It's cool. It's different. It's unique. The search is on for the unconventional in our very own backyard. WTXL's Christine Souders is taking you on an adventure to discover what makes the area 'Funky with an F.'
TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - How people listen to music is constantly changing. But as the record seems to stand the test of time, one Tallahassee store is making sure customers can not only listen to the oldies and the classics, they are also stocking vinyls from today's artists.
"Always loved music since I was a kid. I grew up in a household where music was constantly playing. I have two older sisters. I guess they had an influence on my musical tastes, my upbringing," said Sharod Bines, the co-owner of Retrofit Records.
Bines and his friends, Adam Kent and Bradley Ellison, opened Retrofits Records on Gaines Street in 2011.
"I was at a party and I was like, 'Hey want to open a record store?' That's how it all started," said Bines.
Friends and loved ones told Bines it wasn't a good idea because of how many people were downloading and streaming music on the internet. But, Bines saw a void in the Capital City and opened his store anyways.
"If you wanted to buy a brand new record somewhere there was literally no where to do that in Tallahassee, there were a few shops that sold used records," said Bines.
At Retrofit Records, they're mixing the old with new. You can even find an Elvis record sitting on the shelf next to Justin Bieber. Customers have close to 10,000 vinyls to choose from.
And Bines says he's seeing a change in the way people are listening to music.
"You can go on iTunes and spend $20 bucks, but do you really own those files? We are living in a time where people are valuing music again, which means they are willing to come and spend money on something. I think people want something tangible," said Bines.
Bines says new artists are coming out with new music everyday and he says most of those songs are being released on vinyl.
"That's a testament to the format. It'll probably be around for 1,000 more years," Bines added.
