Tempe's indie music stores spinning from digital impact

In an age when digital music is becoming the norm, independent record stores are feeling a squeeze.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, the number of digital albums downloaded online in 2007 increased by 54 percent from the previous year, while CD shipments fell by about 18 percent.

But record stores haven't lost the battle yet, because the numbers show the shift to digital is gradual. Full-length CDs still accounted for more than 82 percent of the music products purchased by consumers in 2007, with digital downloads accounting for 11.2 percent.

Hanging on to the notion that some music fans still prefer the physical discs and records to the digital version, four independent music stores in Tempe have specialized their inventory to help them stay in the game.

Vinyl records

In an unassuming strip mall on University Drive, Memory Lane Records has stood the test of time for almost 25 years. It is one of the oldest independent record stores in Tempe, having forged through the rise of digital music and the presence of corporate retailers.

Owner Eric Finn said what makes his store stand out is a focus on vinyl and hard-to-find music selections. "The majority of music stores want to stick to the rock and roll," Finn said. "I don't think they have the same variety as we do."

Finn hasn't dismissed the digital age completely, though. In 1996, he took the store online, where he now makes a lot of his sales. His musical inventory is searchable and contains detailed information about the condition of every record, CD and cassette tape.

While Finn has noticed a small slowing in sales, he said, he doesn't think he'll lose his customer base over it.

"Basically, people are going to go where they're comfortable," Finn said.

Used music

Although digital music is a new struggle for storeowners to deal with, Steve Wiley, co-owner of Hoodlums Music & Movies, said owning a record store has never been easy.

"It's been challenging for indie record stores for 20 years," Wiley said. "The advantages are given to the corporate places, and that's just how it is."

Wiley and co-owner Kristian Luce faced even more challenges last November when the Memorial Union at Arizona State University caught on fire and ruined their store that was housed in the basement. Hoodlums had been a fixture in the MU since it opened in 1998.

When they decided not to return to ASU, Wiley and Luce faced the decision of whether they should even open another store. But in July, Wiley wrote on the Hoodlums Web site blog, "It's a tough business in a tough economy. However, when it comes down to it, this is what we do. After 20 years each in the biz, it's who we are."

Hoodlums opened in its new location on McClintock Drive and Guadalupe Road on Sept. 20, stocking the shelves with used music straight from the collections of the owners.

"We respond to the economy and the conditions of our industry by focusing on used," Wiley said. "People should be able to come in and get a good batch of music and not pay a bunch of money for it."

In its new location, Wiley said they've expanded their jazz, blues and world sections and have also increased their stock of vinyl. But unlike Memory Lane, they do carry a large selection of new releases as well.

Punk/metal

Eastside Records, a Tempe music veteran for more than 20 years, has seen the ups and downs of the independent music scene. Located on University Drive and Ash Avenue, the store once was doing well enough to expand its space. But then a couple of years ago, it was forced to downsize because of slow sales.

Manager Michael Pawlicki said they're putting everything they've got into the store, despite how quiet it's been there lately.

"This whole economic thing has soaked down to this level," Pawlicki said. "We're working very, very hard these days."

Eastside has always specialized on the underground punk and metal scenes, and Pawlicki said that a specific focus is necessary for small stores to survive in this market. The store has also started selling used equipment, like stereos and turntables, because the resale value is higher than CDs.

Because of the specialized selections, Pawlicki said there's no great competition with the other independent music stores in Tempe. They're all in the same boat.

"Anyone in a small business knows it's not so easy at this point, but we have to try hard to keep our heads up," he said.

Electronic

On Scottsdale Road north of the Loop 202, London West Records is a haven for electronic music and DJ's. And according to owner Matt Spangler, it's the only store of its kind in the state.

The store first opened as an import CD shop in 1998, and switched to selling only vinyl in 2002. When Spangler realized that the majority of DJ's were using only digital music now, he knew he had to do something different.

"We made a whole bunch of changes and are trying to keep up with the digital age," Spangler said.

The result was a new Web site that he launched this summer, unveiling a one-stop shop for music production and marketing. The store will now provide flyer design and printing, CD/DVD printing and duplication and DJ equipment repair.

But vinyl enthusiasts don't need to worry, he has no plans of getting rid of the records.

"I'll still buy vinyl. I hope to never stop doing that," Spangler said. "The younger kids still buy it, and they yell at me when I don't carry enough."

Spangler, like the other Tempe music store owners, said he hopes that specializing will help his store stay afloat.

"Everything is changing around in the industry," he said. "We're just trying to stay open."

SOURCE: The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com