Independent record stores are the kind of places you can happily get lost in. They’re where creativity thrives: genres from across the world sit side by side, rare recordings wait to be discovered among the racks and the staff are as passionate about music as you are. Each one offers something different – you can discover a lot about a place by the music it curates and celebrates.
Below, Dua shares her latest Google Maps list, which is full of the record stores she returns to again and again, as well as the ones she discovered while travelling, which became something of a ritual while on tour for Radical Optimism.
Kontra Plak, Istanbul
Kontra Plak has been a fixture of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district since 2012, offering a selection that runs from rock to jazz to electronica and Turkish pressings. It feels like an education as much as a record shop.
Pet Sounds, Stockholm
Pet Sounds in Stockholm has been going since 1979. The selection spans new and second-hand vinyl across genres, and the staff know the stock well enough to point you somewhere you might not have known you wanted to go.
Tropicall Records, Brussels
Tropicall focuses on tropical, African and world music, and the collection is unlike any other shop I’ve been to. The knowledge behind the selection matches that of those behind the counter – what you can find there is pretty special.
Amor Records, Lisbon
Amor Records in Lisbon is a great one. The selection skews towards Portuguese and European music from the ’60s through to the ’90s and the selection feels thoughtful instead of comprehensive. Which really works for this small shop.
Tropicália Discos, Rio de Janeiro
Tropicália Discos in Rio is a beautiful little record shop that understands Brazilian music across all its forms – samba, MPB, bossa nova, rare pressings you can’t find online. It’s the kind of shop that makes me feel grateful vinyl survived.
Hard Wax, Berlin
Hard Wax in Berlin is the definitive electronic music record shop and has been since Mark Ernestus opened it in 1989 – the same year the Wall came down. Dub techno, house, jungle – all of it in one room and the team know what’s in every crate.
Amoeba Music, Los Angeles
Amoeba in Hollywood is enormous. The depth and range of the collection is staggering – I could spend an entire day there without covering everything.
Rockers International Records, Kingston
Rockers International in Kingston is reggae history in a physical space. The selection goes deep into roots and dancehall and stepping inside feels like being at the source.
Plug Seven Records, Melbourne
Plug Seven record shop in Melbourne is one of my favourite places for vinyl, thanks to an eclectic selection and strong run of 7-inches as collectibles. The team are often buying up rare collections, too, so the stock keeps turning over.
Rough Trade East, London
Rough Trade East on Brick Lane in East London has stayed close to what made it matter originally. It stills breaks new music, has an incredible live programme and stocks both new and archival releases. I’ve been going for years.
La Roma Records, Mexico City
La Roma Records is tucked into the Roma neighbourhood in Mexico City. The focus is Mexican and Latin American records and the team there can talk you through what’s on the shelves.
Tower Records Shibuya, Tokyo
Tower Records in Tokyo is still one of the most exciting record shopping experiences I’ve had. The selection across every genre is extraordinary and you will find things there that you simply cannot find anywhere else. I always come out with too much to carry.
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