Reasons I love record stores:

• The endless possibilities of new music to discover.
• There’s something special about loving a record that has already been loved and shared with others before you.
• The anticipation of stumbling upon that longed for 7 inch vinyl that you’ve scoured many record stores for. There’s always the chance that this could be the day.
• The people who work in them actually know about music. Unlike the majority of people who work in places like HMV and Sanity (insert local big brand chain music store).
• Music and concert picks hand written on cards on the walls. I love the intimate nature of the way the information is displayed. It’s like a hand written letter from a friend telling you to check out their new favourite band.
• The one dude that lives and breathes music. There’s always one older guy working in these stores who is passionate about music and knows a ton about music. The Barry of your Championship Vinyl. Not that Barry was older, but you know what I mean.

Awesome record stores:

• Zulu Records, 4th Ave, Vancouver
• Easy St Records in Seattle
• Amoeba Music in Los Angeles
• Red Eye Records, King St, Sydney
• That one awesome little whole in the wall store in Temple Bar, Dublin. I don’t remember the name but they sold way more U2 vinyl than I’d ever seen in my life.
• Championship Vinyl- ok, so it’s fictional but you know it’s awesome. TRAX can therefore also be included.

And yes, I smacked the hell out of shooting wide open in those photographs.

Taken with Fuji Natura Colour 1600 film from Japan.

Related posts:

1. CSN Stores Give Away Winner!
2. Reasons Why Living In Canada Is Awesome
3. Vinyl Magic

Back in the day a lot of my blogging was centred around music and concert photography as I used to shoot lots of bands on weekends. Most of the time I was just shooting for fun as I would go to many gigs with the Canadian. I really enjoyed shooting bands but after a while grew tired of it, for one reason or another, and stopped.

Lately my Sean has been buying a lot of vinyl as he is back with his collection which he had to leave in Vancouver. We all have iPods and music on our computers but I really love looking at the artwork. There is something to be said for flipping through a record collection, feeling the artwork between your fingers and being able to slide the crisp covers out of the stack. Looking through CDs just isn’t the same. I actually think CDs should be banished from our homes. Their tacky plastic covers have no place in beautifully decorated rooms.

Sean holds one of my favourite songs from 2009 in this photograph above but I chose this album because of its striking cover. I am often inspired by my favourite music, but many times I’m inspired by the artwork and photography on record covers so I’d like to share some of my favourites with you.

Goldfrapp’s Seventh Tree (1, 8 & 11), U2′s No Line On The Horizon, Sigur Ros’ Hoppípolla single, Arcade Fire’s Funeral, Florence and the Machine’s Lungs, Asobi Seksu’s Hush, Fleet Foxes’ Fleet Foxes, Bat For Lashes album promo shots.

I have long been in love with the artwork within Seventh Tree’s limited edition and often dream of finding a sun drenched field to shoot a girl with golden curls. Just need to find the girl.

I’d love to hear about any album artwork that you find beautiful!

First photograph containing Bat For Lashes ‘Daniel’ by me.

All other album photographs found on google images.