Polyester Records

By far my favourite record store in Melbourne. A huge supporter of local music with acts performing regularly in store for album launches, not to mention a huge selection of local and international indie new releases, Polyester know what they should keep on their shelves. The staff are all really great and more than happy to help out.

Given the name, it’s pretty obvious what these guys are flogging. If they just prefixed ‘The legendary’ to the store name it might more appropriately capture what these guys are about, but then it would sound stupid. Anyway, I’m just trying to make a point. You get me.
At the risk of repeating what others have already covered, Polyester have been around for years and they know how to provide great music, new and old, to all you music lovers out there.
I love the fact that they’re opening hours are so generous. I sometimes find myself on Brunswick Street feeling like I need to get away from all the action — I mean, on a Saturday night, it can definitely get a bit too much — and Polyester has come to my rescue. I feel comforted knowing that this oasis of calm and normality is there for me to disappear into, at least momentarily.
I always leave feeling happier, more excited about my life and more tolerant of all the drunk, young people out on Brunswick Street getting in my way.
Polyester Records teaches tolerance. So not just a record store.

In the era of new-​age technologies allowing you to grab anything you like online, Polyester Records reminds you of the grand experience of flipping through CD’s and Vinyl’s at your record shop.
I stepped in the store today and was loved the ambience of the place, Pinball machine to the right, Lit-​Up signs and funky Jazz music playing.
I flipped through the CD’s and found some really cool ‘Soul’ albums that your everyday department store wouldn’t have. I’m happy to say that this is some where where you won’t find the Top 40 usually plastered all over ‘Sanity’ and what not.
I also have a love for Polyester because that’s where i buy all my music tickets! They have a white-​board out the fornt with what events they are selling and how much the tickets cost. Super handy and i make sure to check it out every time i walk past.

At one end Brunswick Street you will find two stores that share the Polyester name. One is the bookstore, in which the inventory also includes ‘totally weird shit’. The other, found only a few stores closer to Alexandra Pde and across the street, is Polyester Records. Here the focus is on the audio products, and whole the ‘weird’ may not be in the title it is still here to a lesser extent.
With a focus on vinyl they have an extensive Indie selection as well as an up to date back catalog of Australian Independent releases. The poster in the window is of a lesser known Australian band, that’s how focused they are on this.
The limited printed wares you do find have the same music focus, be it a band tee or lyric book or autobiography.
The signage outside is nice and surreal, the quality and price of the wares and your time will be well worth spent and lost here.

A treat for the Audiophile, Polyester Records is still standing after all these years of illegal downloads.
They have a great vinyl selection at good prices and the same goes with the CDs. Although, for an extra $ 10 I don’t know why you wouldn’t just buy the vinyl… LOOK. The point is: you want music? They got it. In truckloads. Do you like reading about music too? Oh you do? Well, great, they have books that are very reasonably priced as well. Polyester also sell tickets to gigs and are very much a mainstay along here.
Plus, the staff are primarily musicians themselves so they know the ins and outs of music, and will know what they are talking about. This store has good street cred. Everyone knows it; it’s the good ‘ol reliable music store.
Or perhaps you like all those free street magazines; just to the right of the door you’ll find a plethora of the things.
But try to come in properly and get some music into ‘ya.

I remember buying my big day out ticket here to see the Smashing Pumpkins and The Ramones in 1994. This place is one of the homes of great music and has been turning up quality bands long before you read it on a blog or fan site.
With a great range of good music to sift through, this classic old record store has got a little bit of something for everyone — as long as you like good music. There are a lot of rarities and international imports. If you get a bit tired of searching through the CDs and records, you can always play the retro pinball machine in the front of the store. The staff seem to know their stuff and were up to date about current releases. The counter at the back doubles as a ticket outlet where you can grab tickets for most concerts and festivals.

Polyester gives me a fuzzy warm feeling in my guts like I’m doing something that I shouldn’t. Reality is, as a struggling freelance writer, it’s a terrible idea for me to even think of setting foot in this place because holy shit, there’s so much amazing vinyl in there, I will depart having spent dollars I don’t have.
Originally an offshoot of the book store of the same name (minus the ‘records’ bit obviously), Polyester’s ethos of quality shit carries across both stores and man do they mean it. You can easily kill a few hours browsing and scheming up new and unusual ways to abuse your credit card. You find yourself rubbing your filthy hands with glee, then cursing your stupidity come CC statement time.
They also stock CDs, a limited range of books and have all the regular street mags and posters. This is a quality record store for vinyl junkies and music folk. They know their shit and are happy to share it with you.

Support your local independent music store!
I’ve met so many people browsing through the records at Polyester’s Fitzroy store over the years that I should probably start paying them a friend-​finding fee, but that’s the beauty of getting away from the computer and getting involved with record-​buying culture here — you feel like you’re not just shopping, you’re a part of a community. Sappy but true. And yes, there are more and more record fairs starting up, but if it’s a new release you’re after, Polyester probably has it.
The Australian CD section is also one of the best anywhere, with an up-​to-​date selection of local acts, ‘obscure’ and otherwise. This store is also great if you want to discover that mopey, bearded, plaid-​wearing record store dudes don’t only exist in the movies.