Category Archives: A morning mix of news for the vinyl inclined

In rotation: 1/22/24

State College, PA | Algorithms Can’t Match the Record Store Experience: …The best part of the old record store was the experience. Sometimes you went in there with a specific album in mind—like when a new U2 album was released and we were there to watch them take the albums out of the box they were shipped in. Or the goal was a multi-year quest for the rare Led Zeppelin B-side “Hey, Hey What Can I Do” that was finally found in a used record store in New Orleans. Other times you’d go to your favorite store just to hang out and perhaps discover something new. The clerk would have new tracks spinning on the turntable, and you’d listen as you perused the aisles of new and used records. Sometimes they’d ask “Have you heard the new album by…?” and play it on the turntable behind the counter. That was part of the experience.

London, UK | HMV is planning to shake up retail with Oxford Street comeback: Everybody loves a comeback story, and it is good news for music and pop culture lovers as HMV reopened its flagship store on London’s iconic Oxford Street at the end of last year. After a four-year absence, the return to 363 Oxford Street is a full-circle moment as it was also home to the very first HMV store back in 1921. Customers can expect the location to become a hub for entertainment in the capital and the largest entertainment outlet in London offering an unparalleled range of music, film, merchandise and technology products as well as performance spaces. Nevertheless, the new store signals a dramatic turnaround under Canadian owner Doug Putman, who took the reins back in 2019. “Having the store there and open is great and the excitement around the business that its generated,” HMV Managing Director Phil Halliday told indy100. “Whenever I speak to people outside of work or wherever it really seems to mean something to people that we’ve reopened on Oxford Street and in that store.”

New Kensington, PA | New Kensington record store owner buys out Allentown shop, opening 2nd storefront: As more big retailers stop carrying physical media, and more people find limitations to streaming, New Kensington record store owner A.J. Rassau believes there will be more demand for what he offers. That’s his hope, at least. And after investing a half-million dollars to take in more than 100,000 vinyl records and more than 100,000 compact discs, he’d better be right. It took four tractor-trailers to bring all that music to New Kensington from Allentown, where Rassau, 38, bought out the inventory of Double Decker Records, which closed in December after being in business for nearly 30 years. “It took every dollar to my name, plus a lot of loans,” Rassau said. Without enough retail space at his shop, Preserving, in the former Salvation Army building on 11th Street, Rassau is opening a second storefront nearby on Fifth Avenue.

Östersund, SE | Vinylen appeared—the record store opened in Stortorget: After leaving his old job, due to old age, Ulf Grinder knew what he wanted to do. To create something that Östersund lacked. Vinyl shop like the old days, but in a modern style. This is something Östersund has not had for many years. It’s the kind of store that’s needed in the city, where you can walk in and experience not just browsing through the registers, but also spending some time, talking a little, and feeling the vibe. The feeling should be a little different than when you walk into a store and there are only ramps, says Ulf Grinder. The store in Stortorget feels more open than many other vinyl stores. The small room is filled with natural light, it’s not cramped and it feels like there’s real thought behind the design of the room. Queen, Status Quo, ELO, David Bowie and Bob Dylan are just some of the famous names lining the walls. He bought the records from three unnamed sellers. Now in the startup phase, I drive used, but the goal is to also drive new. “I’m going to try to work as broadly as possible with this record store,” says Ulf.

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In rotation: 1/19/24

Lakewood, CO | Lakewood record store hit by suspected drunk driver, forcing owners out: Chain Reaction, a popular Lakewood record store, was left picking up the pieces after a suspected drunk driver crashed into the store early Saturday morning. It happened Saturday morning around 1:30 a.m. when the driver traveled off of West Colfax Avenue, hitting a light pole and street sign before ramming into the store. Then he fled. Investigators followed tire tracks that led away from the scene to West Estes Street and West 20th Avenue, a residential area. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the damages to Chain Reaction are devastating. “It was crushing. The first thing you think is like, this is it, we’re done,” co-owner Josh Lent said. “This is our 10th year — we should be celebrating at that point. The business is more financially stable and you’re thinking about growth and the future, but I was like, that’s it. End game. Over.” But he changed his mind quickly about closing.

Poughkeepsie, NY | Darkside Records in Poughkeepsie set for big birthday celebration: The popular record store will celebrate its 13th year with a big birthday bash. Darkside Records first opened its doors on Jan. 15, 2011 at their first location on Main Street in Poughkeepsie. I remember it well, being so excited that we were actually getting a record store in town. The location on Main Street was there for 5 years, before they relocated to their current location at 611 Dutchess Tpke on Jan. 15, 2016. I’ve always liked how they have hosted artists for meet and greet events at Darkside Records. Back on June 1, 2013, Tom Keifer from Cinderella came through the area for a show at The Chance and Darkside had him by the store signing copies of his critically acclaimed debut solo album The Way Life Goes. Another highlight for me at Darkside Records was getting to meet John Waite back in September of 2017. He came by for a meet and greet and intimate performance with his band. I had always been a fan of John Waite from his work with The Baby’s to Bad English and of course his solo career.

MI | Michigan’s record shops sure ain’t what they used to be: Record stores just ain’t what they used to be…not in Michigan, anyway. Back many decades ago, especially in the pre-Beatle era, anyone could go into a record store and listen to a record before buying it. You would pick out a record, the store clerk would open it and place it on a turntable, while you went inside a ‘listening booth’, put on headphones (or listen thru a speaker) and decide whether or not you wanted to buy it. If not, the clerk would re-seal the record and put it back on the shelf. This routine eventually petered out but later, there were shops where you could listen to a CD before buying. Nowadays, just listen online. The old record stores had record album covers all over the place: on all the walls, the ceiling, countertops, and the rows and rows of shelving that contained literally thousands and thousand of vinyl lps. There are some of these shops still out there, but they are mostly used record shops.

