Vinyl Records are having a comeback moment! Browsing through records, choosing an album, and sitting down to listen all the way through is part of the appeal once again!
The 1970’s was the peak age for vinyl, then came cassettes, CDs and MP3s. Vinyl nearly disappeared, flirting with 8-track obscurity.
Then something flipped.
After the launch of Record Store Day, in 2008, sales of LPs began to steadily rise.
Now there’s another resurgence thanks to Gen-Z who are finding a renewed interest in all things nostalgic and tactile: flipping through crates, choosing an album on purpose, and actually listening all the way through.
I see it firsthand. My 14-year-old daughter and her friends happily spend hours browsing through stacks of records and purchasing a physical album. The ritual of listening to it on a player has become a meaningful way to enjoy music.
Bonus: The cover becomes wall art. Sometimes there’s bonus merch tucked inside.
We visited several independently owned records stores here in South OC and found a few favorites.
1. Moldy Toes Records in San Clemente hits all the right notes. This store is highly organized and has a wide selection of both new and used records along with CDs, cassettes, and a variety of turntable options for purchase. They also have cool patches and stickers for sale. Each time we visited we found something we wanted.
2. Blind Dog Hi-Fi & Records in Costa Mesa offers a new location with a neighborhood feel. It is nicely organized with a decent variety including vintage and special editions. They also offer record cleaning and flattening services for warped records! They will also buy or trade your unwanted records.
3. Sound Spectrum in Laguna Beach has been spinning records since 1967 and can claim the title of the oldest record store in Orange County! It reopened last year under new ownership determined to keep the music alive for the community. Along with friendly staff, we also liked the store because it has a cool selection of posters and other merch.
4. Port of Sound in Costa Mesa has a wide variety, easy parking and has online purchasing option.
Creme Tangerine in Costa Mesa is in a vintage Airstream!
5. Creme Tangerine located in The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa is a record store designed in a vintage Airstream trailer! They will also buy used records, other unwanted formats, and related equipment.
This year’s Record Store Day is April 18th- contact stores directly to find out if and how they are participating.
Do you have a favorite record store not highlighted here? Let us know and we will be sure to check it out!