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Record stores are experiencing a revival thanks to nostalgic fans and collectors who cherish analog music, and Los Angeles offers plenty of unique and well-regarded record shops from which to select.
From Hollywood megastores to small mom-and-pop shops in Echo Park, these places provide something for vinyl collectors of every sort.
After nearly a year away, Amoeba Music is back in Hollywood! Their newly opened store covers an entire city block and boasts the world's most comprehensive and varied selection of music and movies ever seen under one roof.
The expansive floor space features vinyl and CD records, along with books and posters, in a mezzanine area; there's also an area dedicated to curated t-shirts and collectibles; rainbow-colored columns make the layout memorable; the large turntable makes finding what you want easy!
Amoeba employees are highly knowledgeable about their music and movies, making Amoeba an invaluable source for your media needs. In addition, live performances by both established musicians as well as emerging ones are held regularly at this store. Although Amoeba sold its building that housed it, they negotiated a long-term lease with their landlord so as to keep it open - great news for anyone who appreciates independent record stores as well as the physicality of CDs & vinyl records!
Are You Searching for Records in Los Angeles? Check Out Gimme Gimme Records - this store carries an expansive selection of rock music at great prices as well as offering old albums at incredible discounts! Additionally, Gimme Gimme has an incredible bargain bin where you may discover hidden gems for just a few dollars each!
Dan Cook ran a small record shop in the East Village until gentrification forced him to relocate to Highland Park in 1994, then to Silver Lake a year later. Since then, his store has become an LA mainstay, earning rave reviews for its selection of obscure psychedelic records and hip-hop releases.
Cosmic Vinyl in Los Angeles is another acclaimed record shop that stands out. Offering vegan coffee shop and listening stations, as well as vintage stereo equipment and pinball machines. A must-see stop for music enthusiasts; their classic vinyl collection comprises 33, 45 and 78rpm records!
Rockaway Records in Orange County offers an expansive vinyl selection, and is well-regarded among vinyl collectors. Former employees include Lucinda Williams and Tommy Dunbar; they even used it as filming location for Arliss and Gene Simmons Family Jewels!
Rockaway Records has recently made the transition from selling albums and CDs to offering collectible items, especially concert posters and promotional merchandise. Johnson reports that his market has shifted younger, with Gen Xers and millennials showing greater interest in metal, punk, and grunge bands than traditional records such as vinyl records or CDs.
Independent record stores remain an integral component of music culture despite streaming services' dominance, such as Amoeba and Rockaway. Others, like Truckee's Rock Cellar Records or Arcata's People's Records have flourished as niche shops that cultivate loyal customer bases.
This store boasts an enormous selection of music and books, complete with listening stations that make discovering new records easy. In addition, live performances are held regularly here, and this shop has been named Los Angeles' best record store on multiple occasions - make sure you pay them a visit on Sunset Boulevard today!
Sick City Records in Echo Park boasts an expansive collection of punk and metal music, limited edition pressings and other memorabilia - as well as offering haircuts so that customers can transform themselves while shopping! Sick City Records makes for the ideal stop if you're searching for something unique - they even provide haircuts so you can look good while browsing!
Rockaway Records in Silver Lake offers another fantastic place to pick up vinyl records, with their extensive bargain bin containing rare finds and an on-site cafe where customers can grab quick snacks while shopping.