Manchester, UK | Vinyl Destination: Rubber Ducky Records. With an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and post-pandemic era that sent shockwaves through small businesses, aspiring record store owners have been finding increasingly niche ways to offset the costs of traditional brick-and-mortar shops. One such spot is Rubber Ducky Records, a boat-based record store run by Myles Greenwood. Opening in October 2022, the appointment-based store has been serving its visitors with a fine selection of mostly secondhand electronic vinyl, all from the cosy confines of a canal-anchored boat. Unfortunately, last April, any boat owner’s worst nightmare became reality when Rubber Ducky sank on a journey to Manchester. In the following months, thanks to an online fundraiser and the support of the music community, Greenwood managed to restore the boat and its stock. Now back in action with a new location in Manchester, Rubber Ducky has returned to calm waters.

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In rotation: 1/18/24

Riverside, CA | The Penrose Record Room: IYKYK. Downtown Riverside’s newest musical haven is here to stay. …Rooted in Riverside history, the Penrose Record Room is co-owned by Gabe Roth and Matt Beld, both of whom have their roots settled in this city. While the shop officially opened its doors at the end of Oct. 2023, its conception has been a lifetime in the making. Roth and Beld, two lifelong friends, musicians and record-collecting enthusiasts, agreed to go in on the business together after they considered how a record shop would support and promote both of Roth’s independent record labels, Daptone Records and its daughter-label, Penrose Records. Both Daptone and Penrose produce funk music and soulful sounds, with Penrose essentially pioneering the Southern California souldies scene that is distinctly sentimental to Riverside locals.

Longmont, CO | The Vinyl Cafe brings more music to downtown Longmont: At The Vinyl Cafe, Longmont’s newest record store, owner Martin Banks wants music and community to go hand in hand. Banks’ store at 716 Main St. aims to have something for all tastes. The nearly 4,000 albums sit in colorful stacks grouped by styles, including ‘60s pop, country, reggae, classical, funk, soul and many more. The collection is true to the store’s slogan: “every genre, every era.” “Almost every section we’ve got in here, I love a lot of it,” Banks said. “People come in and ask for the most obscure things, and you need to know most of them.” Originally from Birmingham, England, Banks moved to Longmont in 2022. He cited “The Downward Spiral” by Nine Inch Nails as a formative moment in his musical journey, since it was the first physical piece of music he bought at 14. “From then on, my collection just grew and grew,” Banks said.

Taylor Swift sets staggering vinyl sale record: Taylor Swift dominated vinyl sales in the US last year, with the pop superstar accounting for one in every 15 sales. That made 2023 the third straight year that Swift was the top-selling act on vinyl. In 2022, one out of every 25 vinyl albums sold was by Swift. According to reports in Billboard, last year 49.61 million vinyl albums were sold in the US, an increase of 14.2% from 2022 when 43.46 million were sold. Of all the records sold in 2023, 3.484 million were by Swift – 7% of the industry’s total. The next biggest seller was Lana Del Rey, with 646,000 copies sold. Then came Tyler, the Creator (552,000), Travis Scott (474,000), Olivia Rodrigo (408,000), Kendrick Lamar (382,000), Metallica (378,000), The Beatles (373,000), Fleetwood Mac (357,000) and Mac Miller (354,000). Vinyl sales made up 47.1% of all album sales in the US last year, and 57% of all physical albums sold.

Greenville, SC | Horizon Records: Iconic Greenville music shop offers thrill of discovery: As Horizon Records approaches its 50th year in business, I asked founder and owner Gene Berger what he has learned over the time he’s been in business. “I’m really old,” he quipped. “When I started out, we were selling 8-tracks and LPs. Then we had cassettes and CDs, and now into the vinyl record renaissance era. The return of the physical medium of the LP record has saved the indie retail music store industry, period. It’s gargantuan.” Berger says that the holiday season was busy for the store, beginning with Black Friday, which was “gargantuan,” he says. …“What’s the reason someone would come to your shop? It doesn’t matter if you’re selling books, artwork, fishing gear, plants or whatever things people care about and shop for,” he says. “People will visit because it’s exciting and interesting, the experience is good and there’s a really passionate curation of product mix. That’s the front line and most important advertisement there is.”

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In rotation: 1/17/24

VN | Vietnamese vinyl vendors that any music aficionado needs to visit: You might think that the 12″ record is a thing of the past, but it’s having a major resurgence with more and more looking to get their hands on a physical copy of their favorite album of all time. When I am not writing about the ever-blossoming travel industry, I spend my spare time trawling through YouTube channels and forums in search of the perfect soundtrack for any moment. On a recent trip to Vietnam, I got the opportunity to combine the two and head out on the back of a motorbike (with a helmet of course) to some of the best-kept secrets in the ‘land of the ascending dragon’. So if you’re headed to Vietnam, or have a client with an eclectic ear, here are my top recommendations on where to find some music that’s a little more off the beaten track.

Leesport, PA | Record Riot draws hundreds of vinyl and CD lovers to Leesport: From The Beatles to Blind Melon, music enthusiasts find their favorite artists. It was a lifetime ago when the Beatles played before a fanatic crowd of young Americans on the Ed Sullivan show, but watching that historic musical moment on television is something Quentin Black will never forgot. “I saw that and I was sold,” he said of the night his Beatles fanhood began. Now 67, Black continues to collect Beatles albums and singles on vinyl, which is why on Saturday the Hazleton man drove an hour to Leesport for an event he hoped would bring him new Beatles treasures. He and several hundred others attended the Record Riot at the Leesport Farmers Market, where there were dozens of tables manned by vendors selling albums, compact discs and music memorabilia. The event was staged by Record Riots, a New-Jersey based company that will hold 18 such events across the Northeast this year, said owner Stephen Gritzen.

Releasing records on vinyl is getting too expensive for indie musicians: A million years ago when I was in university and shopping for music at places like Krazy Kelly’s on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, I remember being shocked at seeing a new single album on sale for $10.99. Prices had been creeping upwards–$6.99, $7.99, $8.99–for the last few years but to see one selling for beyond ten bucks (about $30 in today’s money) and being outraged. Fast-forward to today and despite the continued rocketing popularity of vinyl, it’s never been more expensive. It’s almost impossible to find new vinyl for $30 today; we’re more likely to spend $40 and beyond. I’ve seen Tragically Hip albums in the bins priced at $70 dollars. Why? The usual excuses are trotted out. Supply chain issues. Lack of pressing plants to fulfill all the order. Superstar acts are commanding pressing schedules. But let’s not discount pure greed on behalf of labels. All of this is conspiring to hurt indie musicians who certainly could benefit from the margins realized by selling vinyl.

