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

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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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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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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Louisville, KY | Vinyl destination: Where to buy records in Louisville for music fans of all tastes: Music streaming services have become more popular in the past decade, but vinyl sales keep spinning in the right direction, as well. In the first half of 2023, the number of records sold in the U.S. was nearly 22% higher than the same period in 2022. That impact can be felt in Louisville. Local record store owner Matt Anthony, the man behind the appropriately named Matt Anthony’s Record Shop, said Black Friday sales were “bonkers,” with major releases like Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album driving sales at his Phoenix Hill business. Travis Searle, who just celebrated 10 years running Clifton’s Guestroom Records, said his business has seen sales grow across the board in recent years. “We have definitely seen an uptick in sales for both CDs and cassettes tapes over the last couple of years, but vinyl is definitely the bread and butter of Guestroom Records,” he said in an email.

Paris, FR | Born Bad Records, Paris’ rock’n’roll haven: The French capital’s most famous record store is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Mark Adolph, the manager and drummer of the edgy band Frustration, has lost none of his enthusiasm for showcasing the diverse world of rock culture. Rock’n’roll is far from dead. Mark Adolph, manager of Born Bad Records, is convinced of this. In the few square meters of his store near the Bastille in Paris, rock culture is available both in new and used formats, covering all styles from 1950s rock’n’roll to post-punk, including hardcore and rockabilly. It’s hard to understand how some 10,000 vinyl records can fit into such a small space. This crimson-floored venue has fueled several generations’ passion for vinyl and rock culture. Born Bad opened its doors in 1999, initially on Rue Keller, then a few hundred meters away on Rue Saint-Sabin, where it is still located today. It all started with a friendship among three music enthusiasts: Iwan Lozac’h, Christian Blanchard and Adolph. “We didn’t know what to do with our lives, so we decided to open a record store.”

Mexico City, MX | New skate shop and record store opens in Mexico City: A multi-function retail store and events space opened its doors in Mexico City last weekend. On Saturday, December 9th, Daniel Madrid, Ernesto Alonso, Mario Aguilar and Maxwell William launched maad, a shop selling coffee, skateboard gear, streetwear and vinyl. Its catalogue includes electronic music, with a focus on house, techno and EBM records from Detroit, Chicago, New York and the UK. The opening also featured a small in-store, and maad will continue to throw similar events in the hope of “showing the talent and art of the people who approach us,” Madrid, AKA mood, told Resident Advisor. “maad was born from the need for us partners to have a meeting point in the city,” he continued. “It’s an oasis that’s a space for everyone to feel good in this chaotic city, where a community is generated and the main axis is to exchange ideas, knowledge, experiences and create. Music and skateboarding saved us and I hope it can also save many more people.”‘

Geelong, AU | Vintage vibes for the holidays: Why vinyl from Popcultcha Records tops the gift list: Popcultcha Records vinyl is the ultimate Christmas gift for music lovers! This festive season, give the gift of music with a touch of vintage charm – vinyl from Popcultcha Records, Geelong’s premier independent record store. Nestled above their flagship Ryrie Street store, Popcultcha Records is a treasure trove of over 4000 in-stock vinyl titles, as well as an incredible range of books, comics, graphic novels, manga, apparel and much more, making it the ideal destination for Christmas gift shopping. Whether you’re shopping for an audiophile, a collector, or someone just discovering the magic of vinyl, Popcultcha Records has you covered. Staffed by experts and collectors with obsessive ears and an exhaustive understanding of their chosen genre, here you’ll find everything from Xavier Rudd, Van Morrison, Nick Cave, The Kooks, Black Sabbath and Prodigy, to Pixies, Taylor Swift and Silverchair, and everything you could imagine in between.

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Loveland, CO | After more than a decade, a Colorado vinyl shop is leaving for a new town: Like the old song goes, “The Beat Goes On,” just not at this address in Loveland. The store, which has had a couple of owners, sees a better future, elsewhere, in Colorado. Loveland’s only record store has had an (overall) good run in Downtown, but Downtown Loveland is just not the right fit any longer. With them leaving, perhaps another brave music lover will open a new vinyl shop. …It’s been a great little record/music store on the east end of Fourth Street since 2012. They had just what a place like that should: Records, CDs, 45s, sound equipment, instruments. Downtown Sound will join a long list of “businesses that used to be on Fourth Street,” when they finally close up and take the “music” out of Loveland, completely. The current owners took ownership of Downtown Sound in the spring of 2023, but things have been tough; towards the end of July of 2023, they posted an appeal: “To be blunt, we’re in a pickle.”

