Vinyl Lives

Most industries must adhere to strict rules. Construction sites comply with safety regulations, financial advisors must be wary of illegal trades, and corporate offices must follow the guidelines of a well-documented chain of command. A record store, though, has always been more than a business. It is a community hub for the music-minded, a place […]

The American dream lives in the small towns that dot the map between these monstrous metropolises. These communities work tirelessly as a unit to uphold their beloved towns, and Milltown, New Jersey, is no different. With a population of just over 7,000, Milltown is a slice of Americana, and every small town needs a cultural […]

Theoretically, there are no two record stores that are identical. Like a collection of Ethiopian jazz albums, each shop has a distinction from the others, almost as if these stores are as much an expression of self as the albums they’re selling. Some shops lean on a gimmick, some aim to reimagine the shops of […]

California’s Napa Valley is known for its rich presence in the wine history books. Its lush Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect area to grow the grapes that go into some of the world’s most renowned bottles of wine, and this wealthy area has a new place to test some of these fine elixirs. Folklore […]

Southern California, home to the stars, sun-drenched memories, and some of the finest record shops on the West Coast of the United States. Through the rich musical history that has driven the area’s art scene for decades and continues to do so, many locals have been inspired to get involved. Whether you were starting a […]

Life has a funny way of placing you right where you need to be. The journey could be a long and confusing one, but it ultimately lands you in your own corner of the universe, a customizable reality all of your own. For Jen Keenan, head honcho at the soon-to-be iconic Queen B Vinyl Cafe, […]

With Record Store Day 2025 right around the corner, indie record shops worldwide are gearing up for the biggest vinyl event of the year. Tula’s Studio Records is no exception. The one-stop-shop record palace strikes a delicate balance between classic records and new releases and offers turntable equipment. Its vast selection showcases its dedication to […]

“When your light goes out, what is there?” Sometimes loss can emerge in songs before we know it’s there. At least that’s how it felt to Seattle-based musician Craig Klein, who asked himself this question. Last August, Klein, who records music under the name Ohr and formerly fronted The Race, was deep into the recording […]

Mary Ocher has been pushing the boundaries of pop and avant-garde music for almost two decades, transcending the lines between high and low cultures. A punk poet, sound artist, director and visual artist, Ocher counts artists such as Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Animal Collective, Sean Lennon, and Nan Goldin among her admirers. Focusing on […]

Combining two of your favorite things always looks good on paper. Garlic and chives? Genius. Cigarettes and coffee? Even better. Mixing your love of social media with your furry best friend to make your dog an Instagram account? The passion is there I guess. Now and again, a combo comes along that is so enticing […]

The places your passions can take you are endless. As music fans, we have heard some of the most awe-inspiring tales pave roads of gold for some of the most acclaimed artists of our time. No one’s story is perfect and art gives these unperfect moments a platform to reach out and grab people with […]

Seattle’s Brent Amaker & the Rodeo will be releasing their new album Philaphobia on January 26th via Killroom Records. Since forming in 2005, Brent has reveled in an idiosyncratic style that doesn’t fit into preordained categories. He’s a country singer whose band is known for dressing in matching black cowboy outfits, yet Amaker is more […]

Everyone has their pick of their best local record store. Whether you love the people who work there, love their selection, or both, every vinyl fanatic has their go-to brick-and-mortar to peruse. Visiting every single independent record shop in the country seems almost impossible, so sometimes we only hear about the fantastic work a record […]

The instructions were simple. A couple of years ago, Anthony Pirog reached out to old friends and new collaborators alike with an open-ended request: could they send him an original ambient track, between four and five minutes long, that he could then record on top of? He put “ambient” in quotes recognizing that each musician […]

In the heart of the great state of Connecticut, there is an unassuming building that houses one of the greatest musical assets the state has ever seen. Redscroll Records is an established safe haven for the state’s music nerds, quickly becoming a breeding ground for local and well-known musicians across a plethora of genres. Redscroll […]

The holiday season is synonymous with so many joyous symbols and traditions. Waking up on that first morning of autumn as the air thickens with brisk breezes signifies the beginning of family parties, presents, and homemade meals. For music fans, there is a holiday right in the middle of it all that makes breaking out […]

Miami is known for its warm weather and colorful culture. A city drenched with the rich history of so many people from different walks of life calling it home, Finding a hub for a city with such a dense art scene is always exciting. Welcome Lucky Records, one of Miami’s most dedicated record shops. With […]

In Vinyl Lives we spotlight and profile record stores around the country who offer music lovers an experience that goes beyond an iTunes purchase or a Spotify playlist. Vinyl has found a new resurgence in recent years and the good folks behind independent record stores are on the front line, directly responsible for curating a […]

Right in the heart of the Great White North, there is a record store so enticing and lively it almost feels like a dream. Recordland is located in Calgary Alberta, Canada, and is home to what has to be one of the largest record selections in all of Canada. The shop has been updating its […]

In Vinyl Lives we spotlight and profile record stores around the country who offer music lovers an experience that goes beyond an iTunes purchase or a Spotify playlist. Vinyl has found a new resurgence in recent years and the good folks behind independent record stores are on the front line, directly responsible for curating a […]