Luminate’s Decision Could Hurt the Vinyl Record Industry: Have you ever wondered how Billboard gets its data for its charts? They get it from a company called Luminate. Luminate is also responsible for reporting data on sales. Not just vinyl record sales but also streaming and digital media sales. Even radio airplay. It’s a big deal. What we’re concerned with is the reporting of vinyl sales, which has brought in over a billion dollars in revenue this past year, according to a recent Forbes article. A billion in revenue. A billion. It’s great news for vinyl records. Luminate has always been responsible for delivering that great news. When you hear good news like that, it gets attention. It helps bring about more sales. If you hear a market is healthy and bringing in revenue, more folks will jump on it. Both sellers and buyers. So, bring on the good news. However, Luminate reported a couple months ago that it is changing how it reports this data. It’s a big deal. And not in a good way.

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In rotation: 1/16/24

Guildford, UK | How Ben’s records got the ‘winning formula’ to selling vinyl: One record shop owner spills the secret to Guildford’s most sought after tunes. If you know about music in Guildford, there is no doubt you will know about Ben’s Collector’s Records. It has been a pivotal part of the town’s music scene since 1993, and is still going strong. With vinyl back in the mainstream, SurreyLive had a chat with the shop’s owner to see what Guildford was dancing to. Inside the shop it is a maze of records, CDs and cassette tapes, all piled high and ready to rifle through. Ben Darnton who owns the store believes this kind of ordered disorder is what keeps people coming back. He said: “People like coming in for a dig, they say ‘I don’t know what I’m gonna find next.’” They could find anything, the Tunsgate shop sells a complete assortment of music styles including classical and jazz . With so much to choose from, the clientele is as eclectic as the stock, and growing all the time.

Nottingham, UK | ‘Quirky’ vinyl and clothing store opens in Nottingham city centre: The St James Street shop has a huge range of clothing items and records. A new ‘quirky’ shop filled with vinyl records, clothes, and vintage pieces has opened in Nottingham. Fac1968 is the latest shop to open on St James Street, in the city centre. Since opening their doors on November 9, last year, owner Gary Prail and his partner Cheryl Marshall say they have had a ‘wonderful’ first couple of months of trading. The couple shared that their main focus was to make a ‘comfortable’ environment for customers to shop in. With upbeat music playing in the background, unique artwork on the walls, bursts of colour, and different decorative pieces, the couple have created quite a ‘quirky’ space. “[It’s been received] incredibly positively. The amount of people who come in and say ‘we love the shop’ has been beautiful,” said Gary, who is from West Bridgford. The 55-year-old continued: “They comment on loads of things. It’s been a positive reaction so it’s been great.”

IE | A guide to Ireland’s record stores: Crate-digging spots across Ireland. We travel to Ireland to highlight the best record stores out in the community selling new and used vinyl for all tastes, from record megastores to the “smallest record shop in Ireland.” All City Records Address: 4 Crow Street, Dublin, Ireland D02 AF84. Nestled in Dublin’s tourist centre of Temple Bar, All City Records is home to one of Ireland’s most comprehensive hip-hop and electronic offerings. Operating since 2001, All City boasts its own label and series of sub-labels including Arís, Jheri Tracks and First Second Label. A hub for local DJs, graffiti artists and vinyl enthusiasts.

South Surrey, BC | Vinyl Vibes to close after owner faced with $4,300 rent increase: Adrian Clements says he’ll pivot to online auctions after rent increase of 172 per cent. A local record store is closing after the owner faced an astronomical rent increase. Vinyl Vibes, a staple on 176th for more than eight years, is closing near the end of January because of a $4,300 increase in rent. Owner Adrian Clements said t0 sign his new lease, he had to agree to a 172 per cent increase. He was paying $2,500 a month and was notified at the beginning of December his rent would increase to $6,800 per month. “The lease came up and the landlord wanted to almost triple the rent,” Clements said. “They said it was way below market value.” Clements explained that he doesn’t even make that in a month and can’t possibly pay it. As such he’s shutting down the record shop sometime around Jan. 26. “I was prepared to go up to $4,500, but they wanted more.”

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In rotation: 1/12/24

Las Vegas, NV | Analog Dope Store in Arts District bringing Las Vegas community together: Couple Rachelle and Charlie Luster are making their mark in the Las Vegas Arts District. As musicians, they’re sharing their love for creativity and culture by operating the Analog Dope Store, offering a curated selection of books and vinyl selections. “Historically in this country going back to slavery, Black people were not allowed to read. We had to sneak in and find spaces to read and learn how to read from each other. So these spaces became underground libraries where people would gather,” Charlie said. “We wanted to carry on that legacy and we pay homage to that during Black History Month with an event that we do called Roses and we educate about the lineage of Black bookstores in America.” The shop first opened in 2022 and Rachelle said the Analog Dope Store is more than just a bookstore, it was born from the wants and needs of our community.

Rome, IT | These Top Record Stores In Rome for Vinyl Collectors Will Transport You To Another World: Among my favorite things about Rome is that many thriving subcultures lie beneath the city’s historic façade. One subculture will transport you to another world – the world of vinyl records. Whether you are looking for rare gems, classic albums, or new releases, you will find them in the many record stores that dot the Eternal City. Here are some of the best places in Rome to satisfy your vinyl cravings and discover new sounds. Transmission: Transmission is the spot to be if you enjoy experimental, indie, or alternative music. In this bright and inviting storefront close to Piazza Navona, you can find a handpicked assortment of CDs, books, posters, and vinyl records from indie artists. Additionally, you can take in exhibitions by artists and musicians from all over the world, as well as live performances and DJ sets…

Newcastle, UK | Independent record store could have lost ‘up to 30 customers a day’ after broadband switch left phones dead: A Newcastle city centre independent record shop has been left in a spin after a phone mix-up led to the potential loss of up to 30 customers a day and ‘hundreds of pounds worth’ of business. Reflex, on Nun Street, has been serving music fans since 1999, but customer service ground to a halt between Christmas and New Year, when owner Alan Jordan arranged for his broadband to be switched from Plusnet to BT. The switch went according to plan – but his TalkTalk telephone line mysteriously went dead at the same time, meaning that up to 30 calls a day were going unheard. A week later, the business, which is famous in the city for the long queues forming outside every Record Store Day in April, is still without a phone line as BT and TalkTalk try to get to the bottom of the problem. ‘BT say they can’t do anything because the account is with TalkTalk and TalkTalk say they can’t help because the phone line has been disconnected by BT,’ Alan said.

