Tony Assimos knows what it takes to run an independent record store. He opened Tone Deaf Records in the Portage Park neighborhood of Chicago in 2019. He talks about the good times and the challenges, including navigating COVID with a new business. And, of course, he tells us what he loves about Chicago. Enjoy!

Time stamps:

1:26: We are here with Tony Assimos from Tone Def Records

2: How did you get your start owning a record store?

3: Buying collections off of people, how does that work?

4: Are you looking for specific records or just taking what you can get?

5:34: Greatest find in buying record collections?

8:07: How did you get the word out about the record store?

9:34: What are the challenges you face?

11:32: What pushed you to make owning a record store a reality?

13:37: Was there a local record shop in the Bay Area that was instrumental in your music education?

16: What does success look like to you?

19:30: How is it having shows at the store?

21:45: How did you come up with the name of the store?

22:45: What is the process like of acquiring new music?

24:10: How does the process work of getting involved in Record Store Day?

27:50: How did you navigate the Covid waters?

31: What is the process like of a local band selling their album at your store?/Why is it important to support local bands?

36:40: How do you get the guy wondering the shop for hours to leave the store?

38:17: Favorite part of owning and running a record store?

39:45: Tell us a story of weird encounters of buying records from people

43:40: Do you have a holy grail album?

46:40: Any dream band to get to play in the shop?

47:45: Thick or thin crust pizza?

48:40: Favorite music venue?

50: What makes the Chicago music scene unique?

53:40: What have you been listening to lately?

55:45: Favorite cheap drink?