As you’ve no doubt worked out by now, we love record shops. Whether big or small, rocking a minimalist aesthetic or packing enough vinyl into their overflowing crates to wear down several lifetime’s worth of needles, we love how each and every one has something special in store for its customers. From the quirkiest locals to the big, gig-hosting powerhouses, every thirty-odd days we pick one to be our Record Store of the Month. They get a tasty gift from the Record Tokens team, and you get to discover the best independent record shops this country has to offer – it’s a win-win!
September's Record Store of the Month: Pie and Vinyl, Southsea
The idea for Pie and Vinyl was conceived in 2011 and the shop opened in April 2012. Owner Steve had an idea for his dream shop, which was built around records and music but also offering customers top quality food to create a unique experience for them. We love that the record shop serves ethically sourced food (who doesn't want pie?) and delivers vinyl to customers via mail order – making it even easier to deliver amazing music straight to their customers' ears. They also have the most charming record shop exterior.
Owner Steve says, "Pie and Vinyl is essentially a sensory experience: visual, auditory, and tasty! Combine all of these things, and you get a real human experience! Something you can’t find on a screen."
"There are many facets to the Pie and Vinyl experience. Not just the records, the food, and the friendly atmosphere, but also the whole feel of the visit and what we can offer outside of the shop. We host many in-store performances, with great emerging and established artists. We have a wide range of merch, and work with local artists to reinterpret our visuals and ideas. We put on shows around the city. We host a street party every year for Record Store Day."
"We also invest and promote local bands using our very own record label, and have curated many festivals, DJ (vinyl only) out and about, and have had the honour of appearing at EVERY 6 Music festival and have close ties with those wonderful people. We like to be original and excite people, both online and off."
"We love Record Tokens! It’s amazing how many people you meet from across the country who have chosen to redeem in your shop. You never know – you may have just gained another regular customer!"
Congratulations to Steve and the rest of the Pie and Vinyl team. We hope you enjoy your food and wine hamper!
You can find Pie and Vinyl at 61 Castle Road, Southsea, Hampshire. If you're local, be sure to pop in and give them a visit – and don't forget your Record Tokens!
Previous Record Stores of the Month
August 2021 - The Turntable Coffee & Vinyl, Huddersfield
July 2021 - Elsewhere, Margate
June 2021 - Heathen Chemistry Records, Fareham
May 2021 - Roan Records, Middlesex
March 2021 - Strummer Room Records, Banbury
February 2021 - Badlands Records, Cheltenham
January 2021 - Wax and Beans, Bury, Greater Manchester
December 2020 - Underground Solushn, Edinburgh
November 2020 - Sound Knowledge, Wiltshire
October 2020 - Assai Records, Dundee
September 2020 - Vinyl Exchange, Manchester
August 2020 - Slide Record Shop, Bedford
July 2020 - The Forge, Tonyrefail, Wales
June 2020 - Fish Records, Stone, Staffordshire
May 2020 - Raves from the Grave, Frome, Somserset
April 2020 - Red House Records, Swindon
March 2020 - The Rock Box Record Store, Camberley, Surrey
February 2020 - Tasty Records, Altrincham, Greater Manchester
January 2020 - The Record Café, Bradford