Author Archives: TVD HQ

TVD Radar: Elaine Brown, Seize the Time deep purple vinyl reissue in stores 5/3

VIA PRESS RELEASE | Elaine Brown has led a life of distinction. Appointed in August 1974 by Huey Newton from his exile in Cuba to be the one and only female leader of the Black Panther Party, Elaine has pursued a career of community service that continues to this day.

But her debut 1969 album Seize the Time leaves one wondering what would have happened had she not put her musical career second. She was first discovered as a performer while singing Thomas Dorsey’s “Precious Lord” at the funeral service for Panther Bunchy Carter.

Afterwards, Panther’s Chief of Staff David Hilliard had her audition for him accompanying herself on piano. That session led to her composition “The Meeting” (about an encounter with Eldridge Cleaver) being adopted as the Black Panther Party National Anthem, and an album was commissioned.

Elaine enlisted Los Angeles jazz legend Horace Tapscott and his Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra to arrange and back her, and Seize the Time was born—which the Black Panther Party’s newspaper called “the first songs of the American revolution.”

Blending influences ranging from Bob Dylan to classical, and anchored by Elaine’s powerful delivery of her deeply-felt lyrics, this album will stir your blood whether you agree with its politics or not. Now, with the cooperation of Elaine Brown herself, Seize the Time sees its first-ever American LP reissue, complete with original “uni-pak” packaging featuring lyrics and liner notes, plus an insert with new liner notes by Pat Thomas, author of Listen Whitey! The Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975. Limited run of 950 copies in deep purple vinyl.

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In rotation: 3/18/24

Newport, UK | Triple A destination for vinyl fans: Two music lovers have opened a new record shop in Newport. Andy Barding, who opened the original AAA Records in Scarrots Lane nearly five years ago, and Jonathan Bacon opened the new AAA Records Store at 111–112 St James’ Street on Saturday. The shop will primarily stock vinyl LPs and singles, but will also be selling all hard copy formats of music including CDs, cassette tapes and 78s, as well as music supplies for performers and enthusiasts. There’s even a partnership with Medina Bookshop, with an area of the shop dedicated to books on music and musicians. The pair have plans to expand over the coming weeks, including exhibitions highlighting Island music heritage and history, following on from the recent ‘Needles in the Groove’ exhibition in Ryde, curated by Andy. There will also be in-store events and performances.

Indianapolis, IN | The Record Store: Seasoned Owner Tells Us How Much (and How Little) Record Stores Have Changed: Meet James Ector co-owner of Karma Records in Indianapolis. “I want to show you something cool,” says James Ector, co-owner of Karma Records in Indianapolis. Wearing a dark hoodie over a Cheap Trick T-shirt, he grabs a Ziploc baggie from an old filing cabinet—covered with generations of stickers—and slides out a black-and-white photo. “A customer brought this in to us. That’s Van Halen.” Ector points to the man in the middle, who looks like Billy Joel but is actually a local DJ popular in ‘70s and ‘80s, and he’s flanked by four guys who looked like they’ve been up all night. They’re all holding T-shirts and visors emblazoned with the Karma logo. On the far end is Indiana native David Lee Roth, looking both painfully hungover and ready for the next party. “This would have been their first tour, when they were opening for Black Sabbath,” he says.” They stopped by Karma.

FL | Top 5 vinyl record stores in South Florida: Vinyl records are making a massive comeback and South Florida is a vinyl scene. Miami offers a vibrant and diverse vinyl culture that will leave music lovers wanting more. You will be able to find vinyl from classic rock to hip-hop and everything in between. If you’re a music lover and looking for some awesome record stores in Miami, you’re in luck. Technique Records: Whether you want to buy, sell, or trade, Technique Records is the place for you. Known for its extensive collection of rare-used vinyl, Technique Records is a haven for vinyl collectors and enthusiasts. Providing different genres like Alternative, Garage, House and Latin. Michael Ramirez and his team have welcomed music enthusiasts since 2018. Ramirez stated his demographics have changed over the years with more women becoming interested in vinyl collections and a youthful crowd gathering. Ramirez feels confident that with his team, they can pay attention to trends and upcoming artists…

