Just thought I’d give a brief shout-out to a music shop that is still alive and well, that being Other Music on East 4th (just across the way from where Tower used to be).
At this stage of the proceedings, not only is Other Music a remarkable shop, but it’s also one of the LAST PLACES OF ITS KIND LEFT IN MANHATTAN. I cited it back on this post, but even since then — March of 2014 — some of the places mentioned therein (notably Kim’s and Sounds) have closed their doors. Much to my relief, Other Music is still there and seemingly going strong.
With the possible exception of the endearingly adventurous, intimidatingly esoteric Downtown Music Gallery on Monroe Street in Chinatown, I’d suggest that Other Music has the widest selection of music available in this borough. By the same token, one shouldn’t go there expecting to find the new Ed Sheeran album (well…maybe in the used section). Go to Barnes & Noble for that bullshit. Other Music is for folks who take their tunes seriously.
Unlike some of its since-departed peers (specifically Kim’s), while Other Music is a hive of robustly select tastes, the staff is in no way snobbish. They won’t look down at you for whatever left-field artist or album you’re inquiring about. They know their stuff without ever resorting to lording it over anyone. And if they don’t have the item you’re looking for, they’ll gamely offer to help you chase it down. Yes, other stores offer similar services, but Other Music at least has a handier knowledge of where to find those rarified titles.
As mentioned in that earlier post, I really don’t know what I’m going to do when Other Music shuts its doors. Sure, the Rough Trade shop in Williamsburg is sprawlingly impressive, but y’know … that’s Brooklyn. And it’s not just about procuring product. Of course, I can invariably find whatever I want on the internet, but I just love to fucking BROWSE in these places.
I can’t be alone in that capacity, can I?
Anyway, here’s a nice little clip about Other Music from a couple of years back. I love the fact that they curate based on the staff’s tastes.
Go support them.
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