Author: Dylan Bos-Dowlen
With locations in San Francisco, Berkeley and right in the heart of Hollywood, Amoeba Records is a store worth visiting. Amoeba is the largest independent record store in the world and what owner Mark Weinstein refers to as a “trading post for music.”
Weinstein took time out of his busy day to sit down with me to discuss his philosophy and his plans for Amoeba, stressing that the uniqueness of the store is that it offers people a “chance to experience a culture that is now on the wane, [in a way] that you cannot do online.”
Just walking up the stairs from the garage to the record store garners excitement for what is to come. One look around the store and any music lover’s breath will be taken away. The sheer amount of music at one’s fingertips could make anyone’s heart race beyond control. Discount CDs, unheard-of albums by favorite artists, beloved films and vinyls galore place music lovers in a warm, fuzzy embrace once they enter.
Amoeba will obviously never be able to keep up with iTunes in terms of volume of songs and ease of access. However, Amoeba makes up for these shortcomings by collecting out-of-the-ordinary albums that iTunes would probably never find, bringing these hidden gems to the forefront for music listeners of all levels to enjoy. Amoeba does all this at a very affordable price.
Many CDs are discounted even to as low as $1. Buying and selling thousands of records a day, Amoeba makes available music that you didn’t even know existed, let alone thought you would be able to acquire.
Another way Amoeba provides a unique experience is through the willingness of its music-aficionado employees to help average music listeners find exactly what they want in the store’s magnificent library.
Each of their employees seems to know more about the music scene than humanly possible. If an Amoebas employee does not know exactly what you are looking for, they will immediately recommend you to the employee who does. Amoeba prides itself on being a personal experience by, in Weinstein’s words, “taking music to a whole new level through allowing you to truly feel the passion behind the music.”
Another great aspect of Amoeba Records is that it serves as a venue for numerous live shows. Many free shows are held at Amoeba, and these shows don’t just feature struggling, local bands. Elvis Costello and Iggy Pop have both played at Amoeba in the past and Paul McCartney played there a year and a half ago.
Since it is such a small venue, many of the members of the audience are able to have personal interactions with bands that can provide life-long memories.
Because of all the great, intimate live shows that Amoeba offers, the producers of Guitar Hero came to Weinstein asking if they could include a simulation of an Amoeba Records live show in their game.
Weinstein expressed great enthusiasm for where Amoeba is going in the future. Weinstein elucidated how Amoeba Records’ goal is to be an “all-encompassing cultural recycling center.”
The store wants to take advantage of the huge, rising DVD market, including the many independent and less famous movies out there that are just as deserving of attention.
Weinstein said Amoeba is also working on building an online store in order to have an “encyclopedic record of all records passing through this music museum.”
So with a comprehensive music library, a DVD collection that is aiming for the largest in the world and fantastic small venue shows playing consistently, why wouldn’t you stop by and check Amoeba out? You will be in for a treat, guaranteed.
Amoeba Records is located at 6400 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. To learn more, visit http://www. amoeba.com.
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