Have a look at the picture above. Can you see the little poster on the bottom right corner? It's of Steven Wilson's 2016 release 4½. While I wouldn't count it as one of his greatest works, the mere fact that poster is there is very important for me: Mr. Wilson is probably the first person that pops to mind when people ask me what kind of music I like or who my favourite musician is. He's said to be the best musician to not have hit the mainstream.
It was therefore an exciting surprise when I entered Record House, my neighbourhood music store, and saw that they were almost as unapologetically in love with the guy as I am, if not more (it was hard typing this out). Yes, I'm so obsessed, I didn't even mention Nick Waterhouse, the artist on the album the lady's holding in the picture (thanks Marilena).
Shops with used music are getting easier to find all around the world, but a place where you can catch up on new releases can be trickier. Record House has been around since 1971. That's 45+ years of cassettes, vinyl records, CDs, concerts DVDs, box-sets, last-minute gifts, collector's items, "if I like XYZ what else will I like?" suggestions from the assistants, incredible atmosphere and a central location in the commercial centre of Nea Smyrni.
Even my mum used to shop records here!
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They run a busy schedule of publication-related talks, readings, performances, and exhibitions in their project space every year.
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This is more than an ordinary open market for me. I love to visit the market every Saturday morning and buy flowers for my friends and me.
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The small bakery opened in the 60s, as an all-night bakery that sells fresh koulouri with sesame bread rings with sesame, reggato cheese, and raisins.
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A few minutes away from the Music Hall of Athens, every night, the small truck has always queued to serve the famished people who pass from Mavili Square.
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Famous Greek designers create new posters, calendars, agendas, magazines, and books with interesting visuals and content every season.
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Famous for its vegan options and Ukrainian dishes like piroshki and borscht soup, 67 is also a very relaxed and friendly spot for studying or working.
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Aggelos, the owner, welcomes everyone with a smile and perfect suggestions, always eager to express his encyclopedic knowledge of comic books.
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