Fischer, TX | Yard Sale Records joins Hill Country music scene with brick-and-mortar: The shop offers new and used vinyl, books, magazines, posters, and vintage clothing. Vinyl record lovers have a new spot in the Hill Country with the opening of a new brick-and-mortar record store. Music lovers now have a go-to for all things new and old in the music scene. Yard Sale Records opened its “little piece of vinyl heaven” on Friday, March 1, at 880 Elliot Knox Blvd., Ste. 600, New Braunfels, located off Elliot Knox Boulevard near S. Walnut Avenue. The shop offers an assortment of new and used vinyl, books, magazines, posters, and select vintage clothing. Records at the shop are curated to support locals’ interests. Some genres sold at the shop include honky-tonk, Texas garage rock, and indie vinyl. Owner Howard Lovell expanded his business after three years of selling vinyls at pop-up markets in Central Texas across the Hill Country and in Austin. Lovell told MySA he chose to set up his shop in the Germantown because it was not only his home, but also for its community support.

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TVD Radar: Pink Floyd, Animals 2018 Remix
Blu-Ray/Dolby Atmos Mix in stores 5/17

VIA PRESS RELEASE | Warner Music, Sony Music outside of Europe, today announced the upcoming release of Pink Floyd’s Animals 2018 Remix – Dolby Atmos on Blu-ray and compatible digital platforms. This version will be available on May 17, 2024 and it is the first time the album will be available in Dolby Atmos.

Animals is the tenth studio album by Pink Floyd, originally released in January 1977. It was recorded at the band’s Britannia Row Studios in London throughout 1976 and early 1977, and was produced by the band themselves. The successful album peaked at number 2 in the UK and number 3 in the US and was recorded by band members David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright. The Animals 2018 Remix – Dolby Atmos, by James Guthrie, will be released on Blu-ray, which includes High Resolution Stereo and 5.1 Mixes alongside the 1977 Original Stereo Mix, and digitally. The Dolby Atmos mix goes beyond ordinary listening by immersing the listener in the music, revealing details with unparalleled clarity and depth. Listeners will feel like they are inside the song as music moves around and above them.

The album artwork has been reimagined especially for this release and presented in a digipak with a 16-page booklet, a sticker and a postcard. The front cover image still includes the iconic pig floating between two chimneys of the Battersea Power Station, conceived by Roger Waters. However, for this new release, the artwork has been re-created for the modern era by Storm Thorgerson’s Hipgnosis partner Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell and Peter Curzon from StormStudios, and shows the historic building as it looks now, complete with light projections, variations of which feature in the accompanying booklet.

The projections and graphics were mapped and designed by Peter Curzon for the launch of the 2018 Remix and the photography is by Rupert Truman and Benny Trickett with Aubrey Powell. The 2022 projections were executed by Pixel Arts and coordinated by Larmac Live.

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In rotation: 3/15/24

AU | Record Store Day Australia Unveils Stacked 2024 Local Release List: The Wiggles, Montaigne, Tasman Keith, and The Terrys. Following the success of last year’s event, where Aussie vinyl aficionados scrambled to get their hands on exclusive releases from Peking Duk, Ball Park Music, and more, this years Record Store Day promises to be even bigger. Set for Saturday, April 20th, Record Store Day 2024 is gearing up to celebrate the best of Aussie music with a lineup that reads like a who’s who of homegrown talent. From beloved icons like Dorothy the Dinosaur and The Wiggles to the new kids leading the pack, The Terrys, Montaigne, and Tasman Keith, the roster is busting at the gut with talent. But that’s not all! A special double LP compilation titled “Time Capsule: Australian Sounds 1985-1994” features the likes of Died Pretty, GOD, Magic Dirt, and more, offering a nostalgic journey through Australia’s musical history.