Long Beach, CA | Take a spin with Record Store Meet Up: Record Store Meet Up invites residents to travel through SoCal cities every other month in search of their next best vinyl find. When someone enters a shop on the Record Store Meet Up tour, they are greeted with a sign, a button, a nametag and a warm welcome from club founder Crystal Martinez. They are then thrown into an at-your-own-pace browsing mingling session with fellow vinyl connoisseurs searching for their next prized find. …“It just makes me so happy when I see someone I haven’t seen before come to a meeting and to see people start talking to each other and making new friendships,” Martinez said. “That just makes me so happy because I love building community and supporting these small businesses and these record stores. They are so important.”

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In rotation: 1/11/24

Edmonds, WA | Edmonds record store now accepting used vinyl: A new record store, Musicology Co., will open next month in Edmonds at 420 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 107. “Though Edmonds boasts a vibrant arts scene, one element has been missing from our downtown core: a brick-and-mortar record shop,” said local musician Rachel Gardner of The Band LeLe. The store will sell new and used vinyl, CDs, and other music-related merchandise. It is now buying used vinyl. Gardner is behind the newest addition to downtown Edmonds retail, along with business partners Elizabeth Murray – also of The Band LeLe – Jason Murray, and Brian Gardner. Gardner has been involved in the music world her entire life: She was born in the back of a music store in Port Townsend. With two musician parents (and many other musicians in her family), she grew up in music shops, backstage at gigs, radio shows, and more.

Aberdeen, UK | Aberdeen record shop owner issues funding plea with business in ‘vast amounts’ of debt: Nick Duthie, owner of Red Robin Records on Correction Wynd, has started a GoFundMe campaign to help save the popular Aberdeen business which is at risk of closing. The owner of an Aberdeen record shop and cafe has issued a heartfelt plea to customers in a last-ditch effort to help it stay afloat. Nick Duthie, owner of Red Robin Records on Correction Wynd, has started a GoFundMe campaign after revealing that the popular north-east business was in ‘vast amounts’ of debt. Nick cited the oil industry downturn and the coronavirus pandemic as reasons for the business’s current situation. He first opened Red Robin Records in 2019 and says that he’s currently unsure of the business’s future beyond this month. The campaign, which has just been launched, is seeking to raise £100,000, with Nick saying that a ‘cash injection’ is sorely needed.

UK | UK music store defies odds by considering expansion: Physical music is on the comeback despite the continued growth of music streaming and could help regrow the high street. Iconic UK music retailer HMV are considering expansion. Following a fantastic year of growth in physical sales – aiding overall growth for UK music revenues – the high street is looking a little more appealing. The death of the high street for music has come from two directions. Firstly, digital music has taken over music consumption diminishing physical sales. Then online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay have hindered the in-person shopping of high streets massively. So it’s especially good news that HMV’s Managing Director is discussing plans to expand their shops. The retailer already operates around 120 stores across the UK. The retailer survived its second large collapse in 2019 thanks to investment from Sunrise Records. Their considerations follow a great 2023 for physical music.

Glasgow, UK | Glasgow Record Shops: 14 of the best record shops to visit in Glasgow: Glasgow is a music city that takes it tunes very seriously with there being a wide range of great record shops to explore no matter the kind of genre you are searching for. The city has produced several huge acts such as Simple Minds, Franz Ferdinand and Primal Scream, with some setting out on their musical discovery browsing through the racks of records stores in their younger days. Although vinyl records may have made a ‘comeback’ in recent years, the revival came too late for many shops with Glasgow having bid farewell to many great record shops which had been part of the city’s identity for years. So, whether you are looking to take shelter for the rain or are in search of an album you’ve not quite yet been able to get your hands on – here is a list of fourteen of the best record shops in Glasgow.

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In rotation: 1/10/24

Edmonds, WA | Record store opening in Edmonds? Yep. Rachel Gardner of The Band Lele plans to open a record store in Edmonds. She told the Beacon that she would have more information soon, but did post of social media that the record shop/music boutique will be located in the yellow building on Fifth Avenue South. Record stores have long been making a comeback—at least, those that sell actual vinyl records—as a new generation has joined older audiophiles in discovering the magic of records. According to The Conversation, consumers purchased $1.2 billion of records in 2022, a 20% jump from 2021. Many claim they have better audio quality than digital audio files and CDs. And many retailers are on board—stores like Target and Fred Meyer sell record players that connect to Bluetooth. There are no record stores in Edmonds, but a small selection is available at Half Price Books in Lynnwood.

Adelaide, AU | Adelaide’s groovy new vinyl store Gordy Boy Records opens in historic CBD arcade: Adelaide, known for its rich cultural heritage and love for the arts, has recently welcomed a new addition to its vibrant music scene with the opening of Gordy Boy Records in the heart of the CBD. Nestled in the historic Adelaide Arcade, this vinyl store pays homage to the timeless allure of records and promises to be a treasure trove for music enthusiasts. Gordy Boy Records Store officially opened its doors in December, bringing a unique blend of nostalgia and contemporary musical to Adelaide’s Arcade. The location was chosen with precision, situated near collectibles and comic book stores, creating a hub of cultural attractions within the arcade. For owner and music aficionado, Ed Rooney, this venture has been a lifelong dream.

