Interstellar Space Records

As a vinyl junkie finding a store like Interstellar is an exciting moment. Though records are organized in the usual categories I found really unique items within each genre. There were some great foreign and rockabilly records in the soundtracks section, I found a George Crumb recording I’ve never seen before in the classical section, there were some great unusual recordings in both jazz and blues, and everything is fairly priced. The owner is super chill and plays a lot of interesting records on the store turntable which gets the conversation flowing. A new must-stop location for me when in Chicago.

Interstellar Space is my favorite record shop in Chicago. They offer a well-curated used selection of LPs (some tapes and books as well) that I can browse in an hour or less and doesn’t feel like “Discogs™: The Store” with their pricing - the prices are fair and reasonable and I’ve managed to find several records I’ve been seeking for years here (and I worked at a shop myself for a decade). I didn’t know anyone associated with this shop before I started popping in a few years back, following the pandemic, but I became fast friends with Michael and Luke after a visit or two. The word “community” is bandied about a lot these days but this shop really has that - I have enjoyed getting to know other regular customers here (many friendly new Daves in my life) and also often run into old friends…not to mention the occasional evening listening parties and support for local musicians and labels (whose offerings are the only copies of any *new* records you’ll find in the store). I cannot understand the few negative reviews of the shop I’ve read here. My suspicion is that they are terminally online people, conditioned by “frictionless” business models and desiring instant gratification, who have forgotten about or never experienced what it was like to stand around and shoot the breeze in a public space. This is one of the very few places in the city I can count on to greet me with a smile and engaging conversation whenever I come around. Yes, the heads are into this spot, but Interstellar Space lacks the “High Fidelity” rude shop clerk clichés. As a matter of fact, it’s the opposite approach - Michael’s curation runs the gamut of musical styles and he’s poised to put affordable records in your hands every Thursday-Sunday because he knows the joy of music and wants to share it with you. Whether you have $5 to spend or $100, you can leave this shop with a great record if you’re open to being surprised at what you might find. Their presence in our city is a blessing.

A great record shop that focuses on community and sharing of music that is rare/obscure and the classics. Found myself in many long conversations with the owner about music we love and the rad vintage audio gear around the shop.

Store was a little messy and looked like they just moved in? and then the vibe was weird, a couple dudes were just sitting around (not sure they even work there?) giving me and my partner weird looks so we got out of there as quick as possible, doubt we would come back.

Cool record store!! Just enough to flip through mostly everything in store, without being overwhelmed or getting bored. Specially pressings, not a bunch of wrapped up current reissues. Guy behind the counter (very well could be the owner) was real friendly & welcoming. Prices are pretty good & every record that I looked at seemed to be in NM condition. Left with something cool, & will be back soon!

Really nice shop. Smaller side, but the collection there is really neat with some stuff you might not see at other shops, and the 60s to 70s rock/pop albums you would expect to see. The prices are really fair and the two records I bought were in amazing condition for the price. Owner seems really knowledgeable, he was having a really nice conversation with a customer about some music I had never heard of before. Again, a great little shop, well worth a visit.

Super unique selection of records. I'm new to collecting and the owner helped me find some deep cuts of bands I've heard about. I also like their collection of psychedelic and oddity records.

One of the best record stores in the Chicago area. If you’re looking for rare jazz, soul, psych, folk or avant garde, or a place to consistently find reliable rock classics, this is the store for you. A well curated selection of used records that is always updating. You will be able to dig through everything without dedicating an entire afternoon, yet still consistently find something you’ve been looking for and something you didn’t know you needed. Prices are more than reasonable, records are clean, the owner knows his music and is always happy to point you in the right direction or turn you on to something new. A very welcoming, friendly, and intimate vibe every day. Highly recommended.

This small record store opened at the beginning of the year, just before the pandemic. I live nearby and had been intending to check it out, but didn't get around to it, and then you-know-what happened. Now they've reopened with limited hours so I popped in and I'm glad I did. It's a tiny shop, so small that when they first opened I thought it might just be a temporary pop-up store. But the selection is *curated* and the curation is what sets this place apart. Every record in the store is vintage vinyl, so there are no reissues or new stuff. So it's not a full-service record store. It's more like browsing the personal collection of someone with good taste. Despite the small size, I found more tempting potential purchases here than I usually do at a record store. Price-wise, there is a split between the higher-priced rarities that hardcore collectors can shell out for, and more moderately priced records for the casual browser like me. I found plenty of good stuff priced around $10, so there's something for everyone. It's across the street from Ravenswood Used Books, so this block on Montrose is becoming an analog media mecca! Make an afternoon of it and get your record/book shopping done on the same block. The owner seemed like a very nice guy too. I feel for the bad timing of opening a business right before the pandemic, so this place is worth supporting.

Very cool selection of records. The owner clearly has a passion for rare records as well as having the classics. Got to talk with him and he seems like a genuinely good guy. I highly recommend dropping in if you're a collector of rare records or you want to stock up on your first few records to get started.

Been turned onto a lot of great music by this community focused record shop. The owner has a deep knowledge and is happy to share what he knows with enthusiasm. Have scored some great rare/underground music here as well as afforable clean classics like Neil Young to replace my dad's partied on 70s collection.

Amazing selection of classic albums for n and rarities. Always a pleasure speaking with knowledgeable owner.

I wish for two things to occur when this godforsaken pandemic ends: first, to move back to Chicago; second, to hit record stores again, especially this one. Immediately upon my entry, I saw an original pressing of the Silver Apples' debut (an early electronic classic) and a beautiful copy of Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain" (one of the greatest albums ever made) on the wall among some stellar jazz records. I knew what the store was about based on those albums. Interstellar reflects its owner's idiosyncratic but excellent taste, which isn't for everyone, but if you have an open mind there are treasures to find here. In addition to jazz and electronic music, there's hip hop, rock, soul, funk, reggae, and more, titles you won't necessarily see at other places. (Admittedly, I'm biased towards shops that don't try to be all things to all people; I like something with a distinct point of view.) The prices, while not cheap, at least for the rarer records, were comparable to Discogs. You're not going to be price gouged here. The owner, Michael, is a great guy. Interstellar is small but I could have easily walked away with a dozen records (The shop had an album by Fanny, one of the first all-female rock groups!) I can't wait to check out Interstellar again.

hello, I am contacting you to know if you also make the shipments via France, I seek and I mainly listen to Soul music, funk, jazzfunk, if the prices are correct I am taker for a small batch, since stores that I 'buy we close following this global pandemic. I will leave you my email address serge.lappthiapp@gmail.com best regards Serge

Great selection of interesting titles. Prices are very reasonable. Found a couple of obscure Larry Coryell LP's. Definitely returning to check the bins on a regular basis.