London Music Shops: The Search for The Sounds & The Scene

For the past four years I have spent close to every Friday night at my fave local Sydney Australia record shop, Mojo Music. At Mojo they serve up "The Best of the Fringe and All of the Backbone".

I have written many posts about that joint and why I loved it so much. It is unlike any retail shop that you will walk into. Have a read of any of these links below if you haven't been keeping up with the Mojo happenings on The 6149.

Images from the Mojo Scene:

Now that I moved to London I need a new place to talk, listen and buy music. But where am I going to find a shop that has an owner who cares so much about keeping The Feel alive? It wasn't just about buying music. No, it was about experiencing it in the shop with like minded musicheads in a place where you could throw back a dozen beers and that felt like you were in your own living room. Tough...impossible?...act to follow.

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London has a lot to offer in the way of a record shop vibe. Which London record shop has the right combination of Sounds & Scene to fill the Mojo void left behind...? I aim to search high and low to find the right shop for me.

This list has no room on it for the big chain stores. This list is as much about feel as it is sound. Chain stores don't have The Feel. Independent music stores do. This list is all about the independent shops.

This is a map of suggested independent record shops throughout London (new & used). I'm going to hit the trail and find the right one to make my music nerve centre. If any 6149 readers know of any other London record shops that are not on this list that should be, drop a comment in the box and I will add it on. Likewise, if you have any firsthand thoughts on any of the shops on the list, hit the box with a few words.

I reckon that the first shop I walk into and has the Bo Diddley beat playing is an automatic winner...

Map Link: London Music Shops: The Search for the Sounds & the Scene

Go to the map in your browser for a closer look. You can get shop info and links to their sites.

View Larger Map

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Posted by Judd

Sep 14, 2009

Kip said...

A seriously well researched list, Judd! But as you point point out, I'm sure there are some other obscure shops if you happen to venture down the right worm hole. I sniffed-out this one to add to your Notting Hill list:

Minus Zero
Rare Collectable and New Records From The 60's to Now. Specializing in Classic 60's, Beatles, Dylan, Stones, etc. Psychedelia, Rock, Folk,
Rare New Wave & Punk, Power Pop, Alt. Country, Americana and R.E.M.
CDs & Vinyl, LPs, 45s, Foreign Picture Sleeves, Magazines, Posters and Memorabilia.
http://www.minuszerorecords.com/the%20shop.html

A good reason to drop-by the always funky Portobello Road in Notting Hill.

Judd said...

Kipster: thx for the addition to the list. I have updated the map with your spot on suggestion. Also, I made my first purchase with the Rough Trade gift certificates you so passed on to me. Look for a post soon on that with a hat tip to you...

Noteworthy from the shop blurb:
Please note:
There are two record shops at 2 Blenheim Crescent. It looks like one shop but is in fact split right down the middle. Minus Zero is on the left hand side when you enter. Please ask for Bill Forsyth.

Apparently, Minus Zero was owned by two men who then fell out. Consequently they own half the shop each and, allegedly, have a curtain pulled across the half that was closed if only one of them turned up to work.

Mojo Nev has a similar story in his retail past, right?

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