Montreal, CA | Well-known Montreal record store is for sale: A popular Montreal record store is up for sale. For the past 25 years, Nick Catalano has been carefully curating music at his store sought out by vinyl enthusiasts in the city. Now, the owner of Beatnick Records is looking to sell his store to someone who can carry on his tradition of providing hard to find records as well as popular classics to clients and collectors. “You need to know music. It’s not like selling chips and popcorn, you know. If somebody asks you how this record is, you’ve got to be able to tell them,” explained Catalano, adding, “you need to love music, you need to love being surrounded by music 24 hours a day and you need to want to own a business.” Catalano suggests the main reason for selling the record store is his age. “It’s mostly to do with I’m 72 years old and I’d like to work less, not more,” said Catalano.

Asheville, NC | Citizen Vinyl offers public tours for behind-the-scenes look at how vinyl records are made: A studio in Asheville gave locals a special behind-the-scenes look at how vinyl records are made over the weekend. Citizen Vinyl—a music vinyl pressing plant, craft cocktail bar, farm to table café and record store—offered public tours of its facility on Sunday, Jan. 7. Tour-goers could find the shop’s record pressing operation and recording studio—and enjoy a coffee while at it. A Citizen Vinyl spokesperson said the hope is that these tours would help people celebrate the history of music manufacturing while connecting with the local community. “It’s such a beautiful spot, and we have a wonderful selection of records and great food and coffee,” said Franco Zanchetta, tour guide. “If you come on the tour you get 10% off on records and merch and coffee and food, and you’ll also be able to understand and know the availability of the space.” Those who weren’t able to partake in the tours can still visit Citizen Vinyl’s café, bar and record store.

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In rotation: 1/9/24

Introducing the Indie Vinyl Sales Chart: In partnership with StreetPulse and Record Store Day, HITS is delighted to announce the launch of the weekly Indie Vinyl Sales chart, which will track point-of-sale data from independent retailers—currently 200+, with plenty more on the way. The first #1 on this Top 50 chart belongs to Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version); Republic retail mastermind Taylor has three titles in the chart’s Top 5. Fleetwood Mac’s indefatigable Rumours (Warner) sits at #2, while troubadour Noah Kahan claims a spot in the Top 5 with Stick Season (Mercury/Republic). All of which is dandy, especially for those of us whose turntables get a lot of action. But why this chart now?

Uxbridge, MA | Retro Records brings vinyl, cassette tapes back to Uxbridge: The small Retro Records store at the back of the second floor at 195 South Main St. in Uxbridge features walls adorned in sherbet pink and green hues that mimic a ‘50s milkshake diner. Hanging on the walls are old vinyl, pictures of family members and memorabilia of the up-and-coming singer and songwriter Alyssa Lincoln, 21, who goes by the stage name La Rocké. Retro Records is an extension of Lincoln’s musical career, showcasing old-school jazz and rock tracks. The store, which is opening Saturday, Jan. 6, is a place for her to display and sell her growing vinyl, cassette and CD collection and will one day become a place to record her music, host jam sessions and promote her label under the same name as the store. “I’ve always wanted to have my own collection,” said Lincoln. “I have my own turntable and all that. I’m super into older music that is on vinyl records. I play them all day, every day.”

Dorchester, UK | Dorchester: Vinyl Van evening of live music in Brewery Sq.: Live music will be performed in Dorchester at a newly expanded record store and venue. Alt-balladeers The Outliers, supported by local legend Ken Watkins, and the up and coming ‘Boots Don’t Fit’ will play three live sets of original music at the Vinyl Van in Brewery Square on Saturday, January 13 from 7pm. The Outliers will headline the night with their unique blend of original song writing styles, from folk to rock, Americana-country and all points in-between, delivered with terrific vocal harmonies and original guitar playing. They are ably supported by local legends Ken and Lucy Watkins – this folk influenced duo have been playing to audiences together for more than 30 years and continue to deliver fantastic performances.The evening will also introduce the up and coming ‘Boots Don’t Fit’—father and son duo Simon and Joe Arthy—their energised sound and engaging storytelling is capturing new fans whenever they play. Entry is free to the venue at 8A Pope Street, Dorchester.

Newcastle, UK | Newcastle record store’s phone line mystery after BT internet switch: Popular Record Store Day shop boss Alan Jordan reckons he’s missing ‘around 30 calls a day’ as landline goes dead. A Newcastle city centre record shop has been left in a spin after a phone mix-up led to the potential loss of “hundreds of pounds worth” of business. Reflex, on Nun Street Newcastle, has been serving music fans since 1999, but customer service ground to a halt between Christmas and New Year, when owner Alan Jordan arranged for his broadband to be switched from PlusNet to BT. The switch went according to plan – but his TalkTalk telephone line mysteriously went dead at the same time, meaning up to 30 calls a day were going unheard. And a week later, the business, which is famous in the city for the long queues forming outside every Record Store Day in April, is still without a phone line as BT and TalkTalk try to get to the bottom of the problem. “…I have just been going round and round in circles with each saying they can’t help and it’s down to the other one to fix it. To be honest, I don’t care how it’s fixed within reason, I just want a working phone line again.”

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In rotation: 1/8/24

UK | Record Store Day to return on Saturday 20 April 2024: The date for Record Store Day 2024 has been confirmed alongside a brand new official partner. The annual celebration of independent record shops will take place this year on Saturday, 20 April, with more than 250 independent record shops expected to take part across the UK. Now one of the biggest events in the music calendar, shops will host parties, live performances, DJ sets to celebrate the unique culture of record shopping, the art of vinyl and the music-loving people behind the counter serving music to their local communities. And as always, a range of exclusive and limited-edition releases will be available on the day at participating retailers, with the full list to be published later this year. Record Store Day have also announced their official wine partner for the 2024 event, Studio by Miraval.

