Spinning in Chico

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Amir Qureshi founded Soundscape Records as a mail-order business around 2010. After meeting his wife and moving to Chico in 2017, he opened Soundscape as a brick-and-mortar store at 347 Nord Ave., Ste. 3, which is tucked behind Xhale Tobacco and Gifts. A self-described vinyl enthusiast, Qureshi predominantly carries new records—including a variety of genres from numerous decades—with plans to introduce a wider used selection later this year. Vinyl records are enjoying a resurgence—according to the Recording Industry Association of America, the physical format generated revenues totaling $419 million in 2018, an 8 percent increase compared with the previous year and the highest level since 1988, back when Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” was climbing the charts.

What attracts people to vinyl?

You can be someone that actually loves to listen to streaming sites and things like that, but if you have a favorite band or two, you’re going to want to go into a store and support that band. I feel like that’s also … helped touring bands of all calibers, too, because it’s actually promoting people to get out there to support an independent shop in the community. As well as [creating] some excitement and buzz for people to get out there and explore a shop.

Why got you into vinyl?

I have always been a visual person, and I loved the fact that records have this expanded artwork that you can open … and flip through. It just kind of brought out kind of the best of everything. I think it’s the exclusivity and the limited nature, too, that kind of adds to the appeal. As well as taking something home that’s pretty badass that you can listen to that sounds flawless.

How would you describe your selection?

When I was ready to open up my shop over here, I really wanted to try out a completely fresh concept, where everything would be brand new. Newer artists, more obscure artists … titles that you won’t be able to find unless you go out as far as the Bay Area or Sacramento. More … indie exclusives or the artists that you would not typically see in other shops. And I feel like that really attributed to the shop’s success over time, and that’s what I’m continuing to roll with.

What are you currently spinning?

The last record I was actually spinning, it was actually a very heavy record. It was Killer be Killed, and I’ve been on a kick on that record for weeks now. I think it’s fantastic. It’s just a supergroup of musicians from all sorts of bands like Mastodon and Dillinger Escape Plan and Soulfly. If I [could] be here 24 hours a day and just listen to music, I would do it.