Today we’d like to introduce you to George Andrinopoulos.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I came up loving music, initially being glued to MTV in the early 80’s and then by 1985 Hip Hop took me completely over. Somewhere in the early 90’s finding undiscovered music to sample and make music from became one of my main interests. Most recently my group Czarface, released an album with MF DOOM that is some of our best work.
Along the way I have always DJ’d clubs while dreaming of opening up a record store. My main focus was to really just turn people on to all the kind of music that I was into. My first pursuit at a store was in 2011, but just couldn’t get the right location. I did end up working for local reissue label Get on Down which began a great relationship (and we still work together today).
Last year (my partner in the store) Jeremy was transitioning out of his job at UGHH (as I was at Get on Down) and he mentioned we should try and do a small shop together. He found the location at Bow Market and along with Peter (from the Good Life) we came up with Vinyl Index.
We opened Vinyl Index officially last month and I couldn’t be happier with the place we are at. Every day is a new learning experience, and think we all are able to cover all our interests and meeting some really great people along the way.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There might be some struggle with just keeping up with our growing inventory, but I don’t really look at it as a bad thing. That’s part of the job. Of course long hours and late nights are expected in any business, so really I can’t point out any struggle. I want the struggle, looking back on any projects I’ve done the grind was really some of my most prized memories (even though at the time I’m sure they were far from that).
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vinyl Index – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
With Vinyl Index it’s myself, Jeremy Sullivan and Peter Fiumara. Our store specializes in having a (excuse this over used word) heavily curated selection of all our musical tastes. I think the design of the store (done by our head designer Alfredo Rico Dimas) is the first thing people will notice when walking in. For myself going to record stores all around the world since the mid 90’s (from being on the road touring) I have to say I’m most proud of the original and clean aesthetic we have. I think it’s a perfect way to showcase our records and the kind of records we’re selling.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Just to keep growing the shop and be part of the ever growing vinyl community.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 Bow Market Way #25
Somerville MA - Website: vinylindex.com
- Email: 7L@vinylindex.com
- Instagram: @vinylindex
- Facebook: Facebook.com/vinylIndex
- Twitter: @vinylindex
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