We asked. You commented, emailed, and tweeted, and we’ve tallied up the votes; now it’s time to congratulate the winners! We’re featuring your TOP FIVE record stores this week, one per day, as we impatiently await Record Store Day, Saturday, April 16th, 2011.
We celebrate the stores that make Record Store Day possible and the vinyl enthusiasts—namely you, dear readers—who love them. It’s been great reading your opinions! Count down to Record Store Day with us as we pay tribute to the record stores that make our lives richer every day.
Lousiana Music Factory first opened its doors in 1992 (at a previous, smaller location), and “it was their belief then, and now, that there needs to be a record store that specializes in regional music, i.e., the music of New Orleans and Louisiana.”
Phil Gallo of USA Today agrees with this sentiment, saying that Louisiana Music Factory “represents the culture of the state and it has a deep, rich catalog, so you don’t just get Professor Longhair and a T-shirt.” He ranked it one of the best specialized record stores in the country. “LMF” also has the honor of being rated one of Paste’s 17 Coolest Record Stores In America.
Its fans think it’s pretty damn cool, too. Here’s what they said in our Favorite Record Store Poll:
Mark: Louisiana Music Factory in New Orleans is very committed to supporting local music and are completely stocked with Louisiana artists past and present. They also host in-store performances on Saturdays, with a huge lineup on the days between Jazz Fest. The staff are the nicest people and totally knowledgable. It is a treasure and an institution here in NOLA.
Gary: Louisiana Music Factory is a special place! A great environment to explore music that you may have missed. New Orleans is now a smaller city, but LMF seems to have been able to survive and grow.
Muffin: I love LMF! Louisiana Music Factory. I’ve been buying records from them for as long as I can remember. They have the best selection in town, great prices and live in store shows!!! In New Orleans, you know if it’s published you can ask the guys at LMF about it, and if they don’t have it in stock they happily help you get it. Seriously! LMF is the best!
We’re so pleased that Louisiana Music Factory was chosen as a Top 5 Favorite. A store that is so active in New Orleans’ music community, a community that TVD NOLA just became a part of a few months ago, deserves recognition. Artists that have recently performed in-store at LMF include Michael Liuzza, Honeyboy Carencro, New Orleans Moonshiners, and Key Colyer Trust Party ft. Kid Simmons’ New Orleans Band).
Record Store Day Events:
Free, live music from local musicians:
Kelcy Mae – 2:00pm
Lynn Drury – 3:00pm
Ken Swartz – 4:00pm
There will be coupons for discounts on draft beer at the neighboring bar, which they do each time they have concerts in the store.
In summary: CHEAP BEER, FREE MUSIC, TONS OF VINYL.
Will you be shopping at Lousiana Music Factory on Record Store Day? We think you should! Here’s all the info you’ll need:
Louisiana Music Factory
210 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Monday – Saturday 10AM – 7PM
Sunday Noon – 6PM
(504) 586-1094
