Every song is just a phone tap away these days, but there was a time when discovering new music meant spending an afternoon at your local record store. While the way we listen to music has changed, independent record stores across the South are still going strong. Some are known for walls of vintage 45s, others for rare soul and jazz records, and many have become neighborhood hangouts with live performances, listening parties, and album-release events. Whether you’re a longtime collector or simply love poking around a good record store, these are the standout shops in every Southern state.
Harvest Records
Asheville, North Carolina
More than just a retailer, Harvest Records has earned its reputation as an incubator for the arts. Matt Schnable and Mark Capon founded the beloved West Asheville institution in the summer of 2004, and they’ve upheld that creative streak ever since. Complementing a vast assortment of new and used albums, the space also hosts art openings, listening parties, and the occasional in-store performance. This community-minded approach has helped the owners maintain strong ties with their distributors, allowing them to keep prices accessible for customers. For even better deals, stop by during August for their annual anniversary sale.
harvest-records.com; 415 Haywood Rd Ste B, Asheville, NC 28806; 828-258-2999
Breakaway Records
Austin, Texas…