find Shinjuku Records, the place I decided would be my starting-off point, though I later discovered (on my way home, naturally) that exit D5 at Shinjuku Nishiguchi station will drop you right in the middle of the action.

I can't get into it all, but let's talk about Shinjuku Records ("Record") for a sec: this teeny metal and hard rock shop is decorated with pictures of bands who have stopped by...you know, Megadeth, Tesla, etc. You can tell some of the pictures are really old (and the bands now universally considered cheesy), but that the people who run the place are probably so pure of heart that they either don't care or truly don't know what year it is.

There's lots of power metal and prog, but my favorite thing about the place wasn't the selection. When I visited, there was a lady of a certain age working the counter--about 45, probably, and sweet as pie. I'm guessing her son owns the shop, as there were a bunch of pictures of a young guy on the wall with all the bands. As I was leaving, she said something to me in Japanese that, naturally, I didn't really understand. Thankfully she had someone helping her, who translated: "Do you like Iron Maiden? Have a sticker." Not that 45-ish is old, really, but I'll never forget the quiet, conservative little lady who offered me an Iron Maiden sticker. Someone, please hook her up with a Bruce Air vacation.

Vienna / Record Stores / Vinyl / Collecting / → All Tags

Vinyl Viennese Rarities

Deep down inside, hard-to-get is the game every record nerd loves to play. For the serious collector who loves a challenge so long as there's a payoff, it doesn't get much better than Ton um Ton Rarities.

This all-vinyl offshoot of the Ton um Ton record store in Vienna will tease you with limited hours (it's open only four hours each day, six days a week) but send you home satisfied. How such rare records end up in the bins here is anybody's guess, but the store has a consistently solid collection of them. Rarities also stocks less hard-to-find releases at fair prices, plus old Record Collector magazines that are entertaining to flip through. Checkout is done by hand, a nice touch that lends itself to the store's hippie atmosphere. Once you're done vinyl hunting, head next door to Ton um Ton proper for concert tickets and advice on local music.