A lifelong music lover who found her way into record retail and never left, Paige Brodsky is the Store Manager of Streetlight Records in San Jose and oversees marketing and promotions for both Streetlight locations, including Santa Cruz. What began as a short-term job grew into a career. Known for her deep knowledge and customer-first approach, Paige plays a key role in shaping the in-store experience and public voice of Streetlight Records. Her path reflects how many meaningful vinyl careers begin.

Streetlight Records is a Northern California institution, founded in 1975 and now operating longtime locations in San Jose and Santa Cruz. Known for its deep used and new selection, buy/sell/trade culture, and knowledgeable staff, Streetlight has remained a cornerstone of local music communities for decades. More than a retail space, it serves as a cultural hub where discovery, conversation, and connection are central to the experience.

Outside of work, Paige says "I live in a beautiful area and love to make use of the multitude of hiking trails and parks nearby. My hubby and I both have record collections (stored separately, with his and hers turntables) and love nothing more than listening to records while cooking and eating dinner. And, of course, going to see live shows."

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

I worked at Peaches Records and Tapes in Columbia, SC right after college for a year and then moved to San Francisco. I saw a Help Wanted sign in the window of Streetlight Records and thought, "I'll apply here and if I get the job, I can figure out later what I want to do with my life." Thirty six years later, I'm still working for Streetlight and loving it!

The business and my role have grown substantially over the years, and I've never gotten bored. I particularly love the connection we have with other record stores across the country through the Record Store Day organization and the indie record store coalitions. 

What is a day in the life like?

On a given day, I might do any or all of the following: price LPs and CDs; buy used product for the store either at the store or via house call; help customers; answer phones; personnel management tasks; update the Employee Handbook; book / host in-store performances and listening parties; send out events updates to our media contacts; take care of bank deposits; calculate sales comparisons. Plus a bunch of things I can't even think of right now. My favorite job hobby is pricing the Classical CDs and LPs. It's my happy place.

Favorite sale / relationship made from behind the counter?

I've made so many important and long-lasting friendships from behind the counter, that it's too many to count at this point. I met my hubby at work when he was playing an in-store performance with a friend of mine, so I count that one as the most significant.

In your opinion what has been the coolest thing to come through your shop / thing you had to keep / almost couldn't put out for sale:

Decades ago, I passed up an opportunity to buy The Easybeats "Friday On My Mind" album from 1967. When I saw it at a different record store I kicked myself for that. After waiting about twenty five years, another copy came my way and I couldn't let it go again. Love that record!

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

Our staff very much has a family feel to it. We all care about one another deeply and are always there to offer support for one another. Hands down, the hardest thing I have ever had to do is to tell the staff that one of our employees passed away. Sadly, it has happened several times. It's the worst thing in the world, yet the most meaningful. Grief and pain is sometimes the price we pay for loving each other.

What has been the craziest experience that has happened at the shop?

Three things come to mind.

The first was an in-store performance by Angelo Moore (Fishbone) many, many years ago. That guy had so much energy and ran all over the store while playing his sax to an adoring crowd.

Another in-store performance for the record books was a Tegan and Sara show. That's when we found out that we really can fit 550 people in our store!

The third was unrelated to the store's business, but involved our building. Someone from the business next door was revving his motorcycle, lost control of it, crossed into our parking lot and hit our wall and steel garbage can. His foot was severed off. I wasn't working that day, but our staff handled the whole thing like champs. They took care of the guy, called emergency services and stayed with him until he could be transported to the hospital which is luckily only a half-a-mile away.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you're doing?  

The first step is getting your foot in the door at your local record store!

Ask if you can volunteer to help with an upcoming event they have. Get to know the staff by shopping and hanging out there, so your name is the first one they think of when they have an opening.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you're excited or worried about?  i.e. innovation, or trends you're seeing.

Vinyl sales have grown for the past nineteen years and that upward swing seems nowhere near its end. This makes me extremely happy! Watching a new generation of young folks get into vinyl and the beauty it can bring to their lives is so rewarding and heartwarming, that I almost don't have the words.

I worried for years that the relevance of vinyl was lessening and that the younger generation would never know the joys of popping a record on for its first spin, having listening sessions in their bedroom/living room or the fun of shopping the crates and bins at the local indie record shop. I no longer have that fear and get to connect with new people all the time about how fun it is to collect records.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself?  What drew you to it?

I do collect vinyl, which started when I was in college. I worked in college radio from 1984-1988, when vinyl was the primary format. Because of my interest in vinyl, I got a job at the local record store after graduation and then again when I moved across the country a year later. I have about 1,500 records now and my hubby has about 2,000. Plus, we have a large number of CDs, too.

Who has been influential to you and your growth as a professional in this industry?

Alayna Alderman co-owner of Record Archive in Rochester, NY, has long been an inspiration to me. Her enthusiasm, energy and dedication to building and maintaining relationships in the industry are exemplary. She retired recently and I miss her dearly.

Andrea Paschal, Executive Director of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, has been instrumental in showing me the larger picture of the industry and how all the pieces fit together. Plus so many more: Annie Skinner of Indy CD & Vinyl, Mary Jean of Curious Collections; Nancy Salzer of Salzer's Records; Dawn Novak of Electric Fetus, Carrie Colliton of Record Store Day; Anna Lundy of Grimey's; Luann Myers of Alliance of Independent Media Stores. I could go on and on!

Anything else you want to share? If not, tell us what you're listening to right now?

Classical music has long been a love of mine, but it's finding its way to my turntable more often these days than other genres.

I still love rock, jazz, soul, Americana and others, but a good Classical performance on a well pressed record can't be beat.