Five Independent Record Stores That Keep The Culture Alive

By Seb Gorlov, Kyla Lemeiux, Kayla Harper,  Aiden Richards and Lex Robbins

 

Introduction – Turn It Up! Records and Hi-Fi

By Kayla Harper

To many collectors, Record Store Day is about exclusive titles, lining up early, spending money…for me, it’s about what it always has been: celebrating independent record stores and the culture they keep alive.  Each one builds its own atmosphere, tailors its own niche selection, and creates an environment to foster connections and discoveries. We have many stores in Calgary,  I might be slightly biased, but my favourite has always been Turn It Up! Records and Hi-Fi. Long before I started working here, I was a dedicated customer, connecting with the staff when I’d visit, discovering something new. However, I didn’t realize the way I would become a part of this place and the way it would become a part of me; a home.

When I first started at Turn It Up! the owner, Gerry, told me once that the Turn It Up! team was like a family –he was absolutely right. Although the team we have now is completely different than when I started three years ago, they make a job not feel like work. The way we can effectively function without having to communicate, getting things done while also having time to joke around, exchange knowledge and music and most of all help our customers to have the best experience and feel as comfortable in our store as we do, it just works! Of course, I don’t always want to go to work when I get up in the morning, but by the time I’m there, I’m happy and grateful.

Music has always been something I’ve lived and breathed. It’s my escape, my place to process, etc. However, it’s become that on a way deeper level at Turn It Up! I get to explore and learn all genres, discovering something new almost daily, connecting with strangers over an album we both love- nothing creates a more instantaneous bond than shared music, the vulnerability that can instantly be understood and exposed simply by the music you like.

This year we moved stores, which was a ton of work, but extremely rewarding. I’ve never seen a record store so nice; with high ceilings, marble floors, music memorabilia covering every square-inch. We get lots of compliments, I even catch myself looking around still, after five months, awestruck –sometimes I forget it’s this beautiful because of us; our team, we did this.

We designed the layout, hauled every single record from the old store, cleaned, graded, priced, filed them, Gerry and his daughter meticulously placed each frame on the walls…we got to start fresh and create this space and make it ours; I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.

Despite all of that, I still don’t think it’s the space that makes the Turn It Up! atmosphere as special as it is, it’s the people and our team that create that atmosphere and make Turn It Up! a space anyone who loves music can go to embrace it, discover new music, talk music, build connections, or just hangout. Over three years later this team has become family and this place has never felt more like home, happy Record Store Day to all who celebrate, but most of all, to Turn It Up! Records and Hi-Fi.

A Jewel in England’s Music Scene: Banquet Records Profile

By Seb Gorlov 

To celebrate World Record Store Day, it only feels right to shine some light on a very special store with a fantastic legacy and exactly what makes it so great.

Banquet Records is based in Kingston upon-Thames, England. It is a must visit for any music fans visiting the lovely area. The shop has a plethora of incredible records for sale, including the latest releases like hard hitting DON BROCO album Nightmare Tripping (March 27, 2026) and extremely popular Harry Styles album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally (March 6, 2026). There are also older records such as Romance (August 23, 2024) by the stellar Fontaines D.C., and Beach House classic Depression Cherry (August 28, 2015). The impressive collection of albums doesn’t just stop at indie, however. It spans across multiple genres, meaning there’s something for everyone.

In addition to this, that wide variety of genres is replicated in the form of live shows. Banquet Records was founded in 2005 and since its inception, there have been many unforgettable events across Kingston, with the majority taking place at a club called Circuit, formerly known as PRYZM. The venue is also highly recommended for its atmosphere, with a large hall that has great views regardless of whether you are on the floor or in the balcony area – although if you like being close to the action, the floor is very much recommended!

Some very famous artists have done shows at the club to promote fresh material. The extensive list includes heavy English rock band Royal Blood, the effervescent Wolf Alice, rising Irish popstar CMAT and recently, the Australian alternative icon Courtney Barnett, who was at the venue to play some tracks from her newest album Creature of Habit  (March 27, 2026).

The short setlists aren’t an issue either, as artists like to utilise their limited stage time as an opportunity to put some classics into their sets. Barnett played songs such as the high octane “Pedestrian At Best” during her event, whilst rock band Pale Waves, who came to Kingston whilst touring the release of their album Smitten (Sept. 27, 2024) closed their set with old fan favourite “Jealousy”.

In a hub of culture like Kingston upon-Thames, the joy of a live event that is overseen by Banquet Records is not to be understated. Even in the other non-traditional concert venues across Kingston, such as the Rose Theatre, the company has a habit of choosing the most renowned artists.