Northfield, MN | Vintage record store opens in downtown Northfield: Whenever customers walk into Verbena Vinyl, they’d better have enough time to browse the record crates, sit and listen to some tracks and banter about recordings and concerts with owner Victoria “Vicki” Scott. Scott, who opened the vintage record store at 419 Division St. S. in early January, said she’s pleased that Northfield once again has a record store downtown. Before the pandemic, the city, home to around 5,000 college students nine months of the year, had always supported a couple of independent record stores. “Currently, I’m it,” said Scott. “Except, of course, for some of the antique stores that sell old records and album covers.” In her two months of business, Scott said the weekday traffic has been a bit slow, but the weekend shoppers have more than made up for that. “I love that Northfield has a record store again,” said Katie Kes-Pick, a Northfield customer. “I’ve always had a small collection of vinyl that is now growing again.”

Glasgow, UK | Record shops of Glasgow: Remembering 8 of Glasgow’s lost record stores including Tower Records and Listen: Glasgow was recognised as the first UNESCO City of Music in 2008, with it having a vibrant music scene spread across the city which caters for anyone. A number of huge acts have been born in Glasgow with it being very little surprise that the city had some of the finest record shops going, throughout the decades. Bands such as Simple Minds, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand have all emerged from the Glasgow music scene with labels such as Alan Horne’s Postcard Records and Creation becoming legendary and writing their place in history. There has always been a desire in Glasgow for ‘new’ music as we continually search for tunes and artists that we are yet to fall in love with with some acts even giving performances at some of these locations or heading in for a browse themselves.

Minneapolis, MN | Lakota vinyl collector revitalizes Indigenous music, language one record at a time: Justis Brokenrope has collected vinyl by Native musicians for the past decade. Now he shares that music with the digital world. “You can listen to music nowadays without ever touching a CD, a record, or a tape,” said Brokenrope, who is Sicangu Lakota. “It’s just so digital and ubiquitous all the time. But to hold the physical thing and then to see yourself represented in that, and to see your community, your people, your family represented in that, I think that’s just so important for us.” A self-described shaggy-haired kid, Justis Brokenrope started collecting vinyl records near his hometown in rural Nebraska. As a young musician, he played in punk and metal bands touring the U.S. and Europe. He was in a record store in Providence, R.I., about ten years ago where he found a compilation record consisting of Indigenous North American music, and inspiration struck.

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TVD Radar: Queen, Queen Rock Montreal 3LP, 2CD, double Blu-ray in stores 5/10

VIA PRESS RELEASE | Queen Rock Montreal captures the world’s most iconic rock band at the very peak of their live powers. Recorded in 1981 and recently released as a record-breaking digitally restored IMAX concert film, this landmark moment in the band’s history is now being released as both double Blu-Ray and double 4K Ultra High Definition packages, plus double CD and triple vinyl packages. Both come May 10th the band has announced.

Queen Rock Montreal presents Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon at their most exciting and exhilarating. As Brian May puts it, this is Queen “live and dangerous.” Queen were on all-conquering form when they returned to Montreal, Canada for the fourth time in November 1981 to play two huge concerts at the 18,000-seat Forum.

This pair of Montreal concerts marked an historic moment for Queen. After their massive success in the 1970s, the band entered the ’80s bigger than ever, with the hugely successful The Game album producing their two biggest ever US singles in “Another One Bites The Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (both Billboard No.1’s), followed by the UK No.1 single “Under Pressure.”

Queen’s return to Montreal came after almost two years of touring, including their very first tours of South and Central America, which saw the band playing two nights at Sao Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium to more than 150,000 devoted fans. As a result, when the band arrived in Canada in November 1981 they were in electrifying form.

“Montreal is one of our favourite cities, it’s a great audience there, very full of energy,” says Brian May. “We’d played this particular venue, The Forum, several times before, and it was always full of really enthusiastic people giving us a lot of energy back.”

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TVD Radar: Joe Cuba Sextet, Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!) reissue in stores 5/10

VIA PRESS RELEASE | Craft Latino celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Joe Cuba Sextet’s classic Tico Records debut, Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!), with the album’s first vinyl reissue in nearly 50 years.

