Record shopping is one of my favorite activites.
Richmond has an extremely passionate community of musicians and music fans – the amount of stores where you can go record shopping in RVA is proof of our music obsession. It doesn’t matter where on the taste spectrum your interests lie, if one of the many record shops doesn’t have it chances are they can get it.
I’ve been an obsessive music collector ever since I was young. I used to record Casey Kasem’s popular American Top 40 countdown on blank cassette tapes as I’d listen on the radio. I collected tapes of my favorite bands until I could afford a CD player, and then CD’s became my medium of choice. It wasn’t until a friend sent me a few 7″ singles that I truly go into vinyl records.
Digging for vinyl while record shopping has been my obsession ever since.
I’m too young for 8-track but old enough to remember when digital music could only be found on CD’s and not by the thousand on a device smaller than a matchbook so it came as a surprise when vinyl records started becoming mainstream again. Indie and DIY labels have always held on to this format which some would passionately argue is sonically better than anything digitally released.
Personally it’s the overall tactile experience of listening to and purchasing vinyl records which does it for me. Fortunately for myself and other vinyl (and non vinyl) afficionados Richmond has plenty of places to go record shopping.
My Favorite Places To Go Record Shopping In RVA
Deep Groove – 317 N. Robinson St. – the Fan
This is probably my favorite place to dig for vinyl. This works out perfectly because you won’t find CD’s or tapes here. It’s strictly vinyl only in Deep Groove.The store itself is really small which lends a nice cozy atmosphere and gets you elbow to elbow with other people record shopping.
Their new vinyl selection is extremely varied and seems to rotate pretty frequently. You can find everything from Adele’s latest album to re-released Dead Kennedy’s LP’s, not to mention a great international and jazz collection.
For me their used section is hit or miss and I haven’t found too many steals there. Most of the popular used records are priced higher than I’d prefer to pay, but if you see something you want it’s best to jump on it because someone else will snatch it up, I lost out on a copy of the Rolling Stones’ album Hot Rocks by hesitating on the purchase a few days.
They also sell turntables, vinyl cleaning kits and slip mats.
Plan 9 – 3017 W. Cary St. – Carytown
When I first moved to Richmond this was THE used place to go record shopping. It used to be housed in the building in Carytown that now contains the Mellow Mushroom and had a gigantic first floor and a basement area, they even used to host shows on a stage in the rear. Plan 9 is now located in a smaller but still spacious location closed to their old spot.
Their selection is split fairly evenly between CD’s and vinyl, and their used section is larger than their new. I like that they have all the brand new releases grouped in one bin so it’s easy to flip through quickly to find an album that just dropped.
I’m not a fan of the way their used section is organized, so it can take awhile to try to locate something you’re looking for.
Aside from music they also sell t-shirts, stickers, record players, books and t-shirts.
Steady Sounds – 322 W. Broad St. – Downtown
I’ve only recently started record shopping at Steady Sounds and I’ve definitely been missing out. Though it’s located on a section of Broad St that doesn’t seem to get tons of foot traffic it seems to be pretty busy every time I’ve been in there. The place is positively packed with vinyl.
The new record selection is fairly small in comparison with some of the other stores, but their used section is MASSIVE with bins both downstairs and upstairs, it’s very well organized and prices for used records (even popular ones) are very reasonable.
This spot is not one to skip if you’re spending a day buying music. I got Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’ for $5 in good condition and a new copy of a Mac DeMarco LP that none of the other stores had.
They share their store space with Blue Bones, which clothing and a variety of other quirky bits and pieces to spice up your wardrobe.
Vinyl Conflict – 324 S. Pine St. – Oregon Hill
If you’re looking for the highest concentration of punk rock, metal, hardcore and DIY label release there’s no one else that compares. The shop is a smallish building on a quiet street in Oregon Hill. They’ve got CD’s as well as a ton of vinyl, both LP’s and 7″s, and they also have a small zine section.
Honestly I never felt more out of the loop with a genre I used to be incredibly passionate about than after stopping into Vinyl Conflict. Their selection is overwhelming if you are just browsing and because of how many subgenres are covered here, it’s easy to get lost.
That being said the staff seemed really friendly so if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for I’m sure they’d be more than happy to make recommendations.
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I did pop in quickly to do some record shopping on Southside at BK Music which is at 2833 Hathaway Rd, and I also stopped at the newest addition to the up and coming Scott’s Addition neighborhood where Wax Moon, located at 3100 W Leigh St, has been open for a couple of months now.
The selection at BK is all over the place and I’m looking forward to going back and digging a lot deeper, Wax Moon currently seems to focus more on the goth/metal/punk genre. I walked out of there with a couple of great LP’s so I’m looking forward to seeing the genres and collection expand.
I feel lucky to live in a city with so many options for record shopping. Having no less than six record shops within a 10 minute drive of my house is both a blessing and a curse. Those of you with the vinyl addiction will understand, those that don’t maybe never will.
So check them out, shop local and support your small independent record stores!! If I’ve overlooked any shops that need to be mentioned, please let me know in the comments where you like record shopping.
