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Earbender #10: Record Shops
Earbender: Miscellanea to Mend the Bend Williamsburg's North 6th Street and two of my most fav Record Shops
As I mourn the loss of my $3.99 bodega umbrella, which with a gust of Marcy Avenue wind last evening was changed from a circular canopy to a U, I am recovering. Ensconced. Entertained. Here is, in part, Billyburg, the home of the macrobiotic and Indie rock.
Sound Fix Records: 44 Berry St (between 12th St & 11th St) Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Once upon a time this place was almost utopian: had free shows! in an attached bar/cafe with friendly, knowledgeable staff who have since moved on to some pretty amazing things. If you went intent on scavenging an album, you might end up having a satisfying conversation with Fred Thomas (of the bands City Center, Saturday Looks Good to Me, and Swimsuit,) or artist Steven Reker (of People Get Ready, etc).
At a performance, you might have seen Doug Martsch or Will Sheff (or would it be John Darnielle?) play the out-of-tune upright house piano, which would be quite surreal because you'd be quite muddled by drink; and to be honest some of the folky singy songs, which referenced every course you registered for during your liberal arts degree, would be just a tad bit too much for your restlessness.
Now, since they're relocation about a block away and around the corner, Sound Fix is just a damn fine record store that (occasionally) offers free in-stores, new and used vinyl and CDs. And you never know just who you might meet. Just don't ask for any Barbara Streisand- you might get a detached eye-roll.
Academy Records Annex: 96 North 6th St (between Berry and Wythe) Brooklyn, NY 11211. Open noon to nine.
A second location for Manhattan's music collector haven, Academy Records & CDs at 12 West 18th Street. Whether you're browsing, buying, or selling, you'll be sure to find a gem here, just one stop over the river off the L train. And if for some reason you can't muster up the inner pleasure of finger walking through their live collection, the Annex has an online LP Catalog for your perusal.
But then you'd miss out on taking the walk down North 6th from Bedford to the river, and see what the other over aged, underweight hipsters with or without strollers are doing: buying new and second-hand child paraphernalia at Flying Squirrel, locally-owned, community-loved kid's shop. Then go ahead and pick up some produce (and organic chocolate) at Tops on the Waterfront grocery store, browse shiny pants and wrap-around scarves at American Apparel. Then sit on a bar stool and laugh about how awesome you are over a reasonably priced drink at the best (least pretentious) bar on the block, Zablowski's. Jeez. You can even take the N. 6th East River Ferry back to Manhattan, if you care to leave at that point. On this street, if you don't smoke, just look like you do and no one will bother you.
Winter's around the corner. My solace in this time of bad humor involves (in part) these places, ideas and people. Check them one of these days.
Later.
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