Ditching digital

If it wasn’t for the fact that I received a copy of “Get Back” by The Beatles on vinyl this Christmas, I would have said that all the online buzz calling 2026 “the year of analog” was absolute nonsense. However, my friends and I left our annual Christmas party with arts and crafts sets, CDs, crochet starter kits and even more records. 

We got exactly what we wanted: An opportunity to slow down and disconnect from a world plagued by AI, deep fakes, misinformation and everything in between. 

I decided to grow my physical media collection to accompany “Get Back” on my otherwise empty shelf and found that Uptown is an absolute haven for music and physical media devotees.

Full Contact Rock N’ Roll, a small local business started by musicians, is known for its collection of used records, band T-shirts, tour merchandise and more. For Beatles lovers: The store has its own curated “Beatles Collection” including books, films and even a special edition of Beatles Monopoly.

Located on the same street and featuring a wide range of physical media, including retro video games and consoles straight from the ’80s, Red Brontosaurus Records was my second stop — and it took me back to a different decade.

And last but not least, Folks Arts Rare Records, which is one of the oldest record stores in California, is located in Cherokee Point. Since 1967, it has worked to give a second life to physical media, including vinyls and CDs. It’s rich with history, and so is every item for sale. 

Whether it be CDs, records or rock ’n’ roll memorabilia, you’ll find it in Uptown. Best of luck!