The holidays are all about getting crap, right? Well, it's also about giving crap and giving back. By shopping local, you can do a bit of both.
But when chains like Guitar Center and online retailers like iTunes remain on top for musicians around the globe, you can choose to shop local and keep your money in the local economy. Plus, you get to support local businesses that have a hard time competing with big box stores this time of year.
Here are a few local establishments to find the gift for the musician on your list.
Sure, this is the obvious choice on the list. The Central Phoenix record store offers scores of hidden musical gems, from unique box sets to rare vinyl. To double up on your local support, the Kimber Lanning-owned shop also has an enormous selection of local EPs and full-length albums.
Milano's is the kind of local shop Guitar Center would love to put out of business. The full-service store in downtown Mesa carries everything from percussion to guitars and offers lessons, rentals, sheet music, and a family-owned atmosphere.
Buy tickets from a local promoter
There are plenty of local concert promoters, from the indie music purveyors over at Stateside Presents to the small time operation of ever-present concert attendee/flier passer-outer Psyko Steve.
Formerly housed in the basement of Arizona State University's Memorial Union, Hoodlums found a new home near Changing Hands, a bookstore with a similar buy-trade-sell model. They stock major releases, albums from independent and local artists, rare vinyl, posters and more.
Treat them to a night out at a live music venue
Plenty of bars around town have live local music nearly every night. Treat them to a gift certificate, or take them on a night out to see the local band of their choosing at The Lost Leaf, Yucca Tap Room, Long Wong's, Rogue Bar, Club Red, Sail Inn, or any of the other live music purveyors around the Valley.
Michael Pawlicki's New Pop-Up Record Store
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Still yet to be named, a new pop-up record store next to Yucca Tap Room in Tempe is set to open sometime in December. Owned by Eastside Records album-slinger Michael Pawlicki, the store only plans to stay open for about six months, so get in while you can.
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