Freshly remastered from all-analog sources, the 1964 LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a tip-on jacket, replicating the album’s original designs. Vagabundeando! features an all-star line-up of talent, including legendary Puerto Rican vocalists Cheo Feliciano and Jimmy Sabater, plus such fan favorites as “El Ratón,” “Nina Nina,” “I Need You,” and “Oye Bien.” Set for release on May 10 and available for pre-order now, Vagabundeando! will also make its debut in 192/24 hi-res digital audio. In addition, a Lemon Yellow color vinyl exclusive with an exciting bundle option that includes a commemorative Tico Records T-shirt is available for pre-order at Fania.com.

Celebrated conguero, bandleader, and “Father of Latin Boogaloo,” Joe Cuba (1931—2009) was a foundational figure in New York’s Latin soul scene. A native of Harlem, the Puerto Rican artist (born Gilberto Miguel Calderón) learned to play the congas as a teenager while recovering from a broken leg. Before long, the young percussionist was booking gigs across the city and, in 1954, founded The Joe Cuba Sextet.

Playing alongside such stars as Tito Puente, Machito, and Tito Rodríguez, Cuba and his bandmates quickly gained a following with their swaggering showmanship and stood out from their peers with their unique instrumentation choices—including adding a vibraphonist and doing away with horns (which was unheard of at the time).

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TVD Radar: Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion 2LP 15th anniversary reissue in stores 6/28

VIA PRESS RELEASE | Animal Collective will celebrate the 15-year anniversary of their seminal album Merriweather Post Pavilion with a deluxe vinyl repress due out June 28 on Domino.

The album will be pressed to color vinyl for the first time, available as a 2xLP in Translucent Green and Bluish, and comes in a reflective foil mirrorboard gatefold jacket. A Domino Mart exclusive variant will include a 10-inch of their iconic single “My Girls” with a B-side featuring a live recording of the unreleased track “From A Beach (BBC Session)” from a 2007 BBC Radio 1 session. Merriweather Post Pavilion was universally acclaimed upon its release in 2009 and was named the #1 best album of the year by Pitchfork, Entertainment Weekly, Spin, and KEXP.

“Every once in a while, musicians sweep away the existing musical landscape to create something new,” stated NPR at the time. “Animal Collective is such a group, and its new Merriweather Post Pavilion is such an album.” It has since been recognized as one of the most influential records of the 2000s. “When it comes to 2000s indie, Merriweather stands as the era’s alpha and omega,” Pitchfork has written, “a diamond-cut reflection of the era’s eccentricities, seemingly impossible to replicate in form or format.”

The 15-year anniversary deluxe editions of Merriweather Post Pavilion are available for pre-order NOW.

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In rotation: 3/14/24

Beijing, CN | A guide to Beijing’s record stores: Beijing’s music scenes are tight-knit and dedicated. From futuristic club-heads to gutter punks and everything in between, Beijing’s tune fanatics often have to deal with a variety of societal roadblocks, bringing those with a true passion together to create its unique interconnected web of sound. Live venues, restaurants, cafes, bars, and clothing shops are often shifting and expanding their definitions, open to hosting events and collaborating with each other. The amorphous nature of these spaces is best shown in the city’s record shops, great places to meet the weirdos of the city, importing bizarre Cambodian metal or putting up a poster for a gallery event-cum-acid techno rave. Below is an introduction to some of Beijing’s best places to pick up a record, give it a spin, have a cup of coffee–or a gourmet hot dog–and delve into the myriad sounds of this megalopolis.