“In early 2020, more than 12,000 fans of grime star Stormzy attempted to get tickets for an intimate, 600-seat performance at the Rose. Tickets sold out in just 24 seconds.” (Wratten, MyLondon, 22.08.21)

There are some fantastic shows lined up for Banquet Records across multiple Kingston venues. Welsh metal band Skindred are set to perform at Circuit in just a few days before the fabulous Maisie Peters puts on a show to honour her new album Florescence (May 28, 2025) and new Brighton-based artist Opal Mag comes to the venue the following day (May 29, 2025).

Going to a concert or visiting the store to buy a record are both highly recommended if you’re ever in Kingston upon-Thames and hopefully Banquet Records continues to thrive for many years to come, as it is a jewel in England’s ever-growing music scene.

 

B-Side Records and Vintage: The Story Behind one of Oregon’s Most Unique Record Shops

By Kyla Lemieux

Every city has one or two major record stores that almost every local knows. But what many don’t see are the countless independent record stores in their community. These are the stores where the magic happens. Smaller local record stores are often the most personal, with curated experiences taking place inside them. Personally, I’ve got quite a few stores like this around me, but one stands out even more than the rest: B-Side Records and Vintage, which is one of the most unique shops I’ve ever been to.

Located in Milwaukie, Oregon, the store not only sells vinyl records but also a wide selection of vintage pieces, ranging from clothing to art and furniture. With the store’s primary audience being teens and young adults, it provides something reminiscent of past decades while still staying fresh to appeal to those in the community. Recently, I was lucky enough to interview the store’s two owners, whose story brought even more personality to an already vibrant shop.

Kyla: “Record Store Day is coming up this month. In what ways do you see your store benefit from Record Store Day?” 

A) “So, Record Store Day as an organization, kind of runs who gets to participate in Record Store Day and they created some new rules last year that said you must be open for one year before you’re allowed to actually even apply. There’s a lot of benefits that go with records that we are unable to get, unfortunately. But we are going to do it our way where we still want to promote all of our local bands and artists that we have. We’re going to have a show that the night before, we’ve got some local artists coming in and I think even on Record Store Day, we’re going to be having some live music as well” (B-Side Records and Vintage).

Kyla: “As someone who sells physical music every day, do you see one genre/artist that’s extremely prevalent in your sales? Or do you see a pretty equal mixture?”

A) “I think it depends. The big one is Fleetwood Mac, and other classics like Pink Floyd, The Beatles sell a lot. As far as new stuff, it’s hard to be on the cutting edge of what’s new all the time. We don’t really get a ton of brand new releases. It’ll be re-releases of stuff from the 90s that weren’t around for a while.  It’s definitely all the good classic music that everybody loves, that never goes out of style. People are looking for deep cuts, things that are really unique. They’re building out their musical collection in a really meaningful way. I also see youth who are building out their musical collections for the first time. It’s so amazing to see them coming in with recommendations and bands that they know need to be part of their core collection. It’s fun seeing youth coming in, asking for the stuff that we listen to at that same age” (B-Side Records and Vintage).

Kyla: “What inspired you to open a record store, and how did you get the idea to merge it with a vintage store?”

A) “When I was young, I would go to the record store every Friday because that was when the releases came out. The owner realized that, and then he recognized me when I walked in and would make recommendations or say, “hey, I got this CD from a label.” Having that relationship with him was really neat and really novel, especially for the mid 90s. And I wanted to be that guy, to be able to make a mark on somebody who’s young and just discovering music. And the reason why we merged it with vintage is because it’s all kind of related. It’s a way to revisit a simpler time. People walk in and they see things that they saw in their grandparents’ home, and it reminds them of something warm, something cozy. They just want to have that peace because it’s so chaotic out there right now that any little thing can really ground you” (B-Side Records and Vintage).

Kyla:  “In what ways do you think having a record store positively influences the community?”

A) “Technology has advanced so exponentially in the last couple of decades, I think we’ve forgotten how to slow things down, as people, as a culture, and there’s a period of time that we’re living through right now that requires really intentional, reflective thought and decisions. And we’re not seeing that at a federal level. We were seeing how disconnected we were in our community and in our relationships and we wanted to change that. We felt like this was our rebellion. It’s our revolution to do this, because it’s really important right now to connect with people in the community, learn from each other, and slow things down. So, the whole point of our space is to make sure that you can slow life down a little bit and identify the things that are most meaningful to you” (B-Side Records and Vintage).

Kyla: “What do you do to keep your store relevant and unique from other stores?” 

