Vinyl Record Store Still Going Strong Despite Changes In Music Forms And Shopping Trends: Vinyl is still a big part of a lot of people’s music collections and that’s something that will never change according to the owner of Backstreet Records on Germain Street in uptown Saint John. Gordie Tufts says he’s seen vinyl over the years make way for the CD and then MP3, but now people are realizing the quality there is in vinyl and have returned to the fold or are experiencing it for the first time. Tufts also doesn’t worry about online music buyers because he knows collectors will come in to flip through the racks every week looking for new vinyl or hidden gems they may be seeking out. Tufts says he has been selling vinyl for 37 years and doubt’s it is going away anytime soon.
Backbeats Records brings vinyl back to Posey County: Backbeat Records and Just Looking Antiques is a combination shop that opened up on Main Street in New Harmony earlier this summer. The store is owned and operated by husband and wife Don and Rebecca Boskey, who relocated their 2-in-1 store from Central Illinois. Backbeat Records specializes in high quality used vinyl, and also carries used CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks and a variety of other music-related items like sheet music, posters and vintage music magazines. “I tend to carry things that I enjoy listening to,” said Don, who said he favors rock and jazz, but also has country, blues and other genres. “We carry a lot of the classics, but you honestly never know what you may find here.”
Amazon Launches in Australia, But It’s ‘Business As Usual’ for Record Stores: “ARIA welcomes Amazon’s entry into Australia,” a spokesperson for the trade body tells Billboard in a statement. “We promote a healthy and vibrant music market as the more options consumers have to access music from licensed services, the better it is for our thriving industry.” Record retailers remain unfazed by the newcomer and its big reputation. “Amazon can’t compete with flicking through the racks, hearing a local band live before they make it big, hanging with other music lovers and just talking nonsense about your favorite bands, and Amazon can’t compete with Record Store Day,” says Dave Clarke, chair of the Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA). “So for record stores in Australia this is just business as usual.”
Digital music is convenient, but vinyl is in demand: According to Apple, the 25 billionth song was downloaded on iTunes in 2013. But today, there is a push to bring back the sound of the vinyl record that has filled the air with music since its inception in the 1800s. According to Dave Rodgers, owner of Lucky Records, there are many reasons for the resurgence of vinyl. “Part of it is that people want something tangible,” he said. “Something that they can engage with. When you are playing a record you pay more attention to it. That experience is what people are looking for.” An exact reason for the vinyl comeback is hard to pinpoint, but the demand is there. “Part of it is nostalgia, part of it is sound quality, there are many elements to it’s comeback,” he said.
Shark Tank: RokBlok Portable Record Player Accepts $500,000 Offer from Robert Herjavec: The sharks are intrigued by the modern twist on a retro music accessory. Barbara Corcoran thinks it’s “remarkable” and Robert Herjavec finds the wooden case very cool. Mark Cuban worries, however, that those who cherish their vinyl records would not transport them. After Riley, who has a background in audio engineering, launched a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2016 and raised more than $350,000, he pre-sold $60,000 worth of RokBlok players. Corcoran thinks it’s too early for an investment and goes out, followed by Cuban—who worries that there’s not a big enough market. Kevin O’Leary likes the potential for a niche market and offers $300,000 for 50 percent. Lori Greiner agrees that it’s “clever” but finds it too expensive.
The Beatles ‘Love Me Do’ Single Breaks Discogs Most Expensive Single Sales Record, The Beatles single falls $243.00US short of breaking the all-time record held by Prince: The Beatles first demonstration single for Parlophone ‘Love Me Do’ has been officially confirmed as sold through Discogs for $14,757.00US (£11,250.00) breaking a Discogs sales record for a 7″ single. Released on October 5, 1962, this is one of only 250 issued with McCartney (McArtney) incorrectly spelled in the writing credit. The single was purchased through Discogs nearly 55 years to the day of release, having sold on October 9, 2017. More information on The Beatles ‘Love Me Do’ single can be found in the Discogs Database here.
Pro-ject promises satisfaction with Rolling Stones turntable: Hi-Fi specialist Pro-Ject Audio Systems has launched a turntable in partnership with The Rolling Stones. The new addition to the brand’s Artist Series of special edition, follows collaborations featuring The Beatles, George Harrison and Parov Stelar. The deck sports the iconic Stones lips, first commissioned by lead singer Mick Jagger in 1970. The turntable is an iteration of Pro-Ject’s own Debut III model. It features a non-resonant MDF plinth, decoupling feet and belt-drive system, along with a metal platter and an 8.6-inch aluminium tonearm with Ortofon OM 10 cartridge. The record player is likely to appeal to both vinyl junkies and memorabilia collectors. Simon Powell, Operations Manager at Henley Audio, distributor of Pro-Ject, says there’s a clear synergy between style and audio performance.
November Hi-Fi Show is another smash: MANILA — Another year, another weekend for audio enthusiasts all over the Philippines to converge and enjoy their passion for music. The annual November Hi-Fi Show held last weekend saw local and foreign audio equipment manufacturers and music enthusiasts descend at the Dusit Thani Hotel to check out the latest audio entertainment system as well to feast on the vinyl records on sale. “Fifteen years and we’re growing,” said organizer and founder Tonyboy De Leon. “This is the first year where we have this audio manufacturer from Hong Kong who I have been inviting for quite a while now. We have manufacturers from Australia, France, Japan, and the USA to represent their brands. So you can say that we have had a regional impact.”
