Year 2 medical student Cassidy, takes us along on her voyage to discover some of Edinburgh’s finest records stores and what they have to offer dedicated vinyl fans and casual browsers alike.
I imagine waking up at an unearthly early time (6am) to stand in the streets of Newcastle for hours on end in ridiculously slow-moving queues, doesn’t seem like the most enticing way to be introduced to the world of vinyl. At first glance, Record Store Day seems like way too much effort, so why would it be the beginning of my own interest in starting my collection?
My dad’s own passion for collecting records entirely inspired my own. He began his collection when he was 16, with Anthrax’s single “Make Me Laugh”, back when only vinyls and cassettes were available. His excitement and anticipation leading up to each Record Store Day, hoping to buy previously unreleased music from his favourite artists that are strictly limited in number, fostered my own excitement for the day. So when he invited me along with him and a couple of his work friends, my interest was piqued sufficiently to agree (and when a free lunch out was offered, how could I say no?)
As a self-admitted amateur when it comes to Edinburgh’s record stores, I believed it was a good time to educate myself. After much research of the array of record stores in Edinburgh, I narrowed down my journey to four prominent and exciting shops, each focusing on different, unique genres.
Avalanche Records, Waverley Mall
First on my journey, was a store famous among locals. Offering new and second-hand vinyls, as well as CDs, prints and an incredible array of t-shirts; Avalanche Records is a warm, intimate shop, appearing almost museum-like with its dedication to indie music. Tucked away in Waverley Station, their content appeared to be mostly independent music and Scottish artists. The support for local artists really resonated with me, being something that didn’t appear to be a key focus of other stores I visited.
Having previously stated in their blog that they are “not a shop that has new favourite bands every week”, it is evident that they may have slightly changed their stance on this, having a section dedicated to new release pop albums, but they do still have a clear focus on older releases. Whilst visiting, I also noticed that most of their new vinyls appeared to be around £5-10 cheaper than I had seen previously in chain record stores, making Avalanche Records a definite contender for those just beginning their record collection!
Top Pick: Fleetwood Mac – Before the Beginning Vol 2: Live and Demo Sessions 1970 (at a very affordable price)
FOPP, Shandwick Place
Although part of a larger chain, FOPP still maintains that independent shop feel. The layout of the store invites exploration, perfect for both dedicated vinyl hunters and casual browsers. Staff picks and special offers add a personal touch to the shopping experience. Showcasing a blend of mainstream and indie vinyl, and a wide range of CDs, books and film selections on offer, the store is known for its affordability, making it easy to start or expand a collection on a budget.
Top Pick: Green Day – Father of All (pressed on limited edition “cloudy” red vinyl) – this was immediately sent to my dad to check that he already had it (of course he already did).
Assai Records, Grindlay Street
Third on my journey was Assai Records. Very popular among locals, Assai Records is a staple local music scene. Eminently community-focused, this store seemingly always has an event lined up, be it an album release, signing or a live performance, it creates a vibrant community around the music scene in Edinburgh. In addition to vinyls, Assai Records stock a selection of merchandise and accessories. They are also known for selling exclusive and limited-edition vinyls, often collaborating with artists to stock exclusive coloured and signed vinyls, which are highly sought after by avid collectors.
Top Pick: Metallica – Hardwired… To Self-Destruct (pressed on limited edition flame orange vinyl) – also sent to my dad who hadn’t actually seen this before!
Umbrella Vinyl, Valleyfield Street
Finally was the shop with the most interesting backstory and curated collection. The three owners, Nick, Laura and Josh, met in Hong Kong. After bonding over their shared passion for eclectic music, the trio decided to open a record store, having all moved to Edinburgh. In discussions around how they could distinguish themselves from the rest of the market, they hoped to produce a unique shop which they themselves would be eager to explore.
With an accessible, open-plan layout, the store leaves lots of room to browse through the hand-picked selection of vinyls. Focusing on unique genres like jazz, blues, ska and reggae, Umbrella Vinyl stocks a vast range of music which stores typically would only dedicate a small section to. As the music stocked directly reflects each of the owners’ specific interests, you could enquire about any of the vinyls in-store, and at least one of the owners would be able to give an in-depth description of the music.
Their name and logo hold deep significance to the trio’s past. In Hong Kong, a yellow umbrella is a symbol of the protest movement. To protect themselves from the riot police’s pepper spray and tear gas, protesters held up these yellow umbrellas.
Promoting diversity, by ensuring that the music they stock is produced by artists from a broad range of different backgrounds, creates a welcoming atmosphere, attracting everyone from curious newcomers to seasoned collectors.
Top Pick: Mothra – Mothra (a vinyl produced by the owner’s record label in 2018!)
Conclusion
Edinburgh has a rich, eclectic music scene, with record stores being more than just a place to buy vinyls – but a hub for culture, history and community. Each shop has its own vibe and niche, from vintage vinyls to indie treasures.
In recent years, there has been a push for vinyl resurgence. I believe independent record stores and Record Store Day have both played a major role in this, reminding our digital generation of the tactile experience of vinyl and the importance of local music hubs. Edinburgh’s record stores have embraced this by offering both vintage records and new releases.
