Music has transformed over the years and so have the ways of listening to it. Yet vinyl has outlived the years; perhaps because of the nostalgic charm of experiencing an era bygone that has driven some to collect and preserve records.
If you are among those with a fancy for these antiques, head to these shops in the city that still sell these records.
Rams Musique
The moment you enter 60-year-old Ramachandran’s humble record shop on M G Road, you are taken back in time. One of the oldest music stores in the city, Rams Musique has been around for the last 38 years.
This place stocks records of legendary bands like Pink Floyd, Nirvana and Queen. They also have Hindustani and Carnatic classics. The store has a collection of over 2000 records. Back in the 90’s, Rams Musique was widely popular with sales over a 1000 records a day.
There were and people waiting in long queues whenever a new album released. Now the store sees a mere five to customers a day. But the owner who is lovingly called “Music Ram” is keen on keeping his identity. “People download their music these days. But I’m happy with what I do. Music lovers and friends I’ve known for years walk in all the time. I care for them and I care for music. Most customers spend hours in the store and we chat about old music and rock bands. It’s a way of life. So as long as I’m alive, I will run this store.”
Price range: Rs 800 and 1500
Address: No 28, 1st Floor, P U Building, M G Road.
Phone: 25594696.
Mahatobar Distribution
This store exclusively sells LPs of heavy metal bands and hard rock albums. It stocks 20 to 30 brand new records at any given point in time and does not sell second-hand ones. “Vinyl has a very small, loyal fans ensure that the physical format of music never dies”, says the 42-year-old owner Vikram Bhatt. Although LPs are not manufactured in India, Vikram imports the records within a week of placing the order through mail. He has set up a catalogue of over 2000 titles ranging from Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Rush to Prince.
Price range: Rs 1,500 and 10,000
Address: Shop No 19, ground floor, Public Utility Building, Ashok Nagar.
Phone: 9632038530
Calypso
For 19 years now, the store has been selling LPs and CDs. It has a collection of over 300 titles, mostly English albums imported from the US and Europe. Track records from retro Hindi films like Mughal-e-Azam and Jab Jab Phool Khile are also sold here. “There will always be a demand for the 70’s and 80’s classic rock music in the city”, said 47-year-old Vikas Chawla, the owner. He says there is a spike in business in the last five years.
Starting Price: Rs 1,500
Address: Vandana Shopping Arcade, 61/63 8th B main, 27th Cross, Jayanagar 4th Block. Phone: 4121 0889
Seetha Phone Company
This store was established in the pre-independence era. It started off with a collection of about 500 to 600 records in English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. The store sells working and non-working LPs, some vintage ceramic as well. “Although most of our customers are senior citizens, recently we’ve noticed that the youngsters between 20 and 30 years walk in to buy records. They buy the non-working ones to make artwork on or as gifts,” says Indrani, the granddaughter-in-law of DN Seetharama Setty, who set up the shop in 1924.
Price range: Rs 150 and 250
Address: 519, AVM Chambers Avenue Road, opposite Balaji Temple. Phone: 093413 08333
Blossoms Book House (new branch)
The new branch of this popular bookstore sells second-hand vinyl records given by collectors and customers. The store has over 700 to 1000 records, ranging from M S Subbulakshmi to Bob Dylan. Genres like jazz, rock, Carnatic, Bollywood, old Kannada and Tamil film songs are also available.
Fixed Price: Rs 300
Address: No 84/6, Church Street, opposite Amoeba.
Phone: 25559733