BIRD CITY RECORDS

Bird City Records serves La Plata with a buying focus shaped by what local customers actually ask for. Shannon's answers are practical and direct: newer R&B, rap, soul, funk, punk, clean sleeves, and realistic expectations matter more than age alone.

Interview with BIRD CITY RECORDS

La Plata's a different kind of Maryland record market than Baltimore or D.C. What does your local crowd actually look for?

Right now 80’s - 90’s R&B and all Rap is super hot right now. It’s really fun to see such a fun mix of people and musical tastes come together!

You mentioned you're mainly interested in mid-70s and newer, and that 45s need sleeves - what led to that buying focus?

Most albums prior to 1970’s are not requested and usually stay in the shop for a while. We will soon be phasing out of 45’s, again b/c the market for them is so small

When someone brings records in for evaluation, what makes that process go smoothly on both ends?

We do our best to try and get back to people within 48 hours but sometimes we get more than we can handle and it takes a little longer. So giving us the time needed is always appreciated. Also if the records are all in the right sleeves and fairly clean that makes the process a lot faster on our end

Are there genres from the late 70s onward you're especially glad to see come through the door?

Soul, funk, rap, and punk

What should a first-time seller know about condition and sleeves before they even visit?

If you need gloves to touch it or flip through then it probably isnt worth anything.

What's a record that's been a surprisingly strong seller lately?

Michael Jackson has had a massive resurgence

Is there a type of collection you wish more people brought in?

Punk/ 80-90’s anything

What's the most common thing sellers get wrong before they show up?

That just b/c it’s old means that it’s worth a lot. Some records of course can be worth a lot but for instance the Beatles pressed so so many copies that the likely hood of you having the rare one is slim.

What would you want someone outside La Plata to know about the shop?

We are inside of the all female shop, shop 53 tattoo, and if we dont have it I can usually get it in like 3 days:)

FAQ

What records is Bird City most interested in?

Bird City is especially interested in soul, funk, rap, punk, and 80s-90s material.

What should sellers know before visiting Bird City?

Records should be reasonably clean, in the right sleeves, and not in a condition where you would need gloves to handle them.

Last updated: 2026-08-14

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