February 29, 2008
The State of D.C.'s Indie Record Stores
It isn't easy being indie. Over the past few years, digital downloads, big box stores, and high rent prices in the District have forced several of the city's independent record stores to go out of business. Revolution Records in Van Ness shut down in 2006, hoping to move to a better location, the popular DC CD on 18th St. closed its doors several years ago, and Georgetown's Yoshitoshi, a record label and shop that specializes in dance music, made the switch over to a purely online business. New stores seem to pop up every now and then, but keeping track of all the changes and locations is a difficult task in itself. So we decided to map out the stores (within D.C.'s borders) that we know are still up and running, and ask them why they think they can survive in today's digital world. We got a variety of responses, including the increased popularity of vinyl, a hard to find stock of used albums, and a knowledgeable staff. And some, like DJ Hut, will soon be embracing change by incorporating digital in-store downloads.
Click on the screen below to view an interactive map of the record stores, complete with video interviews with owners and employees as well as photos and links to their websites.
|
Nice job on the interactive thing. Very cool.
This is awesome, thanks.
This is truly useful! Thank you. I learned about a couple of shops I didn't know existed.
Your link for CD Game Exchange is wrong. It should be:
http://www.cdgamexchange.com/
You forgot iHipHop records on Georgia Ave around about Park View area. http://ihiphopmusic.com/ihiphopmusic/
You forgot iHipHop records on Georgia Ave around about Park View area. http://ihiphopmusic.com/ihiphopmusic/
Yes, nice job DCist!
It's about time others joined the bandwagon. We're cheerleading daily:
http://vinyldistrict.blogspot.com/
Is iHipHop still around? I thought the joint was closed.
--cam
http://www.dontsleepdc.com
Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think Melody even sells any vinyl. I remember thinking the name was kinda a ripoff after I stepped inside..
Krisa, they opened in 1976. Should they have been required to change their name when media started to change?
Melody's not perfect, and it always kinda smells like they haven't changed the filter in the air conditioner recently enough in there, but I'd say it's by far the most comprehensive independent music store in the city across multiple categories, including classical, international and independent pop/rock. Their prices are surprisingly good, too, in comparison to mall and MegaBookStore CD prices. I miss hunting for used CDs at the old Dupont Kemp Mill, but their selection of new stuff couldn't hold a candle to Melody's, and all of the Olsson's branches are better at books than music.
I agree 100% with everything Nate said about Melody.
It's the only music store I've ever actually become attached to.
Great feature! Well done.
Oh, also Crooked Beat in Adams Morgan...
While it's not technically in DC, Orpheus in Clarendon has long been one of my favorite record stores.
Also, great feature.