It is. However, this place used to be a big Boston haunt, or at least one of mine. They were driven out of their home on the border of Allston by rising rent prices, and let’s be honest, the students. They can be great, but there are just so many of them.

There are two IYE locations, both of which are within a mile of each other. There’s the one near a brewery that’s well-organized, and there’s the one on Main St. that’s not. In BLTN I listed the address of the organized store just in case less strange people want to go, but my secret is that I’m a regular at the Main St. location. 

I like to hunt for new music, to be surprised, and the cluttered version of IYE lets me do that. They’ve got some incredible music, but you have to dedicate some time to digging around. For me, that’s half the fun. 

The owner – or at least the person behind the desk most often – is knowledgeable, personable, and fascinating. He’s fun to talk to and seems to know everything about everyone in the music industry, especially locally. He’s told me stories about closed-down presses, old record labels, and bands that broke up years ago. I always walk out feeling like I talked to a music sage. 

The last few times I visited, I was happy to see young people in his shop. There were several newly-edgy teens walking around, elbow-deep in the CD bins and giggling to each other. Like Milo, I’m convinced that young people are starting to get back into analog media, and their presence (3 weekends in a row) only confirmed that for me.

I’m not that old, but I’m old enough to know it’s comforting to hold the thing you love in your hands. 

Go to In Your Ear. It’s worth the drive from Boston, and you’ll find new music to love. They also sell vintage art. 

Address:  462 Main St., Warren, RI

Instagram for the Warren St. store: @in.your.ear

Author:

RK, Asst. Editor of BLTN