Ride On Super Sound

MondayClosed.

TuesdayClosed.

Wednesday12:00 – 6:00 pm.

Thursday12:00 – 6:00 pm.

Friday12:00 – 6:00 pm.

Saturday12:00 – 5:00 pm.

Sunday12:00 – 5:00 pm.

266 St Asaph St, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

021 268 5110

Remember the days of sampling and buying music and books from a brick-and-mortar establishment? Flicking through rows of album covers and popping on headphones to preview a selection of CDs, or becoming so engrossed in a book that you accidentally read the whole thing before leaving the shop?

If you’re more about the kind of library that can’t fit in your pocket, Ride on Super Sound is a treasure trove of records, comics, zines waiting for you. Winding your through BOXed Quarter, once inside the store you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled across a passionate individual’s carefully curated collection of music and obscure reads. Which, in a way, you have. 

A pyramidal display sits in the middle of the room, mirroring the inwards-slanting timber-panelled ceiling that encases the space. Merch and framed posters hang above the record sleeves that line the walls, while the robo-vacuum cleaner bumping around the floor is a reminder that despite the cassette tapes this back-to-the-future setting is more future than past.

Ride on Super Sound is co-owned and operated by a group of volunteers who took it upon themselves to create more than just an independent record store. It’s a celebration of the local and international musicians, authors, and illustrators that fill their shelves, and an opportunity to support a local business that exists not for profits but solely to share their love of eclectic wares. Between the co-owners, there is an impressive skill set on offer from fixing lamps to lathe-cutting records, as well as an encyclopaedic knowledge of the music collection – you’d gladly hear an artist recommendation from these humans.

For some out-of-the-box finds, head to the niche wonderland that is Ride on Super Sound.

Words by Izzie Thompson & Photography by Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

266 St Asaph St, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Nearby Places

Shopology

Exterior of retail shop Shopology.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Goods key icon.

Calling Riverside Lane home, Shopology is the place to go in Christchurch when you need something special or a nice dose of retail therapy.

Earl

Nighttime exterior of Earl.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

An enduring cornerstone of Christchurch’s East Block, Earl is a locally owned and loved institution that first brought European bistro culture to the city in 2018.

Grizzly Baked Goods CBD

Bread, croissants and sandwiches behind glass at Grizzly Baked Goods in the Christchurch CBD.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

Grizzly's shop at The Welder offers classic sourdough breads as well as cookies, donuts, sammies, bear claws and croissants.

Nifty

Bright pink building exterior of Nifty.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Stay and explore key icon. Fashion key icon. Markets key icon.

Driving along the industrial end of Christchurch's Cashel Street, you don’t expect to come across a pale pink pop of colour that is the Nifty building.

Similar Places

Untouched World

Close up of shoes and book on display.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Fashion key icon. Goods key icon.

The only fashion company in the world to be recognised by the United Nations for sustainability, Untouched World is a true leader in the field of ethical lifestyle fashion.

Mod's Hair

A woman blow drying hair inside Mod's Merivale hairdresser in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Services key icon.

Let’s be honest – lovely as they both are – Merivale and Paris aren’t exactly twins. But thanks to Mod's Hair, the two places are connected just that little bit more.

Nifty

Bright pink building exterior of Nifty.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Stay and explore key icon. Fashion key icon. Markets key icon.

Driving along the industrial end of Christchurch's Cashel Street, you don’t expect to come across a pale pink pop of colour that is the Nifty building.

Shopology

Exterior of retail shop Shopology.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Goods key icon.

Calling Riverside Lane home, Shopology is the place to go in Christchurch when you need something special or a nice dose of retail therapy.