Southsea, UK | Independent record store resurgence: Pie & Vinyl’s success mirrors the industries growth: The owner of a popular Southsea record store looks back on it’s success as independent record stores reach a 10 year high. Steve Courtnell, the owner of Pie & Vinyl in Castle Road, has spoken about his shops success as it was revealed that there are more independent record stores nationwide than there were ten years ago. The unique pastry and music based shop opened in 2012 and since it began the industry has seen an upturn in fortunes. …Having sat on Castle Road for over a decade, Pie & Vinyl has become a fixture of the city, renowned and revered by many. However, that description still takes Steve by surprise. He said: “When people say, everyone knows Pie & Vinyl it never fails to warm my heart a bit. Obviously there has been an incredible amount of hard work to nearly get to 12 years old, there has been lots of challenges and there continues to be lots of challenges. What we try and offer is something unique, and it does stand out in a way.”

Valdosta, GA | Founder of Stokeley’s Records switched to pop-up sales to spread the joy of Black music: Le’Shawn Taylor bought his first vinyl at Goodwill in 2012. He said he was inspired by Questlove after seeing a video of the artist’s collection on YouTube. “I don’t think at the time I had a record player,” he said. “I was just buying.” It has been over a decade since he purchased that first vinyl that planted a seed. Record-collecting has blossomed into a near full-time passion for Taylor. From 2018-2020, that passion manifested in Vibes and Stuff, a brick-and-mortar in Taylor’s hometown of Valdosta, GA. The name of his store was an homage to the song off A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Low End Theory.” Taylor said he knew he was different growing up in Valdosta. His store was an extension of that eccentricity. “[I was] just into like the opposite of things that were cool,” he said. “I’m probably like the only person in bell-bottoms in like a hundred-mile radius.”

Mansfield, OH | Operation Fandom & Blackbird Records moves to former Uncommon Nostalgia: Mansfielders will still be able to shop for collectibles, music and games at 36 W. 4th St. but from a different business. Following the closure of Uncommon Nostalgia, Operation: Fandom and Blackbird Records opened their store on Friday. Owner Josh Lehman said the new space nearly doubles the floor space they had between City Grille and The Clubhouse. “This will become the largest store of the three we have,” Lehman said. “It was our smallest store before. We have two different 1,000-square-foot stores in Wooster, and about 2,400 square feet in Medina. “We had tall ceilings at the old place, but only 1,400 square feet. Here, we have 3,000 square feet.” Lehman said the extended space will allow for more records, games and spread-out shopping aisles. “I think we’ll have more space for Record Store Day,” he said.

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TVD Radar: Freaknik: The Wildest Story Never Told premiering 3/21

VIA PRESS RELEASE | In celebration of the SXSW world premiere of entertainment company Mass Appeal and streaming giant Hulu’s newest documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Story Never Told, they’ve joined the SXSW lineup to bring the essence of ATL’s most infamous event to Austin for one night only!

Today, March 13, at Stubb’s BBQ the all Atlanta showcase will feature a screening of the highly anticipated documentary and guest performances from beloved Atliens who helped develop the sound and style of Hip Hop’s Southern Capital. Co-hosted by legendary Hip Hop architects Jermaine Dupri and Luke “Uncle Luke” Campbell, the showcase will include sets from iconic rapper Big Boi, Flo Milli, Ying Yang Twins, 21 Lil Harold, DJ Drama, KP The Great, DJ Jelly, and a special guest.

The announcement comes days after Hulu dropped the trailer and artwork for the much-talked-about documentary. Freaknik: The Wildest Story Never Told is a celebratory exploration of the iconic Atlanta street party that started as a Black College cookout but grew to draw thousands annually throughout the ’80s and ’90s, defining Atlanta as a cultural hotbed.

Freaknik soon became known for its lurid tales of highway hookups and legendary late-night parties that ultimately led to the festival’s downfall. At its height, Freaknik was a traffic-stopping, city-shuttering juggernaut that has since become a cult classic. Though it ceased over two decades ago, the infamous legacy still resonates through nostalgia and a new generation’s longing for a carefree platform that celebrates and promotes black excellence, joy, and fortitude.

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TVD Radar: The Cannonball Adderley Quintet, Live in Montreal May 1975 in stores now

VIA PRESS RELEASE | The great Julian “Cannonball” Adderley rose to prominence in the hard-bop era of the 1950s and 1960s.

