Ask DCist: Must ... Find ... Music
I'm surprised this hasn't been asked or covered yet on DCist: What are some good record stores in DC? (of the independent, non-Tower types) ARE there any?
We hear a lot of woe regarding D.C. record stores, and yes, compared to other major metropolitan areas, we don't have too many stores offering selections a little left (or right) of mainstream. Many of us cope online, but sometimes tangibility is a must and sites like Insound lack the personal and interactive knowledge that many times comes with a brick and mortar store. Ah, where is John Cusack when you need him.
However, Ask DCist tried mightily to come up with a list of places you can check out in the D.C. area (and beyond if you are a road tripper). As always, we encourage readers to leave further suggestions in the comments. We know we've missed a few good gems.
Smash Records (3285 1/2 M St. NW – Georgetown) specializes in punk, alternative, gothic, industrial, ska, and rock and roll CDs, LPs and 7"s. We've heard that some people consider Smash too popular to be good, but we would really like to remind everyone that popularity = sales and sales = STAYING OPEN, which seems to be key in the D.C. area for record stores. If they have the music you seek, they are worthwhile.
Capitol City Records (1020 U St. NW) offers hip hop, drum and bass, and assorted dance music (their website is really barebones and leaves marketing at the door). They also host some in-store performances (as does Revolution Records at 4521 Connecticut Ave. NW), but the only listing we could find was from Post's GOG blog.
CDepot in College Park (9039 Baltimore Ave.) might not have vinyl, but it offers over 100,000 new and used CDs.
Our fellow bloggers, some even DJs, also offer good tips from time to time.
DCeiver suggests
- Crooked Beat Records (2318 18th St. NW – Adams Morgan) Went for the first time two weekends ago and thought it very nice indeed. It has a great collection of new and used, copious vinyl, love for the locals, merchants who know about music (dude who was there was telling me stories of live seeing Replacements live in Minneapolis)
- And Orpheus Records in Arlington (3173 Wilson Blvd. - Clarendon) Vinyl paradise. And if you just sort of stand there and pretend, you can fool yourself into thinking you're at a Kemp Mill, circa 1987.
DCSOB just gave props on Monday to Joe's Record Paradise, which has a branch in Rockville. If you are willing to venture further afield, you could drop by their outlet on Harford Road in Parkville (Baltimore). In fact, this site lists independent music stores throughout the mid-Atlantic. The list is a little dated (Crooked Beat has moved, DCCD is closed, etc.) but it points you in the right directions.
OK, give it up. Where do you buy your music?