THE VINYL ROUTE: BANGLA DESH + DISCOS BABEL
- DEW ARIZA
- Jul 8, 2024
- 2 min read
One more day, the music lover who has no idea about music brings us a new way to share her passion for the music world. We officially begin the magical vinyl route –or places that deserve my mention where I have found records–.
Inspired by the (almost) infinite and unbeatable vinyl collection that my father has, my inner child has not been able to resist trying to have a collection like his one day. In this section, and although I already have my favorite places in this trambolika city, my idea is to show you each of the hidden places and stores that Madrid has dedicated to our beloved vinyl and music. The target: to develop a map for the analog sound freaks and easily find all the options and those that best fit what we are looking for.
I have found a bit of everything and, I must admit that this city never ceases to surprise me. Among the many places discovered (and many others still undiscovered) there are even vinyl stores dedicated to a specific genre (which I fell in love with).
Today I bring you nothing less than two stores that are on the same street, and not only do they share an address, they are next to each other, wall to wall. Two completely different universes separated by a wall. Two stores that share similarities but with their peculiarities and their own world. In an alley uphill, near the Ópera metro, we find BANGLA DESH and DISCOS BABEL. Both businesses in Costanilla de los Ángeles, are two stores that buy and sell vinyl records and CDs.
Walking from the metro, BANGLA DESH is the first of the two stores we find. With its black and white sign, you can already breathe history. From outside I can see the boxes and boxes of vinyl, as well as an unmistakable record of the soundtrack of the feature film Trainspotting at the very end. 95€ is the cost of that little piece of history. I'll leave it for another day (I thought). A business that has moved several times, but definitely without losing its essence. With an impressive collection of vinyls, it is perfect for those looking for something unique.
I leave BANGLA DESH and come across DISCOS BABEL. Is it possible that there is another vinyl shop literally next door? Having just left one did not prevent me from entering another. From the outside, it already breathed timelessness, paralysis in time, as if there was a little piece of the street that lived in another decade. That window, full of records, posters, advertising... As soon as I entered, it already smelled of another era. Anyone who has been there will understand why. With a variety very much to my taste, the clerk (super nice) happily helps you with whatever you want. I had not planned to buy anything and in the end,... I almost took 2. One from The Clash that came home with me.
As I said at that moment, the May vinyl is already bought. See you next month to find another one… Soon I will be showing you more unique places where you can play, discover and listen to vinyl. If you are not yet in this world, don't worry, it's never too late to get into it.
Comments