Records and CDs
Victoria is home to some really quality record stores, man. Seriously, if you're down with vinyl (DJ or just acute listener), there is a great selection. All these shops have CDs, too. So I mean, you really should hook yourself and your friends up with decent record players, but if you're a Discman kid, you're still allowed to have fun in these shops. Nobody will, you know, make faces or anything.
A&B Sound
THE big music store in Victoria's downtown core. Sure, not always the best deals but you're likely to find every artist you're craving a listen to. They also have a great selection of DVDs and other electronic equipment.
641 Yates Street (map) 385-1461
Ditch
A local favourite, seriously, they have everything. It's hard to fathom how they could fit pretty much whatever you'd like to listen to from almost every genre (well, except modern pop, modern rock and Top-40, naturally), into such a nicely sized shop. Not too small, not too big. Their selection is pretty evenly split between records and CDs.
This is where you'll end up finding out about and getting tickets to the city's coolest rock events. Talk to the staff. Be like "Hey I really like _____, what other record should I check out? Any cool shows happening soon?" They'll know. And you'll see them at the show.
635 Johnson Street (map) 386-5874
Boomtown
A wicked joint for all kinds of electronic music, Boomtown has whatever tracks you need for tonight's set. Or if you're the put 'em on at home kinda kid, you'll find tons of electronic-jazz, ambient, trip hop, whatever you need. They have a handy "back catalogue" section sorted by record label. So if you want to check out Warp Records, it's there! Tresor? It's there! Also a great source for local stuff, like the Victoria minimal techno label Itiswhatitis Recordings.
561 Johnson Street, in the Paperbox Arcade (map) 380-5090
Whitebird
Anything you could need as a dance music DJ in Victoria, you'll find here. Whether you're a DJ or a serious clubber with your own decks, don't come in here without some cash saved up, seriously. They sell records, turntables, mixers, other DJ gear, DJ clothes, tickets to rave-style and dance music events, and they do a lot of promotion for local parties. Basically, if you just came to town to play some clubs, and lost all your gear, a few hundred bucks spent here would have you back in business.
768 Yates Street (map) 380-7040
The Turntable
Now let's rewind to 1970. Mom's away for the weekend, and you and your dad are toking up in the garage, rocking out to the best rock n roll ever on Dad's old record player. When your dad got a white-collar job, stopped smoking pot and sold his record collection, it ended up at The Turntable. Now you have the chance to buy all that awesome vinyl back!
The Turntable has the most rockin' collection of rock, pop, funk, jazz, singer-songwriter stuff, folk, even vintage electronica... and the staff is great. They know where it's at.
#107-3 Fan Tan Alley (map) 382-5543
It Sounds Better on Wax
A good DJ-friendly store with all different kinds of well, basically stoner music. Good selection of dance music, some reggae, rock, post-rock... eclectic and good stuff.
556a Pandora Avenue (map) 414-7269
Lyle's Place
This compact place have one week rentals DVD's for $2.69, low prices for used CDs, over 1,200 Different Posters (prices range from $7.5- $9 each) and they also promise to buy your used CDs and DVDs for the best prices in town! Note: they have T-shirts with the shop’s cool logo on them, sweet.
770 Yates Street (map) 382-8422
Old Towne Strings
These guys buy, sell and repair guitars, banjos, mandolins, violins and folk instruments. They stock accessories, strings and bows, music, books and videos. They have music lessons and individual instruction for guitar, fiddle, bluegrass banjo, mandolin, pennywhistle and Irish flute. What more could a musician ask for?
539 Pandora Avenue (map) 383-3412
Amadeus
Buy, sell and trade CDs, tapes and videos. Neat little store with good prices. I always check it out if I'm looking for something in particular, or something rare, or when I'm comparing who will pay the most for my old stuff.
644 Yates Street (map) 361-1996
