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| - Zia has been my go-to record store--the Thunderbird ocation in particular--since I moved to Phoenix, and that is longer ago than I care to admit. I can--and have--literally spent hours browsing in this place, and try as I might I cannot escape without buying something....curse you, Zia, curse you! ;-)
Zia's basic gimmick is that they buy, sell, and trade used music. The first time I came here I walked in with a bunch of LPs and cassettes left over from my college days that I no longer listened to (and truthfully was a bit embarrassed to admit I had once liked....*cough* Poison *cough*...) and I walked out with the same amount of new music in the form of used CDs! (And a few cassettes...it was awhile ago, okay? Though I hear cassettes are making a bit of a hipster comeback...)
What impresses me most about Zia is the depth and breadth of their music selection, including a lot of rare, independent, import and hard-to-find stuff. My personal best finds here include a cassette copy of the Gin Blossoms' first, self-released album and several CDs from the Northside label, which specializes in artists who play traditional Scandanavian music. (Check out Vasen and Garmana if you are curious!) This Zia also has a designated Metal section (which as a die-hard metalhead I appreciate!) that has yielded some great finds, including a copy of Agalloch's "Pale Folklore" that I got used, in great condition, for a fraction of the price I would have paid on Amazon! There's even a pretty fair section of Classical, Jazz and Blues CDs. Don't see something you want, or looking for something specific? Ask the staff; if they don't have it in store, they can check to see if it is in stock at another Zia location, or maybe order it. CDs are still the predominant form of music, but Zia has always had a decent Vinyl selection and this collection has expanded of late as Vinyl becomes popular again.
Of course Zia also has the latest new releases for sale, and in-store appearances by artists. There's decent selection of posters, magazines, stickers, buttons, jewelry and T-shirts. We all know the music industry is in a state of flux as digital downloads--legal and otherwise--replace physical product, and record stores that do not evolve with the times die out. Accordingly, Zia has increased its selection of accessory items, and added other products like DVDs, video games, collectables, and (most recently) used books.
Industry trends are likely the reason for another recent change I have noticed (and it's why they lose a star): They've become very picky about the used stuff they take in. Bottom line: if it is not in pristine condition, or something truly unique or rare, don't bother bringing it in, they aren't going to take it. That means better quality stuff for buyers, but less luck for sellers and/or traders. (Word of advice: if you're like me and cannot bear to just toss your less-than-pristine, unwanted CDs, DVDs, etc. in the trash, you can donate them to Goodwill!)
Like all good record stores, the Thunderbird Zia has a suitably funky, counter-culture atmosphere, and based on the staff it would appear you're required to have tattoos, piercings and/or unnaturally colored hair to work here. But as a very average-looking, middle-aged female I have never been uncomfortable shopping here. You'll see everyone from teenage emo kids clad head-to-toe in black, to long-haired metalheads, to snowbirds in their shorts and spring-training baseball caps at Zia!
Zia Record Exchange is truly one of my favorite places to hang out in Phoenix, and anyone who considers themselves a Phoenician needs to make a pilgrimage to one of their stores at least once. Highly recommended.
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