Shakespeare described music as “the food of love.” But today, music barely gets a chance to breathe. The instinct is to sample and skip. The Revolver Club seeks to fix the ‘two-minute’ trend of listening, and instead, foster a more peaceful connection with music.
After years of spinning records and building a tight-knit vinyl community in Mumbai, The Revolver Club has finally brought its passion to Hyderabad.
As one walks into its new home in the city, the quiet is palpable. Then, a needle drops, and music fills the room. There’s no place for clicks or skips. It’s there for the duration.
“We kept hearing from people in Hyderabad who bought records from us but had nowhere to go [to belong],” says Jude de Souza, Founder & CEO. “The energy here felt right — curious, open, with a nice mix of old-school collectors and newer fans.”
Director Mihir Lapalikar adds, “Hyderabad’s music taste is diverse. You’ll meet someone who loves metal, another who’s into ghazals, and someone else who plays techno on weekends. Our collection reflects that range.”
Their approach feels personal, not preachy. They don’t tell you what to listen to — they help you find your groove.
A new spin
Vinyl isn’t new. But how people connect with it today is. “Records bring a kind of stillness,” says Prerna Kolluri, Design Lead at Katha Coffee (Revolver Club’s Hyderabad partner). “You drop the needle, and you’re in. You’re not shuffling or skipping. You’re present.”
More people are slowly turning into home listeners, and The Revolver Club offers something that feels warm and real. When C. Vasini and her friend Satya P wandered in, they didn’t expect much. “But it felt oddly personal,” Vasini says. “Now we host vinyl sessions at home. Three albums, some close friends, slow conversation. The ‘feel’ is something streaming never achieved.”
For others, it’s creative. 21-year-old filmmaker Abhinav Vankaesn bought a jazz record on a whim. “It changed how I compose,” he says. “With vinyl, you can’t skip. You literally stay on the track. You hear the breath between notes.”
Beyond nostalgia
Vinyl’s return isn’t about looking back; it’s about listening better. “People want something real,” Jude says. “Streaming is easy, but it can feel disposable. Records ask you to sit down and hear the music.”
It’s not just the old guard coming back to vinyl either. Young artistes in Hyderabad are pressing albums, hosting listening sessions, and using records during sets. “It’s still early, but it’s happening,” Mihir shares. “More artistes are thinking about how their work sounds on wax.”
Even their plug-and-play EZ-Fi systems are built for this new wave — sleek, simple, but rich in sound. “The hardest part was making it sound great without making it complicated,” says Jude. “We tested a lot, listened even more.”
A movement
What sets The Revolver Club apart is that it doesn’t feel like a shop. It feels like the living room of someone with an amazing turntable and great taste.
“We’re not just selling gear,” says Mihir. “We’re helping people build a relationship with music again. Whether it’s their first record or their tenth speaker upgrade, we’re there.”
Prerna puts it simply: “It’s about community. About giving Hyderabad’s listeners a place to come together, not just to buy, but to belong.”
