The Bandwagon to Wanderland: The Vinyl Record Store Tour

If the first day of the Bandwagon’s journey to Wanderland was all about discovering new music and up-and-coming local artists, the morning of Wanderland 2015 was all about going back to music’s roots and rediscovering the magic of vinyl.

Day Two started out with music enthusiasts (Philippine Primer included) meeting up at Market! Market! at Bonifacio Global City to board the Bandwagon Bus. We were immediately treated to an amazing musical experience as Birdforms started their on-board performance as soon as the bus pulled out of the parking lot.

  

Kara Chung and Nick Lazaro of Birdforms, performing on the Bandwagon Bus

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Nick Lazaro and Kara Chung certainly brought it as their performance wasn’t only great because of their musical talent but also because they were able to keep their performance consistent amidst the crazy, rocky streets of Metro Manila. Needless to say, their music put everyone in a good mood and ready to listen to more great tunes, hangover from Day One’s live music tour aside.

The first stop of the vinyl record tour was Tres Kuleros Records & Dry Goods in Mandaluyong. ‘Hole-in-the-wall’ doesn’t even begin to describe it. It shares a space with a video and photography service shop so you’d really have to keep your eyes open to find it. But it’s all worth it as once there, you will feel as if you were transported to another world, or perhaps more accurately, another time. But only for a little bit. The shelves lined up against the walls may be filled with vinyl records, but they are both old and new and from artists both international and local. There was also a pretty snazzy turntable in the middle of the room that you could use to play records, in case you needed help in deciding which record to get.

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Entrance to Tres Kuleros Records & Dry Goods. Notice the small sign on the left.

Albums old and new displayed on the walls. Prices on the right hand corner.

Shelves filled with vinyl records and some nostaglia products.

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The space of Tres Kuleros is small, but it has everything you’d want in a record store–piles of records, a record player, awesome speakers and some chairs to sit on whilst you listen to the records and lose yourself in the music.

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Clarence of Bandwagon and Francis Brew, exchanging thoughts about music and turnstyles.

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In contrast, the second stop of the vinyl record tour was Satchmi, a perfect example of what a vinyl record store has evolved into. Located on the 4th level of Mega Fashion Hall in Ortigas, this corner where you can get refuge from the busy shoppers in Megamall isn’t actually just a record store. Sure there are shelves lined with records, the latest record players on display and listening booths where you can immerse yourself in music that you like, but there are also books, art and specialty coffee. Their baristas are music and coffee enthusiasts alike so you can ask them for recommendations on everything that’s available at Satchmi.

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Satchmi counter

Customers checking out some records at Satchmi

One of the Motorino record players available to use for Satchmi customers

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The two stores showed the best of vinyl record culture and after the night of partying (a.k.a. Day One), they were definitely the quiet, homey venues that provided the best atmosphere for the participants of the Bandwagon tour to geek out about music.

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There are two listening booths in Satchmi where you can drown out the noise of the busy shoppers.

Tables for customers to talk, read books and enjoy the Satchmi lifestyle.

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Photos and article by Ida Irigo