Onancock record store keeps the music spinning
Vinyl records are making a comeback, and the little town of Onancock on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, somewhat incongruously, is home to one of a handful of record stores on the Delmarva Peninsula.
“It’s just a lifestyle thing for millennial hipsters,” said John Monsees, owner of Sound Idea Records.
In addition to these younger enthusiasts, Monsees' customers include older aficionados who never stopped listening to records.
Monsees opened the shop at 49 King St. in January 2016 after moving to Virginia from New York three years ago.
He has spent his share of time in the music world, both as a member of several bands in the past and working in music stores, including a stint in the 1990s at the iconic Bleecker Bob’s in New York City’s Greenwich Village.
Since opening, Sound Idea has attained a following, including some customers who travel more than an hour from Salisbury, as well as some regulars from Richmond.
Classic rock and jazz are the biggest sellers, Monsees said.
“Probably the biggest selling records are Fleetwood Mac’s 'Rumors,' Pink Floyd’s 'Dark Side of the Moon,' 'The Velvet Underground and Nico' and Miles Davis’ 'Kind of Blue,' ” he said, adding, “Those last two I think should be in everybody’s record collection.”
The shop carries both vintage and new records, as well as CDs, videotapes, a few used books, new and used equipment, and other items.
There also is a listening station in the store. "Anything that's not sealed, they are welcome to listen to," Monsees said.
"Orders from all around"
But it's the record selection that is the main attraction.
“I think we’ve got a really good jazz selection and soul selection, and probably the best Sonic Youth collection on the East Coast,” Monsees said.
American singer-songwriter Tom Waits also is a big seller, "which is kind of surprising," he said.
Near the front door is a display of music by local artists, including Angie Garcia’s recent debut album, "Medicine for Birds."
The 20-something singer-songwriter was a regular customer at Sound Idea for quite a while before she said anything to Monsees about having an album of her own coming out. She did an in-store appearance at the shop when it did.
Monsees is always buying as well as selling, and he: ships records all over the world. There's a link to his Discogs online store on the Sound Idea website.
"Just this morning I looked at my phone and I had an order for a bunch of psych-folk records ... from a guy in Japan," Monsees said.
And anyone in the record business "ends up selling a lot of soul 45s to the UK," he said.
"I could never do this in New York"
So, why set up shop in this small town, population around 1,200?
Monsees' mother moved to the Eastern Shore in the 1980s, so he was familiar with the area. Additionally, it's affordable to open a small business like a record shop here.
"I could never do this in New York," he said, adding, "The most fun I ever had was working at record stores."
It's not just about business. Some people who frequent the store don't buy much, but just come by to chat about music — and that's okay, too.
"I just thought the local record shop was a good meeting place for people who are into this kind of stuff," Monsees said, adding, "There's a good chance that if you're in a record store and you see somebody looking at the same kind of stuff you are interested in, you might have a friend there — or at the very least, somebody to talk to for a few minutes."
There is an increasing number of people who are into that experience these days.
After years of decline, there was a sudden increase in vinyl LP record sales in 2007, and sales of records have been growing steadily ever since.
Sales of vinyl records in the United States in 2015 reached the highest level since 1988, at $416 million, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
While vinyl still makes up only a small percentage of total music sales, it is the only area of the industry that is on the rise, Monsees said.
Maybe it's because young people are discovering, and older listeners are rediscovering, the unique experience of sitting down and listening to an entire album designed for that purpose.
The artwork and more extensive liner notes associated with vinyl don't hurt, either.
"A lot of people are realizing you have a closer connection with the music when you're putting on an album — it's a whole ritual," Monsees said, calling listening to records "a destination activity."
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443-260-3314
IF YOU GO
Sound Idea Records
Where: 49 King St., Onancock
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Hours will expand in the summer to Tuesday through Sunday.
Info: Call 757-787-3080 or go to soundidearecords.com or on Facebook.