Liverpool, UK | Rough Trade is opening a brand new 6500 square foot store in Liverpool: It’ll be the chain’s sixth UK location, and its biggest so far. Rough Trade is set to open its largest UK location to date in Liverpool. This new store will be the sixth in the UK for Rough Trade, joining its three London locations and stores in Bristol and Nottingham. The company also plans to expand into Europe, with a flagship store in Berlin slated for 2024. Situated at 50-56 Hanover Street in the city centre, it promises a dynamic event schedule featuring both national and local acts. The 6500 square foot space, scheduled to open in the early months of this year, will also include a bar and café, in collaboration with Signature Brew and Dark Arts, offering draught beers and fresh coffee. Lawrence Montgomery, managing director at Rough Trade, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture: “We are excited to grow our UK presence with a store in Liverpool…”

Montreal, CA | How an independent record store owner makes a go of things: Nick Catalano loves music. He loves playing music, he loves listening to music. He loves buying rare records. He loves selling new and used albums to vinyl and CD enthusiasts at his store Beatnick, a veritable museum of music history that opened in December 1998 at the corner of St. Denis and Pine Avenue. What he doesn’t love is the part of the process that starts his day at the store — finding a place to park, and then having to lug heavy items from blocks away. Catalano lays the blame at the feet of the Plante administration. “It’s the hunt for parking when you pay thousands and thousands of dollars of business tax,” he told The Suburban as we drove in his vehicle hunting for parking. “Our wonderful Mayor is constantly adding to the bicycle paths and taking away parking spots. She’s, at the moment, extending it from Duluth to Sherbrooke, which means all those parking spots, which you had to pay for, are not going to be available anymore.

Lisle, IL | Get into the groove at new hybrid record store/taproom in Lisle: A new business in Lisle is combining the resurgent cool of vinyl records with the deliciousness of cold craft beer. Crooked Arm Vinyl & Tap opened this week in Lisle’s College Square Shopping Center at 6450 College Road. There will be a grand opening celebration Friday and Saturday. The combo record store, craft beer taproom and bottle shop boasts a collection of 13,000 new and used vinyl records and eight tap handles featuring a rotating selection of local craft beers. “We know craft beer and vinyl records have their respective passionate communities, so bringing them together under one roof just made a lot of sense to me, and we think it will make a lot of sense to our guests too,” owner Joe Lottino said in a news release. Crooked Arm will feature fresh beers from West suburban and Chicago breweries, plus a small bottle shop featuring select wine, spirits, small-batch sodas, seltzers and locally made nonalcoholic beers.

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In rotation: 1/5/24

Liverpool, UK | Vinyl record retailer to open first Liverpool store: UK independent music retailer Rough Trade to open 6,500 sq ft store in Liverpool and is seeking applications for people to join its team. Independent vinyl record retailer Rough Trade is to open its first store in Liverpool. Founded in London in 1976, Rough Trade is a £14m-turnover business that currently has five outlets, including one in New York. It will open its sixth, a 6,500 sq ft store in Hanover Street in Liverpool city centre in the first quarter of 2024. It will create a number of jobs and is seeking applications from people in Liverpool city region. Roles include general manager, assistant manager, bar and events manager, bar and events supervisor, retail supervisors and bar, sales and events assistants. This will become Rough Trade’s largest location in the UK and boast its largest venue space. It will feature a fully stocked bar and cafe in partnership with Signature Brew and Dark Arts. Upon opening, people will be able to browse the extensive catalogue of music and merchandise in-store.

Liverpool, UK | Iconic Jacaranda to open record store and performance space in the Baltic Triangle: There was huge news announced today from one of Liverpool’s most iconic venues, Jacaranda is to open a new record store and 400 capacity performance space in the Baltic Triangle at Cains Brewery Village. 65 years after opening on Slater Street, Liverpool’s iconic Jacaranda is opening another premises in the Baltic Triangle—Jacaranda Baltic. The new Jacaranda Baltic site is made up of a record shop and a 400 capacity performance area, located inside Cain’s Brewery. The record store, the latest iteration of the Jacaranda brand, will stock a curated mix of local and international artist’s new releases, along with all the classic albums you expect to find. The performance area, Jacaranda’s largest and most ambitious to date, already has a range of huge artists set to play there. Tom Odell, Dizzee Rascal, Shed Seven, Cast and Red Rum Club are all set to perform live on-stage and launch their new albums from the new Baltic venue over the next few months.

Sacramento, CA | Coffee shop and record store in midtown Sacramento is closing. Here’s why—and when. A midtown Sacramento cafe known for its coffee drinks and vinyl record collection will close early next year. Pressed Coffee and Records is closing its doors at 1725 L St. due to rent increases, the business owners said in a Dec. 22 Instagram post. “Since early October (and after the second significant annual increase in rent in September), we have been in negotiations with our landlord to decrease our rent based on the fact that office workers have not returned to midtown (and) downtown,”the post read. The cafe received a 30-day notice on Dec. 20 and officially shutter on Jan. 13. “I am certain that this isn’t the end and you will see some more news on that soon,” the cafe’s owners said in the post. …The cafe, which doubles as a record shop, offers a menu of espresso coffee drinks and small bites such as veggie burritos and falafal wraps.

Fort Wayne, IN | Iconic family-owned record store passes the pricing gun from father to son: It takes a lot to become a local legend in the record store world, but the Roets family had managed to do just that. As the final days of 2023 turned into a new year, Bob Roets, founder and owner, with his wife, Cindy, of Fort Wayne’s iconic Wooden Nickel Records announced his retirement and passed the baton, along with the pricing gun, to his son Chris. For a look back at the local record store scene as well as insight on Bob’s deep passion and commitment to the community, here’s the conversation WBOI’s Julia Meek had with him on the company’s 40th Anniversary in 2022. “…You know, when I opened the store, I had very modest thoughts of where we were going to go. And we started with $1,000, my record collection and my stereo system. That’s what started Wooden Nickel, to be honest with you. And to think where it is today, it was inconceivable that that would happen. But I’m a pretty stubborn guy, you know, I mean, I worked seven days a week, I still do. I love what I do…”

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In rotation: 1/3/24

UK | The top 10 biggest-selling records of 2023, revealed: Vinyl sales in the UK were at their highest since 1990, with a number of new releases making the top 10. Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones helped to boost UK vinyl sales to their highest level since 1990, as fans continue to enjoy music in physical formats. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) trade group reports that vinyl sales in 2023 rose by 11.7 per cent to 5.9 million units, marking an increase for the 16th consecutive year. The format has enjoyed an ongoing surge in popularity, thanks to fans who believe that vinyl offers better sound quality over streaming, while also appreciating the collectible nature of LP records. Compared to previous years, which have been dominated by or split evenly with classic records, 2023’s top 10 was full of new releases. However, classic albums such as Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (Live at Wembley 1974) also continued to perform well.

