The Music Never Stops: Fairfield’s Vinyl Street Cafe

Photo creds: Paola Benedetto

There’s nothing like sitting back in a chair with a cup of hot, aromatic coffee after dropping the needle on a record that lends itself to the soundtrack of your life. The marriage between these two - music and coffee, a pair of some of the world's biggest loves - can be met right at 1895 Post Road in downtown Fairfield at Vinyl Street Cafe.

When Vinyl Street Cafe opened in town in July 2016, founding owner Josh Wright said “between FTC, Music & Arts, and School of Rock, it (Fairfield) felt like a great fit for VSC”. He was right.

With the town having an appreciation for live music spanning across genres such as folk, funk, and rock - as well as its growing community of jam fans, Wright says “Fairfield seemed like the perfect location for a jam band store. We started as a Dead Head store, but have since gone heavily into jazz, jazz fusion, hip hop, post punk, and much more” touching many musical-bases that Fairfielders can dig.

Wright, a self-described “avid listener, music enthusiast, and audiophile” has always had a special relationship with music.

“Music is tangible; it's real to me,” says Wright. When asked if he’s a music addict, he explains “The sonic waves that trigger my auditory senses can send me off with the lyrics and music.  It's quite simply the last true art form, other than writing.  If that makes me an addict then yes, I've always been one.”

Like so many businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vinyl Street Cafe was affected by the whirlwind changes in the industry. Record plant pressing was put on pause, while at the same time, artists were at home, writing and recording new music. Now, as Wright describes, “Vinyl record press plants have steadily become more and more backed up because of demand from the artists and labels.”

Potentially due to vinyl records making a recent comeback in the last decade, as well as it being a stronger source of income than ill-paying streaming services, Wright explained that these days, “it seems every artist wants their record on vinyl, and in a variety of exclusive colors for the bigger pop artists, which makes it even harder for the indies.”

While more people began spending extended time at home during the pandemic, a silver lining for the record industry may have revealed itself, as “people were looking for different things to do - new hobbies.  Being stuck at home and immobile, it seems many started listening to and collecting records.” Wright believes.

So when you go to Vinyl Street Cafe to buy some records, where do you start?

If you’re just beginning your own vinyl collection, “start with your favorite albums,” Wright advises.  “The ones that have lasted the test of time for YOU.  The ones that you'll always go back and listen to.”

As for what’s most popular, a few that Vinyl Street Cafe sells most often are Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, The Stranger by Billy Joel, and Grateful Dead’s American Beauty.

And if you don’t own a record player? Have no fear because Vinyl Street also sells everything from CD’s, records, and cassettes to DVD’s, Blu-ray, VHS, and even books and fine art!

So go on down to Vinyl Street Cafe, grab yourself a cup of joe and join the passionate sifters in the hunt - to find your favorite record and bask in all of its aural beauty.

Follow Vinyl Street Cafe on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Kitti, always there to help! Photo creds: Paola Benedetto