After a successful stint with Miles Davis’s sextet—including being featured on the seminal Davis records Milestones and Kind of Blue—Adderley formed his own quintet with brother Nat on trumpet and cornet, and soon became the driving force behind the soul-jazz movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s. No one would have guessed that the 46-year-old DownBeat Jazz Hall of Famer was in the last few months of his life when he stepped on stage at Montreal’s In Concert Club on May 3, 1975.

And nothing about the performance suggests that the sax legend was anything but at the top of his game. The lineup for the quintet here is Cannonball Adderley (alto and soprano sax); Nat Adderley (trumpet); Michael Wolff (piano); Roy McCurdy (drums, percussion); and Walter Booker (bass). Out of print since its original 1977 release on Dobre Records, this title now makes its official CD debut alongside a 180-gram vinyl repressing and download.

The packages will feature liner notes by music historian Cary Ginell who wrote the book Walk Tall: The Music and Life of Cannonball Adderley. The notes include interviews with quintet members Michael Wolff and Roy McCurdy. Pre-order on Bandcamp.

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In rotation: 3/13/24

UK | Vinyl records return to UK inflation basket for first time since 1992: Strong sales of Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) help format make an impact, as air fryers also join list. Not since Simply Red’s album Stars topped the albums chart in 1992 have vinyl records been included in the basket of goods used to calculate annual inflation, but a rise in sales over recent years has brought them back as a marker of UK shop prices. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the “resurgence of popularity” in vinyl records meant they should be included among the 744 items used to calculate inflation each month, in its latest annual shake-up of the basket. Sales of vinyl were given an extra push in the UK last year by Taylor Swift’s album 1989 (Taylor’s version), which was the biggest-selling vinyl record, while the Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds ranked as the highest-selling vinyl record by a British artist.

RI | 7 Local Record Stores to Lend an Ear: Record stores—a reminder of the slower pace of times past—are experiencing a resurgence with new generations of vinyl enthusiasts. From vinyl records to CDs, cassettes, band merch and more, record stores in Rhode Island are teeming with vintage finds and unique collectibles. While online streaming services provide our favorite tunes at our fingertips, the experience of visiting a record store is about more than just the music—it offers a sanctuary and a sense of community for music lovers. Here are some of our favorites from around the state. Analog Underground: This record store lives up to its analog namesake—the music playing throughout the store comes directly from a record player and the walls are lined with vintage vinyl and cassette tapes. Owner Dave Lifrieri frequented record stores as a child and wanted to create the same community atmosphere when he opened his store in 2010…

Portland, OR | Owner of North Portland record store helps arrest burglar who hit shop twice: The owner of Vinyl Resting Place jumped in a car with another local business owner and followed the burglar. Vinyl Resting Place was broken into twice in the span of a few days. The owner said it was the same burglar who did it both times and he helped take them into custody. The first burglary happened early Thursday morning. Steve Cook, who owns the North Portland record store, got a call that his front door was shattered. “The front door was busted out,” Cook said. “I could tell the (point of sale) system had been yanked out.” Cook said the burglar walked away with the cash register and all the money that was inside. He estimates it was about $5,000 dollars. “That wasn’t even my money,” Cook said. “I had sold that stuff on consignment for somebody else, which was the hard part, telling them, not only was I burglarized but I lost your money.”

Rio de Janeiro, BR | Rio’s Best Party Happens Once a Month at This Tiny Record Store: Vinil do Mustafa is a treasure trove of 1970s Tropicalía music. …Before Mustafa inhabited his current digs, he kept a shop nearby in the same neighborhood—a subterranean space that turned into an exclusive club every Thursday night. After the pandemic, however, the owner “wanted to see the sky.” In his new location, Mustafa boasts an impressive collection of everything you might expect, but he doesn’t say no to the odd ‘90s hip-hop album or movie soundtrack. It’s more important for the owner to keep his collection tight than to be picky about genre. “I don’t want to sell records in bulk,” he says. “I don’t want to have thousands of records, where you step into the store and you can’t find what you’re looking for.” Instead, he carefully curates his selection, some of which he sells on the cheap, though especially rare titles can bring in much more. “I’m aiming for all kinds of crowds,” he says.

