Take Five: Reykjavík’s Record Shops
Photos by Willona M. SloanWhere’s one of the best places in the world to spend the day crate digging? If you said Reykjavík, Iceland—which you probably didn’t, because … well … it’s Iceland—you’d be right. Reykjavík may be a small city on a small island, but its vinyl culture is huge. Musicians blend global influences and mash up musical styles, and that eclectic vibe is reflected in the city’s record stores.
From old school Parisian hip-hop to Swedish death metal, you can find just about every genre in the world here and what you won’t find is that snobby record store clerk attitude. There are plenty of places to satisfy your vinyl fix downtown. With all of these options, your biggest problem will be getting your new vinyl collection back home.
1. Lucky Records
Lucky Records’ motto is Love all—Serve all. Lucky is the largest of the city’s record stores, and sells new and used 12 inch and 7 inch vinyl. If you’re hunting for vintage Icelandic folk records, you’ll find them here. Contemporary Icelandic jazz—yes. Afrobeat and hip-hop—yep. But wait … do they have Swedish pop? Definitely.
The glossy wood floors, leather couches and graffiti-tagged walls give Lucky a polished urban feel, and the djembe drums, cigar-box guitars and old electric piano add to the décor.
Ingvar Geirsson opened the shop in 2009, after gaining a following selling vinyl at the Kolaportið flea market downtown. His passion for music is obvious. He will ask you what you like, offer an espresso and hand you a stack of music to sample in the listening station. There’s too much to see in one day so save time for a return trip.
2. 12 Tónar
Founded in 1998, 12 Tónar is an independent label, a record store and a local legend. The brightly colored store sells Icelandic CDs and records. Vinyl is down the windy staircase in the basement and the selection focuses on new Icelandic releases, with a tilt toward indie rock and classical. The records aren’t cheap, but they’re high quality. There’s a sampling of used records as well.
12 Tónar hosts in-stores and several showcases at Harpa during the annual Iceland Airwaves festival. The 12 Tónar label has released more than 50 albums by artists including Mr. Silla, Ólöf Arnalds, Rökkurró and Singapore Sling.
Although it’s a hang spot for local musicians, it’s also a welcoming tourist destination. If you need recommendations, ask. If want to test drive an album, you’re more than welcome to pick up a listening copy, plop down on a velour couch and give it a listen while sipping a complimentary espresso. There’s no better way to spend a rainy Reykjavík afternoon.