After a long void in the music industry, independent music is starting to regain some color. To support our thesis: the revival and enthusiasm for Parisian record stores. Vinyl records, 45s, reissues, dreamy discs, everyone is rushing to the bins to discover the gems from the past. Furthermore, for many artists, pressing on vinyl is a guarantee of quality and a renewed sense of respect, a collector's spirit far from iTunes libraries and Spotify premium accounts.
Passion for work, investment, local commerce, uniqueness... We are fully in line with what Le Bonbon loves and supports. It makes us wonder why we didn't make this top list before! Record stores play the role of intermediaries between artists and knowledgeable consumers. We visit them like old friends, we stroll around, we look, we listen, and above all: we follow the advice they give us! In the end, it's a bit like going to the butcher or the fishmonger. So let's fight for the preservation of the social fabric in our beautiful capital city.
So, here's something new for you. re selection of the best Parisian record stores. The list is not exhaustive, nor ranked, far from it, it is just based on the tastes and habits of Bonbon.
Musics Musics
Le Géo Trouvetou
"Before, it was a 'normal' store, but for a few years now, Musics Musics has become an exceptional place due to its increasingly refined selection!" a regular customer tells me. You can tell just by looking at the storefront. No new releases except for the latest Queens of the Stone Age. "I only select the GOOD new releases, not the rubbish," the owner tells me, whom we must address as "tu" or risk being sent to the music section of Carrefour. He is passionate about original pressings and imports. What may seem like snobbery is quickly justified.
Musics Musics
13, rue Gérondo - 75018 Tel: 09 53 53 48 40
From Monday aOn Saturdays from 2pm to 8pm
Fargo
The Label
Fargo, the Parisian boutique of the eponymous label, hits the bullseye just a stone's throw away from the Canal Saint Martin. With a meticulously designed storefront reminiscent of science fiction, this record store is resolutely rock and complete! They have music, US imports, t-shirts, a ticket office for rock concerts, posters, and various music-related books. From time to time, exhibitions or showcases delight regulars.
In terms of music, the record store veers from rock towards pop, folk, and new wave.
Fargo store
42 rue de la Folie-Méricourt, Paris 11 01 48 05 49 52
Ground Zero
Le Maître Pop
It's a bit of an UFO in the landscape, but one of the best in the capital. Ground Zero, launched in 2004, is an independent store originally supported by CALIF (Club Action of French Independent Labels), a sign of a coherent approach, a healthy spirit in an (not always?) healthy body. The vinyl selection is extensive, revolving around the work of small rock, pop, and electronic labels. Ground Zero skillfully navigates between current releases and vintage reissues. A success, described in more detail
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Ground Zero
23 rue Saint-Marthe, Paris 10 01 40 03 83 08
La Fabrique balades sonores
L'Hyperactif
Open since 2012, La Fabrique des Balades Sonores is dedicated to promoting and supporting independent music. They offer a wide selection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes from various genres. Their store in Paris, located at 23 rue Saint-Marthe, Paris 10 is a popular destination for music lovers. You can reach them at 01 40 03 83 08.
Born of the musical renewal of recent years. On the program, super sharp indie pop, folk, and electro music, with a genuinely avant-garde and talent-scouting approach. The place is lively, friendly, and also thrives by offering books, CDs, and clothes; a wonderful initiative!
1 avenue Trudaine, Paris 09
01 83 87 94 87
Exodisc
L'Hétéroclite
Distortion of space-time. We all know that feeling when immersed in personal fulfillment of research and a real discussion with passionate individuals. That is the case in this stronghold of the 18th arrondissement, which has been fighting fiercely against globalization for over 28 years!
In the midst of all this chaos, you'll find the best of black music, as well as small labels that deserve to be discovered, like a small vineyard brought back to life by a discerning nose. So, plan for more than just a quick visit to fully experience Exodisc in the best way possible.
70, rue du Mont-Cenis, Paris 18th arrondissement
Monster Melodies
The old one
It is often the prerogative of large institutions, quality and rarity go hand in hand with slightly overpriced prices! A labyrinthine shop awaits you, they are everywhere, from floor to ceiling, but everything is worthy of being framed! There are no limits in styles, most often on vinyl.
One of the oldest record stores in Paris (1985), which lives by the following principle: when you love something, you don't count!
9 rue des Déchargeurs, Paris 01
01 40 28 09 39
Super Fly Records
Le Groovy Style
Groovy style, the den of funk, deep soul, and jazz, Superfly Records is a pillar of black music. Fans of the genre come here like they would to a supermarket, ready to spend fortunes on reissues, perfectly crafted pressings, and other rough diamonds to be exploited. We can even name the king of the Tea Time, Gilles Peterson!
53, rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth, Paris 03
01 44 61 06 07
But what will you do with this compilation of good addresses if you don't have a vinyl record player, you might ask?! Well, that's what we're thinking at Le Bonbon. So stay tuned for our good advice on buying your vinyl record player!
© Jean Nicolas Meiffret
