French Eshops Focus #2

Previously on Common Ground: I was presenting a first batch of 5 awesome record stores from our sweet France, telling you how much we were gifted to work with them at Common Ground. Then, I teased you with the most breathtaking cliffhanger ever, announcing another episode of this French focus. Brace yourselves, because here we are: the second (and last?) act of the Cocorico saga!

Discover French Focus: Episode #1 at the end of this article.

Le Discopathe

If we had to choose a record store that embodies the spirit of its hometown, the perfect pair would probably be Montpellier and its beloved Discopathe. Both exude a laid-back, sun-soaked charm, providing a sweet living environment and plenty of cultural activities, and a deep-rooted pride in their Languedoc heritage.
Indeed, Beyond its cozy bar brimming with quality local products and weekly music events, the shop also boasts more than 10,000 records. An heterogeneous selection between House, Techno, IDM, Hip-Hop, Ambient, Experimental, Soul, Disco, Reggae, World Music… Tempted yet? At this point, you might just find yourself wanting to move - if not to Montpellier, then definitely to Le Discopathe.

→ https://www.lediscopathe.com/
28 rue du Faubourg du Courreau 34000 Montpellier France

KMA60

Resonating like a cryptic codename, KMA60 conceals a multitude of secrets behind its alphanumeric veil. First a Berliner consulting and distribution service, it later evolved into a publishing house under the Rezpektiva and Prozpektiva sublabels. In late 2022, the German trademark crossed the Rhine to join the Parisian Kuruneko Media nebula and keep on mutating. Now also functioning as an online shop, KMA60 specializes in retro futurist Electro, Synth-infused EBM infused, ‘90s Trance and (Progressive) House. After exploring their catalog, it became pretty clear to me: KMA60 is also the password for opening the gateway to an infinity of club bangers.

→ https://www.kma60.com/

Livity Records

More, much more than just being a record store dedicated to Reggae, Livity Records puts out all the stops for democratizing their passion and values inherent to the genre. For twenty years, the Lyon-based shop has been a real social hub for rastafari aficionados by organizing parties and cultural events that celebrate the Jamaican movement. But that's not all, as Livity Records also boasts a flourishing label, a recording studio and even a vinyl press for cutting exclusive dubplates. In their crates, amongst books, art and clothing: new records and second-hand, covering not only Reggae derivatives but also Hip-hop, Soul, Afrobeat, Blues and more globally an expensive range of Black Music.

→ https://www.livity-records.com
1 rue Docteur Augros, 69005, Lyon

Bad Seeds

Brest may be 30 kilometers inland from the Atlantic, it still feels like the marine salts have gone straight to the heads of Bad Seeds shopkeepers! Since 2015, Christophe and Reno have specialized in serving up Rock in every shape and form, alongside a vast array of Alternative and Indie Music. New or No Wave, (Post-)Punk, Folk Pop, Psychedelic Jazz, Dark Ambient, Noise experimentations… You name it, they have it! It’s not just a shop where to buy records, cassettes or CDs, as the venue is also shared with a risograph studio, the Super Banco publishing house and the Kuuutch art space. It’s a community-driven space, nestled in the heart of the Breton peninsula and oriented toward the local scene, by organizing concerts, exhibitions and social events.

→ http://badseedsrecordshop.com
17 Rue Fautras, 29200 Brest

Impressions Sonores

To those feeling a bit frustrated when limited to a single genre, Impressions Sonores come with the solution: shelves full of music of every stripe to feed your need for new discoveries. An UK Acid House banger or Italo Disco classic to turn the party upside down, some Japanese New Age or German cosmic Library to arouse imagination, or even a dusty record of Cuban Percussions or Nigerian Funk to keep an eye (or an ear) around the globe… No boundaries, only a true love for good music.

→ https://impressions-sonores.common-ground.io

Want more?

Revisit French Eshops Focus #1 for deeper insights!

Wednesday, February 19, 2025