For De Record...

I am a music lover to the point where it impacts others.

I was at a Halloween party this past weekend and I just happened to find myself conveniently located next to the iPod for the better part of the evening. I’m sure it’s partially because I’m a sucker for a good soundtrack but I really think it’s more because I like hearing new stuff. A week without a new album for me is a week where my mp3 player feels like more of a hassle than a necessity.

I like all kinds of music and this city has never had a problem facilitating my search for an album worthy of purchase. Sonic Boom, Rotate This, and Soundscapes are all out there to satisfy your indie needs and even the HMV on Yonge has a solid staff and critically acclaimed section.

But if you’re like me and you also like hip hop, you’re extremely thankful for a place like Play De Record.

A sign with a giant record and enough letters to constitute an eye chart would normally standout a little bit. But when you’re wedged into a thin space between the Zanzibar (photo op did not lend itself for this story) and an even bigger sign for one of those money lending companies with a witty name like “Cash Money”, it’s tough to stand out.

Get used to that cramped feeling. The whole place is pretty narrow with limited room for movement but with so much good stuff crammed into the many bins and hanging off the walls, no one ever seems all that focused or interested in moving too quickly.

The first things that catches my eye just before I go into Play De Record are the t-shirts in the window. I’ve bought very little “band swag” in my life but these shirts always seem to be calling me as they feature the colourful logos and artwork of some of my favorite musicians.

Every time I’m convinced I’m going to buy one, I step inside and take a few steps down the narrow path towards racks where the t-shirts hang. Every time my dreams get dashed as I’m forced to consider if I’m going to willingly pay for an extremely oversized shirt for the first time since grade 10. Every time I tell myself I’ll get one next time.

My usual shopping area is next up. The listening station is one of the smarter things that music stores do and Play De Record always manages to highlight rare, underrated and unappreciated albums that warrant a listen. I’m usually buying cd’s from here or the nearby bins with older titles.

It’s towards the back of the store that I always find the most fascinating and also the place I have no business being near. Some of the vinyl connoisseurs show the manual dexterity of a stenographer as they flip through hundreds of cardboard covers. Others are looking for a new set of headphones or turntables in their continued pursuit of quality sound. Many choose to nod their head to the in-house jam being spun by the store employee in the corner while even more choose to dictate their own soundtrack for their shopping experience. My kind of people.

One day when I’m wealthy enough to drop scogs of cash on audio equipment, I’ll be back there, flipping through stacks of vinyl in search of original pressings. For now, I’m content to just sit and watch these fellow lovers of catchy samples, heavy beats, and smart lyrics find ammo to feed the masses in a club or on a radio station near you.

In the just over 12 months I've lived here, I've been amazed to find so many great stores, restaurants and venues located within blocks of my apartment. But while so many of these places seem like luxuries, Play De Record is an essential service and my favourite music store in my neighbourhood.