Wall of Sound (Seattle)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music retail |
| Founded | May 1990 |
| Founder | Mark Sullo, Eric Hoffman |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Area served | Seattle, Washington |
Key people | Jeffrey Taylor, Michael Ohlenroth (owners since 2000) |
| Products | Vinyl records, music retail |
Wall of Sound is a record shop situated in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington state.
Description
Specializing in avant-garde, experimental, and global music styles, Wall of Sound offers a thoughtfully curated assortment encompassing electronic jazz, Japanese noise, industrial, indie, alternative, art rock, free jazz, folk, ambient, electro-acoustic, and neo-classical genres. Shane Handler of Glide magazine notes that the store appeals to knowledgeable listeners with an emphasis on avant-garde/experimental and international music. Described by The Seattle Times as "small but meticulously curated," the shop is also recognized by Fodor's for its collection of rare and adventurous selections such as Japanese avant-rock on vinyl and spiritual reggae infused with Afro-jazz elements.
History
Wall of Sound was established by Mark Sullo and Eric Hoffman in May 1990 within Seattle's Belltown district. In 2000, ownership transitioned to Jeffrey Taylor and Michael Ohlenroth. The business moved to Pine Street on Capitol Hill in 2003 before relocating again to the intersection of 12th Avenue and Pike Street.
Beginning in January 2004, Wall of Sound initiated sponsorship of monthly concerts at the Jewel Box Theater to support both the store and local musicians. Additionally, the shop actively participates in Record Store Day, offering exclusive promotions.
Reception
Shane Handler from Glide magazine referred to Wall of Sound as "the Waldorf Astoria of record shops," highlighting its attraction to discerning vinyl collectors and noting visits from artists including Bjork and Pink. Brendan Sainsbury of Lonely Planet emphasized the store’s dedication to avant-garde and specialized genres like ‘Japanoise,’ describing it as a sanctuary for aficionados of obscure music.
In the 2016 readers' poll by Seattle Weekly, Wall of Sound received an honorable mention in the Best Record Store category. The following year, Dave Segal of The Stranger ranked it among Seattle’s top five vinyl retailers, commending its expertly assembled selection of rare and eclectic international vinyl records.