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TVD Radar: Hip-Hop
Is History
from Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
in stores 6/11

VIA PRESS RELEASE | Academy Award-winning director, Grammy Award-winning musician, and New York Times Bestselling author Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson shares details on his brand new landmark book Hip-Hop Is History. Set to debut on June 11th, via the author’s own AUWA Books imprint, this is a book only Questlove could have written: a perceptive and personal reflection on the first half-century of hip-hop.

In the incredible new book, written with Ben Greenman, Questlove skillfully traces the creative and cultural forces that made and shaped hip-hop, highlighting both the forgotten but influential gems and the undeniable chart-topping hits—and weaves it all together with the stories no one else knows. It is at once an intimate, sharply observed story of a cultural revolution and a sweeping, grand theory of the evolution of the great artistic movement of our time. And Questlove, of course, approaches it with not only the encyclopedic fluency and passion of an obsessive fan but also the expertise and originality of an innovative participant.

When hip-hop first emerged in the 1970s, it wasn’t expected to become the cultural force it is today. But for a young Black kid growing up in a musical family in Philadelphia, it was everything. He stayed up late to hear the newest songs on the radio. He saved his money to buy vinyl as soon as it landed. He even started to try to make his own songs. That kid was Questlove, and decades later, he is a six-time Grammy Award-winning musician, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, a New York Times bestselling author, a producer, an entrepreneur, a cofounder of one of hip-hop’s defining acts (the Roots), and the genre’s unofficial in-house historian.

Hip-hop is history, and also his history.
PHOTO: DANIEL DORSA

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In rotation: 3/12/24

Nederland, CO | Music and libations for Boogie’s anniversary: Five years ago Ryan Blackwell opened his dream store in his dream location. Nederland was, and in many ways still is, a hotspot of musical culture and creativity, and Blackwell could think of no better place to lay the foundation for Boogie Records. Over the years, Boogie Records has moved to a bigger space and has expanded its inventory to become a paradise for music fans and those addicted to physical media. Though Blackwell’s favorite part of the job is acquiring big collections from record enthusiasts, where flipping through someone else’s eclectic tastes can often yield some incredible results, he’s recently been focusing on expanding the merchandise available at Boogie. From expressive band logo T-shirts repping Nirvana and Wu-Tang Clan, to a variety of music-inspired toys, such as vintage Devo figurines and newer Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem dolls, with these new additions Boogie Records is constantly being enhanced.

Dundee, UK | How Dundee record store Assai became city centre success story: Its owner said Assai has built a community and embraces the power of the internet to encourage people to shop. Noah Kahan is one of the hottest stars in the world, selling millions of albums, attending the Grammys and selling out arenas. But when the Stick Season star wanted to give his album a charts boost, it was a Dundee music shop he turned to. He took the time to sign 500 copies of his album for a special numbered edition to sell through Assai. In the streaming age, a retailer being able to sell this number of physical copies can make all the difference to chart positions. A week after they went on sale, Kahan followed acts like Blur, Liam Gallagher and Green Day—who have also provided unique versions of their LPs to Assai—to have a number one.

Stroud, UK | End of an era—Stroud’s oldest record shop closes its doors for the final time: Saturday (3/9) will mark the end of an era as Stroud’s oldest record store closes its doors for the final time. Trading Post, in Kendrick Street, can trace its history back 47 years, and for the past 23 years has been run by Simon Vincent. On Friday afternoon friends Tom Berry, who runs Sound Records, and Sean Roe and his wife Ritsuko Hidaka from Klang Tone Records made a surprise presentation of a cake in the shape of a record player. “Simon’s the longest-serving record shop owner in town, so we wanted to mark his departure in style, so we thought a record player cake would be a fitting memory,” explained Tom. Simon said: “I’m absolutely blown away by it—and slightly emotional, as I’m sure I will be for the next 24 hours—but these guys are great, and Stroud is very lucky to have Tom and Sean doing what they’re doing, so Stroud’s going to be fine for records…”

