I'm traveling to San Francisco at the end of this month. While I'm out there I had planned on doing some record shopping, only I haven't the faintest where to find the best shops. I've been hoping I could find someone's blog (I'm sure there is one out there but I haven't found it yet) detailing the best places in San Francisco to pick up an album or two. I know the popular record store in town is Amoeba (http://www.amoeba.com/) but thats all I know of. Anyway, I thought I'd list my favorite record stores for anyone looking to find the best spots to grab that new album you've been searching for while in Austin, TX.
BACKSPIN RECORDS
http://backspinrecords.net/Backspin is probably tops when it comes to what I'm looking for in a record store; chill atmosphere, a great selection of new and old in just about every category, two record players (technics no less) to preview before you buy, and they have free keg beer every now and then for events.
..............................................
We stock all these genres and more: Rock (Indie Rock, Classic Rock, Psych, Prog, Metal, 80s and Alt), Hip-Hop (Old School, Golden Era, Indie, Underground, and Commercial Rap & RNB) Dance (House, Techno, Electro, Freestyle, Disco, Italo, House, Breaks), Jazz, Funk, Jazz-Funk, Soul, R&B, Blues, Electronic, 20th Century Composers/Experimental, Classical, Soundtracks, Lounge, Exotica, Comedy, Spoken Word, and Country/Western. We carry a large selection of new vinyl as well.
While we do not like to pigeon-hole ourselves as a speciality store - we do have some of the best classic hip-hop and dance vinyl you are likely to find in Texas!
We pride oursleves on selection, quality, and price. First we try to put out good new records every day. We make sure those records are clean and defect free. If a record has a defect we always try to point them out and price accordingly. Despite the hard work we put in to this process, we still sell our records at affordable prices!
We really love records and we know you do too and that shapes our store's philosophy on used vinyl.
Our Hours are:
Tuesday thru Sunday 12-9
Closed Monday
Address:
4631 Airport BLVD - Suite 110-A
Austin, Texas 78751
Down the street from I Luv Video and near I35 in the Concorde Shopping Center.
WATERLOO RECORDS
http://waterloorecords.com/The closest thing to a Tower or a Virgin (size-wise) that we have in Austin. Ask anyone in town where to buy the new Madonna or the latest hard-to-find Boxcutter import and they will probably say Waterloo. It can get a little crowded on the weekends and the staff can be hit or miss (usually hit) but the selection can not be beat and they have 10% off vinyl on Tuesdays....AND you can return your accidental crappy purchase before ten days, no questions asked.
Hours:
10AM to 11PM Monday - Saturday
11AM to 11PM Sunday
Address:
600A. North Lamar
Austin, TX 78703
END OF AN EAR
http://www.endofanear.com/
At End of an Ear, you feel like you're hanging out in someone's really cool basement. I dig it!
.................................................
Bringing you the best in indie pop, experimental, obscure, prog, psych, jazz, techno, folk, french pop, soul, funk, punk, lounge, reggae, hip-hop, techno and other sounds.
We hope to become the record store you've always dreamed about.
Address:
2209 South First Street
Austin TX 78704
ANTONE'S RECORD SHOP
http://www.antonesrecordshop.com
If you want to really feel like you're shopping in a record store that could only be found in Austin, this is the one to go to. Here you can always find a great record that you weren't even looking for.
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10-10
Sun 11-10
Address:
2928 Guadalupe
Austin, TX 78705
DJ DOJO
http://www.iscratchvinyl.com/A record store and studio with the DJ in mind. They have a nice blog and website, check them out.
Hours:
12:00pm - 7:00pm every day
Address:
2201 S. First St.
Austin, TX 78704
Open Daily: 12-7pm
CHEAPO
http://www.cheapotexas.com/The best used CD store in town. Cheapo isn't exclusive to Austin but its definitely a local staple. Located in the original Whole Foods grocery building, Cheapo will take at least an hour or two out of your day.
Hours:
Open Everyday - 9am to Midnight
Address:
914 N. Lamar
Austin, TX 78703
SOUND ON SOUNDhttp://www.friendsofsound.com/Friends of Sound is a nice little mom and pop style record store located on South Congress. There are many great stores on South Congress to wander in and out of on a nice summer afternoon and you might as well stop by Friends of Sound to say hello. Last time I was there I picked up a great Friends of Sound mix by DJ coolhands and jkettle and a nice Bootsy Collins record.
Hours:
Sunday: Noon - 8pm
Monday-Thursday: 11am - 8pm
Friday-Saturday: 11am - 9pm
Address:
1704 South Congress (Rear)
Austin, TX 78704
