St. Vincent Named Record Store Day 2017 Ambassador in Hilarious New Video: Watch, Annie Clark trains to become the ambassador for a small, nonexistent island named “Recordstorda”: St. Vincent is the ambassador for Record Store Day 2017. Along with today’s announcement, Annie Clark stars in a hilarious video, made by Funny or Die, that involves her training to become the ambassador for a small, nonexistent island called “Recordstorda.” Watch it below. Last year’s RSD ambassador was Metallica, and previous ones include Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne, Jack White, Chuck D, and Dave Grohl. Record Store Day will take place on April 22.
Vinyl records having a renaissance with sales at their highest since the 1990s: Vinyl records are making a comeback with sales reaching a 25-year high last year. More than 3 million LPs were bought last year, up over 50% on 2015 and the highest number since 1991, when Simply Red topped the charts. “In terms of sales and what’s been happening with vinyl, it’s become a very collectible area. So people are finding they can, because of streaming services, they’re freeing up their cash to go and buy items that are probably a bit more desirable.”
Rise in vinyl record popularity may be here to stay: The vinyl record is the antithesis of what streaming represents. Where Spotify essentially offers continuous rentals, vinyl records give the status of ownership. Where Apple Music keeps art-work sequestered to the corner of the screen, vinyl records come in a 31.43 cm square, boasting a large version of the album cover, supplementary artwork and liner notes. Where TIDAL is available through any computer or internet enabled device, vinyl records actually require a physical exchange, which cultivates exterior relationships.
Start the presses! World’s latest innovation in vinyl records now spinning in Addison: Dallas-based Hand Drawn Records began as a label and artist management company in 2011 and eventually expanded into record brokering under the moniker Hand Drawn Pressing to better serve the needs of its bands. Business on the pressing side was booming, which led Hand Drawn co-founder and chief creative officer Dustin Blocker to consider opening his own manufacturing plant. But there was one problem: The equipment necessary to do so was outdated.
Amarillo man proud to be longtime music lover, collector: Not sure where George Deahl is on the seven steps of grief — maybe it isn’t any of the seven steps — but just a nostalgic twang every time he looks into his room full of music or passes the empty shells of the stores around town. “Pretty bad, honestly,” said Deahl, 60, of his withdrawal pains. “I’m not happy about it, but there’s nothing I can say or do to bring it back.” The Amarillo Globe-News reports Deahl is a lifelong music collector, mainly the vintage vinyl records and CDs. One of his go-to places was Hastings, the Amarillo-based chain of music, video and books that closed after 48 years in late October.