A) “I think the part that sets our record store apart is that it’s really curated. It’s not every new release. It’s not just a big dump of vinyl that is in bad condition. We go through every record that we get in to clean them and grade them, so everything that’s used has been touched by our hands before it even hits the racks. Aside from the cleaning, we grade everything and put that on the price tag so people know exactly what they’re getting. It’s not going to surprise them with a scratched up record. I think that something else kind of special about our shop is that even though there are four different rooms, each room has its own personality. We also do a lot of community events and a lot of mutual aid events here. I don’t actually want to be unique in that. I want to see more record stores doing that. I want to see communities connecting and supporting their local music scene, and to have more places for artists to perform, because that is the raw expression that we really need right now in the world” (B-Side Reocords anad Vintage).

 

Whether you prefer vinyl records, antique pieces, or a community open mic, B-Side Records and Vintage is the place for just about everything and everyone. With a unique personality in each one of the store’s four rooms, stopping in B-Side is more than just a shopping trip; it’s a full experience. If you live in Oregon or are planning on being there anytime soon, make sure to stop by B-Side Records and Vintage. No matter what you’re interested in, I assure you there’s something there for you – and I assure you that it’s worth the visit.

 

A Love Letter to Candi Warhols and the Magic of Independent Record Stores

By Lex Robbins

With Record Store Day 2026 right around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about the spaces that make record collecting feel the way it does. Spaces that bring the excitement, the unpredictability, the connection, and the immersiveness. All of this starts in places that care about music in ways beyond just selling it. For me, one of those places is Candi Warhols, an independent record store located in the heart of downtown Covington, GA.

Every time I visit Covington for some much-needed downtime, Candi Warhols is always one of my first stops. The selection of music here is one of my favorites I’ve ever seen. I’ve come across records here that I rarely see elsewhere. When I walk in, I always know that I’m walking out with a cool find, whether it’s a beautiful pressing of a longtime favorite or something completely new that spoke to me. The shop also carries band tees, skateboards, and other small gems handmade by the owner. All of this on top of being located in the iconic Covington town square, you truly feel like you’ve stepped into something from a movie scene.

I feel like I can’t emphasize enough how independent record stores like Candi Warhols are the places that breathe life into the vinyl community. They shape how we discover and experience music, how collections grow over time, and how stories and memories get attached to what we listen to. Sure, you can have a record delivered to you from Amazon in a few days, but there’s no experience with that. There’s no magic; there’s just instant gratification.

Without independent stores, record collecting starts to lose the sense of magic and wonder that makes it special in the first place. Supporting them, this Record Store Day and beyond, means keeping that experience alive. In a world that is becoming more digital by the day, I encourage you to visit a brick-and-mortar store, listen to a physical copy of an album, and return to the tangible aspects that make us human.

The Day Music Truly Became Physical: Amoeba Records

By Aiden Richards 

I love record stores –I mean, how can you not– the vibe and atmosphere created by so many genres blending together, and the overall joy of seeing so many records and CDs. However, only one record store has ever made me feel overwhelmed in such a positive way and that’s Amoeba Music Hollywood.

I’ve only been to Amoeba once but somehow, it doesn’t feel like just once. It feels like one of those places that sticks to you, like a song you didn’t expect to love, but end up carrying everywhere. I remember walking in and not really knowing where to start. It wasn’t overwhelming in a bad way, it was overwhelming in the way the ocean is; Endless, a little intimidating, but kind of beautiful at the same time. Rows of records stretched further than I could take in at once, and for a second, I just stood there. Not even moving. Just taking it in. I’d never seen music like that before,not on that scale at least, not like something you could walk through.

I didn’t have a plan. I wasn’t hunting for anything specific. I just started flipping through bins, one after another, letting the covers catch my attention. Some I recognized as  albums that already meant something to me. Others felt like quiet invitations. I’d pull them out, turn them over, read the back like I was trying to understand a story before hearing it.

At some point in that, I realized something: this was the opposite of how I usually experience music. No skipping. No playlists. No algorithm trying to guess who I am. Even the record store  back home felt completely different than this felt. This felt like home. Like a home that I never knew I needed.  Just me, standing there, unable to process what I was seeing. What made it feel even more real was everyone else around me. People completely in their own worlds, but somehow still part of the same moment.

Someone a few feet away got excited over a record like they’d just found something they thought was gone forever. Another person was carefully inspecting the vinyl  like it was fragile history. No one rushed. No one treated it like just another store, it  felt… respected. What stayed with me the most isn’t  the records, or even what I bought, but the feeling that music still has a place where it’s treated like something important. Like something worth slowing down for. I didn’t grow up digging through crates or collecting records my whole life. I don’t have years of stories tied to places like that. But for that one time, I felt like I understood it. Like I was part of something bigger than just listening. Even now, looking back, it doesn’t feel like I just visited Amoeba,  it feels like I experienced it. It would be a dream to go back again someday.