Siples Records

Siples Records in Terre Haute carries vinyl, CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks, and other physical formats for collectors across generations. In this interview, the owner explains the shop’s multi-format approach, what sells, and the standout records that have passed through the door.

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Interview with Siples Records

Siples Records claims the largest cassette selection in the area alongside vinyl, CDs and 8-tracks — that's a very specific commitment to formats most shops treat as legacy. What made cassettes and 8-tracks a real part of the shop's identity rather than a curiosity shelf?

I grew up listening to my Dad's cassettes and I still remember buying cassettes in the '90s. Cassettes have been making a slow comeback for a while now and I want to be able to help everyone get the tapes they're looking for. 8-Tracks on the other hand have not been making a comeback, but they still have their own following. While they're slower than any other format, I still think it's necessary to carry them. I remember my best friend's Dad having 8-Tracks in his garage. I thought they were insanely cool! It's always fun to see the older generation showing the new generation what an 8-Track is! Ever since I opened, my main objective has been to carry all possible media formats and let the customer decide which one they want to embrace.

Terre Haute has its own western-Indiana character — the Wabash River, Indiana State, the mix of college town and older industrial city. For someone visiting the shop, what else on Crawford Street or in the area is worth their afternoon?

There are lots of great Terre Haute attractions, but the closest to us is Charlie's Pub & Grub. It's hands down the best bar/restaurant in the area and they have live music every week!

Between Indiana State students, Terre Haute locals, and the wider Wabash Valley crowd, you catch a wide range. Who actually walks in and buys, and how has that shaped what you stock?

We get all different age groups and types of people coming into the store. It's everyone from young kids in school who are just now seeing what physical media is all about to people in their '70s and older that are wanting to get back into the hobby. It's been a learning process on what to stock in the store and it's ever-changing. Classic rock, heavy metal, jazz and '80s anything seem to do the best. We have been seeing a major uptick in the need for hip hop and have been stocking more and more of it.

The multi-format approach — vinyl + CDs + cassettes + 8-tracks — means each format has its own market and its own rules. Which of them actually moves, which is a passion project, and what have you learned about running the cassette side specifically?

Vinyl, as it should be, is king. I don't think that is going to change. The call for used vinyl and new vinyl releases is never-ending. Used CDs are making a huge comeback and the call for those is continuously growing. 8-Tracks and 7" singles are pretty slow moving, but there are collectors who come in and buy a lot at once. With cassettes, it can be pretty specific as to what sells and what sits. As with vinyl, classic rock, heavy metal, '80s and hip hop sell very well. Country, older pop and R&B tend to sit.

On the buying side: what genres are you actively hunting for right now, and what do you tend to pass on?

We are always looking for vinyl records! Classic rock, heavy metal, hip hop, jazz, outlaw country, R&B and even disco are at the top of our lists. We do have to be picky with country and jazz. While we have a decent amount of classical, international and older pop, we don't take a lot of that in.

What quietly turns out to be worth more at Siples than sellers expect — a record, tape or 8-track they'd almost throw in the free pile that you're always glad to see?

Rare records, '80s 8-Tracks and late '90s/early 00's cassettes can be very valuable. That's why we are always happy to look at any collection. You just never know what something might be worth!

Record release parties are a specific kind of event. Which ones have really landed at Siples, and what have they taught you about the Terre Haute music community?

Record release parties are great! We have had some great ones and even some duds. Twenty One Pilots was absolutely our biggest. We had great turnouts for Weezer, Deftones and other rock releases.

What's the wildest single item — record, tape, 8-track, or whole collection — that's come through the door?

We had an original first pressing of Billy Wooten's The Wooden Glass come through that ended up selling for over $1700 and not even a month later had an original 1958 mono Blue Note John Coltrane - Blue Train come through that sold for over $1500. Again, you just never know!

Last updated: 2026-09-30

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