Kent, UK | Kent vinyl stores say sales are continuing to rise year on year as the UK industry sees demand reach highest level since 1990: Bosses of vinyl shops across the county say they have seen their “best year yet” as sales hit their highest level since 1990. The country has seen an 11.7% rise in purchases – around 5.9 million units – this year, according to an analysis of the Official Charts data by the music association British Phonographic Industry (BPI). …Last week, more than a quarter of a million albums were sold making it the highest sales week for the format this century. And businesses in Kent have benefited from the boom in the industry, with the owner of Medway Record Centre, Phillip Jessop, explaining “sales have gone up dramatically over the last eight years.” Phillip, who has run the store in Canterbury Street, Gillingham, for almost three decades, said: “It is here to stay. I think people want to own a product and have the item in their hands. “They want to hold the item and put it on the decks. It is about owning something.”

Cleveland, OH | Loop Coffee Shop and Record Store in Tremont Is Closed After 14 Years: The West 11th Street cafe known for supporting local art announced the closure today on Facebook. After 14 years in business, Loop Tremont is closing its doors for good. The Tremont coffee shop announced it will no longer carry on in a Facebook post today. Dec. 27 was its final day of operation. “It’s been a good run Tremont. It is with mixed emotions that we announce our closure after 14 years of serving our customers, friends, and neighbors,” the statement said. “We want to express our deepest gratitude for our customers and employees over the years. “The decision to close was not an easy one, but it’s time for some new adventures. With heartfelt appreciation, LOOP.” Loop specialized in coffee that was roasted in-house and also had the uniqueness of doubling as a record store.

Wolverhampton, UK | ‘Very sad’: Wolverhampton city centre record store shuts due to fall-off in trade: An independent record shop in Wolverhampton city centre has ceased trading. Saturday, December 23 was the final day of official trading at Stay Loose Records in Farmers Fold, off Victoria Street. Owner Ian Davies, who opened the shop specialising in vinyl in 2018, said that it was “soul-destroying” to have had to close the business. “It is very sad after being here for five-and-a-half years and getting through Covid,” said 46-year-old Mr Davies, who is also a DJ and performed at last weekend’s Blast Off reunion at the Civic at The Halls. “Footfall has been really down and the city has gone really quiet since Covid, and the roadworks in Victoria Street have really changed things. “There have been fewer people coming past since it was pedestrianised and there are no longer bus stops nearby. “It has just been so quiet I couldn’t afford to keep going,” he added.

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In rotation: 1/2/24

UK | UK vinyl sales reach highest level since 1990: Albums by Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Lana Del Rey contributed to the surge in sales this year. Sales of vinyl records in the UK have hit their highest level since 1990. The revived popularity of the physical format has resulted in the 16th consecutive year of rising sales, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The BPI added in a new report that the vinyl market has increased more than four times as fast with an 11.7 per cent rise to 5.9 million units in 2023. Taylor Swift‘s ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ was the best-selling album of the year, followed by The Rolling Stones‘ ‘Hackney Diamonds.’ According to the BPI’s analysis, the “ever-rising demand for vinyl albums and other music releases on physical format” reflects a “thriving market for music on the high street”, citing the popularity of independent record stores and the success of shops like HMV, which reopened its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street this year.

Boise, ID | Independent record stores flourish as vinyl continues steady comeback: “Music sounds very different depending on how you listen to it. I always thought that vinyl kind of had this more like raw, like authentic type sound to them that I just enjoyed so much,” said Madysen Wright. Madysen is 19 and like me, a sophomore at Boise State University. We bonded over our love of vinyl. We’re digital natives who have grown up with virtually all recorded music at our fingertips. Physical music like cassettes, CDs, and vinyl records simply can’t meet this instantaneous demand for music like streaming can. But we both have found ourselves with collections of 33s and 45s; we’ve found ourselves in the midst of a vinyl comeback. This musical medium has steadily risen in the last 15 years, growing from only a million units sold in the U.S. in 2007 to 14 million units just ten years later. Then four years later, that sales number almost tripled to 41 million. Gen Zers like Madysen and me have played a large part in this comeback––we’re proof it’s not just lifelong collectors who can get into the groove.

Jacksonville, IL | Pizza Records on the Move In New Year: Jacksonville’s lone record store will have a new home in the new year. Pizza Records announced on Tuesday that they will closing their doors at the Gilham House on Friday, December 29th at 8PM and begin their move to the downtown Square. Co-owner Devin Smock says there’s a lot of new things coming: “It definitely is exciting. We will have significantly expanded inventory, all kinds of fun stuff, vintage audio equipment. It’s a lot but it’s exciting.” Smock says that the expanded space at 59 Central Park Plaza will also allow them to expand their live entertainment offerings: “It’s about 4,500 square feet, and about half of it is the entertainment venue. We are starting to book acts now trying to get local artists, comedians, anything really to come in and perform.” Smock says if you are in a local band, are a local promoter, or offer live entertainment to contact them to possibly get booked.

San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Vinyl Record Pop-Up Finally Gets Brick-and-Mortar Store: For the past three-and-a-half years, David Tutton’s vinyl pop-ups have sprouted up all over the city, in San Francisco neighborhoods ranging from Noe Valley to the Marina. But now the former DJ and club manager has scored his own brick-and-mortar space, and it’s in the heart of thriving North Beach. Out of Sight Records opened for business Thursday in a below-ground shop at 50A Bannam Place, tucked in a tiny alleyway. The cash-only store carries a range of vinyl, from the classic to the obscure, the discount to the highly collectible. Despite its diminutive presence, it’s around a lot of action. A DJ for 30 years, David Tutton has collected a lot of vinyl along the way. His long career had him opening for many a big-name musician: Sinéad O’Connor, the Ramones, Kool & the Gang, Chris Isaak. He’s also DJ’d private events ranging from large Indian weddings to birthday parties for 20-year-olds and 91-year-olds—and other famous San Franciscans.