How to have the best Record Store Day: Record Store Day (RSD) is an annual event that celebrates independent record stores and vinyl culture with limited editions and special releases. To make the most of this day, enthusiasts need a game plan. Here are some tips to ensure you have the best Record Store Day experience possible. Start Your Research Early: In the weeks leading up to RSD, check out the official list of releases and decide what you’re interested in. This list is usually released in advance on the Record Store Day website. Also, follow your favorite artists and labels on social media for any surprise announcements. Plan Your Route: Determine which record stores you’ll visit beforehand. Some shops may offer exclusive items or in-store performances, so prioritize them according to your wishlist. Remember to consider store opening times and distances between shops to maximize your time efficiently

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TVD Radar: Independent Label Market returns to Coal Drops Yard, 5/11

VIA PRESS RELEASE | Independent Label Market (ILM) is delighted to announce its flagship London event at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, will return Saturday, May 11th.

The event showcases the vibrant and enduring community of independent UK labels, including firm favourites such as 4AD, Because, Big Dada, Brainfeeder, Chess Club, Chrysalis, Dead Oceans, Dirty Hit, Fire, Jagjaguwar, Late Night Tales, Matador, Marathon, Ninja Tune, Secretly Canadian, Third Man and many others. It will feature a curated selection of vinyl rarities, test pressings, extended back catalogues, signed merchandise, and advance copies.

Also making an appearance at ILM this Spring is The Craft Makers Corner, bringing together talented artists and craft makers including Babak Ganjei, Donna Harle, This Is Fun Isn’t It, Hand Jazz, Kam Creates, Nicole O’Hara, Sri Mckinnon and East London Printmakers

Of course, Independent Label Market wouldn’t be complete without its favourite drinking partner at the helm, London Brewers’ Market representing the thriving Artisan Beer Scene with a lineup of London’s finest brewers including Five Points, Forest Road, Two Tribes and Gan Yam.

Adding further colour to the Spring Market is the ILM Live Stage, as well as artist and label DJ sets throughout the day on a heavyweight soundsystem courtesy of Audio Gold—London’s premier second hand Hi fi retailer specialising in unique equipment from wind-up gramophones to Wi-fi radios.

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TVD Radar: Stars, Set Yourself On Fire 20th anniversary reissue in stores 7/24

VIA PRESS RELEASE | In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of their breakthrough album Set Yourself On Fire (SYOF, 2004 via Arts & Crafts), Montreal’s Stars announce they will embark on a select North American tour this fall and release a special 20th Anniversary vinyl reissue on Arts & Crafts arriving in July, which will feature digital bonus tracks such as “Rollerskate” and “Petit Mort” not widely available on other releases.

The album has been lovingly reimagined on 140g opaque red vinyl, housed in a special die cut jacket with printed inner sleeve, 12″ x 24″ pinup poster, and a temporary tattoo featuring the iconic flame design. New liner notes written by album producer Tom McFall also accompany the re-issue. It is available for pre-order HERE. Signed version available via Stars Patreon HERE.

Stars’ Set Yourself On Fire 20th Anniversary live dates begin September 18 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, ahead of a two-night stand at Brooklyn, NY’s Music Hall of Williamsburg. The tour will then work its way to three Canadian dates in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto; after a two-week break, the dates will resume south of the border in California and traverse throughout the west, including a stop in Vancouver.

Artists of effortlessly accessible complication, on Set Yourself On Fire, Stars took our worst fears—both personal and global—and slayed the anxieties with their perfect pop music. Widely lauded as amongst their most ambitious, accomplished, and affecting works of their storied existence, Stars’ Set Yourself On Fire (20th Anniversary Edition) carries the torch of the magical songs that have set so many hearts alight.

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