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In rotation: 12/15/23

Luminate to Move Ahead With Plan Changing How Indie Record Store Sales Count on Billboard Charts: The data and analytics company’s note to independent retailers cites a “consensus” for changing how it counts sales across the sector. Luminate—which provides data to the Billboard charts—is proceeding with a previously announced plan to retire its weighted data modeling used to measure physical sales in the independent retail sector, according to a note sent Wednesday (Dec. 13) to industry partners and indie retailers. …Luminate said that after discussions with all facets of the industry, including retailers, labels, distributors and industry bodies, it decided to proceed with its planned new way of counting indie store sector sales because there was “a consensus that the current modeling should be retired.”

Clifton Park, NY | Upstate Beat: Vinyl record fans and beer lovers converge at Clifton Park’s Singlecut North: A brewery might not be the first place you think of as a music destination, but SingleCut North and Side Stage Tap Room has gained a reputation as the best spot in Clifton Park for music lovers who also enjoy a good pint of craft beer. Diehard local music fan Craig McAvoy has been to the Tap Room for live music events featuring local artists such as Caity Gallagher, ShortWave RadioBand and E.R.I.E. He also listens to humor-filled conversations between SingleCut North staff and DJ Jeff Morad aired on 102.7 WEQX and streamed live on Facebook. But it’s also the music playing from the Tap Room turntable that appeals to McAvoy, who is featured on the SingleCut North webpage as a regular. “They’re always playing what I consider good music. Not just Top 40 pandering stuff, but classic indie rock and post punk. You can walk in there and hear the Clash spinning and the like,” McAvoy said.

New York, NY | 89-Year-Old Owner Of NYC’s Longest-Running Latin Music Store Doesn’t Plan To Retire: The owner behind New York City‘s longest-running Latin music store is sharing the keys to his success. Miguel Ángel “Mike” Amadeo’s shop, Casa Amadeo, has remained open for over five decades. The Puerto Rican native has worked with some of the biggest names in Latin music, including Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo and Tito Mieves, ABC7 reported. A decade ago, the New York City Council honored Amadeo by renaming the street in front of his music shop after him; it is now recognized as “Miguel Ángel Amadeo Way.” In a recent interview with mitú, a media company dedicated to storytelling from a “Latino point of view,” Amadeo opened up about how his passion for music is the main reason his shop has stuck around for all these decades despite record stores’ waning popularity.

Limerick, IE | The Record Room share compilation album of Limerick talent featuring Laura Duff, Dylan Flynn & the Dead Poets, TA Narrative and more: The album will be launched on Sunday 17 December at the Commercial, Catherine Street, as a strictly limited vinyl only print that will available exclusively from the venue from that date on. …During the Summer of 2023, The Record Room hosted a series of live gigs. The curated shows were professionally recorded, mixed and mastered, with a track from each set being selected for the album. “It’s so exciting to see this project come to fruition, and to release it in such glorious physical form – we just can’t wait for people to hear it now!” said Wired 99.9FM’s Ray Burke. “We’re especially excited about those uninitiated to the Limerick scene getting to hear the talented and uniqueness of the artists that call this city their home.”

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In rotation: 12/14/23

Back on Record: How Vinyl is Outliving the Digital Music Era: The resurgence of vinyl records in recent years is a fascinating testament to the enduring allure of analog sound. Once thought to be a relic of the past, vinyl has made a dramatic comeback, appealing to audiophiles and collectors alike. Amidst this revival, Onyx Record Press, a US-based plant, is at the forefront of revolutionizing the vinyl pressing industry, aiming to significantly reduce turnaround times and offer low-quantity prints, a move that could have significant implications for artists and the music industry.

Essex, UK | Record shop Vinyl Hunter Essex to close its Elmstead Market site: A village music shop is closing its doors to the public after six years, as its owners look to take the business in a “different direction.” The record purveyors behind Vinyl Hunter have announced they are shutting down their shop in Allens Farm, in Tye Road, Elmstead Market. The store – one of two Vinyl Hunter sites, the other being in Bury St Edmunds – would normally be open on Saturdays between 10am and 5pm. However, bosses have now made the difficult decision to shut the shop and will now be holding a special closing sale on December 15 offering 25 per cent off second-hand records. Archie Brewer, Vinyl Hunter Essex manager, explained the reason behind the closure. He said: “We wanted to take the business in a different direction, there is more opportunity to do something different. “We also want to concentrate on our main flagship store in Bury St Edmunds.”

Brighton, UK | First look at new seafront hotel with vinyl music library and turntables in each room: A new hotel with views of the West Pier will open in the city. No. 124 by Guest House, in King’s Road, Brighton will have 32 rooms in a Regency-style building. The hotel will have an outdoor terrace bar, a restaurant called Pearly Cow and rooms for events. The 65 seat restaurant will serve seafood, grilled meats, and vegetables. Classic favourites will also be on offer, including the eponymous signature dish, The Pearly Cow, which combines 45-day aged fillet of beef tartare. At the side of the restaurant is a private dining room with space to seat up to 16 guests and an extra space for guests to gather and enjoy pre-dinner drinks and nibbles. It will also have a pantry where guests can help themselves to sweets and snacks on the first floor and a vinyl record library in the reception where guests can pick records to play in the Crosley record players in the rooms.

UK | The vinyl resurgence: why are records making a comeback? …In spite of this seemingly superficial reason to bring back vinyl records, supporting your local record store is a valuable way to keep the love for this physical form of music alive, and creates a wholesome community where people can enjoy the music they love in the physical form of vinyl that they desire. The exposure to this is up and coming, and is aided by Record Store Day, beginning in 2007, where the community of independent record store owners come together to celebrate and acknowledge the importance of the role they play in the distribution of vinyl. The resurgence of vinyl records primarily fosters a sense of community and an appreciation for the tangible beauty of music. Vinyl transcends through generations, bridging generations together and creates a timeless love for music.

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  • SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL INDIE SHOPS SINCE 2007


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