Ballarat, AU | Vinyl store to spin music lover’s dream: Whether you’re a dedicated collector or a casual appreciator of music, Ballarat now has a new location for everyone to flick through piles of vinyl. Kank Wolverang Records is set to open next Friday at 30 Main Road in Bakery Hill, founded and managed by local musicians and longtime friends Justin “Hap” Hayward and Dan Kalken.“I’d wanted to do this for a while,” Mr Hayward said.“I’d been mentioning this to Dan for a while, and I had a dream of owning a record shop and something popped up on his phone about a record store in Germany all on the same day.“It seemed like a spooky message to give it a crack, and then this place became available.“The name came from a creation of a good friend of ours. Kank is an example of a musician that’s so obscure, no one knows him. We thought it’d be a good mystery.”

Atascadero, CA | Neil Young releases new album and signs autographs at Atascadero record store: Traffic Records is a small, independent record store in Atascadero, so imagine the surprise of both the store owner and fans when music icon Neil Young asked if he could hold an event there for the release of his new album, “Before and After.”Store owner Manuel Barba announced the event a couple of days ago and word spread quickly with a line of people stretching around the block early Friday — about a thousand fans all trying to get their hands on 300 copies of the vinyl LP of Young’s new album. They were also trying to get a chance to meet him in person. Starting around noon, Young met fans and signed copies of the record but was at the store for only about an hour before the records were sold out. Then it was back on the bus and he headed out of town. So why Traffic Records?

Madison, WI | Owners of Strictly Discs to retire after 35 years: New owner shares three goals for iconic Madison record store. Just off the University of Wisconsin campus, a retro record store sits on the corner of Monroe and Harrison Street. The store is immediately striking from the outside because of its vibrant colors and brightly colored lights. The inside of the store is equally nostalgic. The walls are covered in old vinyls and CDs, with shelves and stand-up racks throughout the room. But the store doesn’t end on the main level. After exploring the vinyl selection upstairs, customers can walk down the store’s stairs, the walls of which are covered in old newspapers and retro art. In the basement, the space is tightly packed with rows and rows of more CDs, vinyls and even a few cassette tapes. On its 35th anniversary, Strictly Discs announced on Facebook that owners Ron and Angie Roloff had sold the store to new owner Rick Stoner in early November. Angie Roloff said they love the store, but they are excited about the transition.

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Terre Haute, IN | New record store comes to Terre Haute: Terre Haute is about to get a new store dedicated to all things music. Siples Records is an independent record store specializing in vinyl, tapes and CD’s. The upcoming opening has been months in the making for the owner. “Record stores are destination places. I search them out, people search them out,” said Brett Siples, the store’s owner. “Every time I go to a new city I’m looking record stores on maps, so I think it is going to bring more people in.” Siples Records is scheduled to open Dec. 16 at 2001 Crawford Street. The doors will open at 10 a.m.

Walla Walla, WA | Celebrating 50 Years of Music at Local Record Store Hot Poop: Hot Poop, Washington’s oldest independent record store, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The store originally opened in San Diego in 1972 and moved to Walla Walla in the fall of 1973. In the time since, it has served as a vibrant location for Walla Walla locals and visitors alike, attracting customers with its eclectic atmosphere. When walking in, customers are greeted with vinyl records and CDs from a wide variety of artists, Hot Poop merchandise, magazines and instruments. More indiscriminate items and trinkets decorate Hot Poop revealing the wide range of products and memorabilia one can discover. Jim McGuinn, owner and founder of Hot Poop, discussed his inspiration for opening the store 50 years ago. “I had a natural aversion to real work,” McGuinn said. “I wanted to do something fun. And music was my hobby … I thought that would be a perfect job, right? You know, talking about what you like, and, ‘Hey, look what just came out’?”

Chicago, IL | Thieves Swiping Rare Vinyl From Chicago Record Shops: Up to $10,000 in rare vinyl was taken from one shop. Store owners are banding together to keep an eye out for people trying to sell these records. Record shops on the Northwest Side are sounding the alarm on robbers swiping premium vinyl over the past month. At least four record shops have been hit—Reckless Records in Wicker Park, Rattleback Records in Andersonville, Meteor Gem in Avondale and Loud Pizza Records in suburban Highland Park—since Nov. 6, its owners said. No one is in custody and area detectives are investigating, a CPD spokesperson said. In most instances, a couple comes in during operating hours, with one distracting a shop keeper as the other takes rare vinyl and box sets off the store’s racks, then tries to slyly walk out, owners said. An employee at Reckless Records, 1379 N. Milwaukee Ave., was maced when he caught a man leaving with a stack of vinyl he didn’t pay for, said a Reckless employee, who asked not to be named.

Cary, NC | Records. Beer. Dankness. A popular vinyl record store opens in downtown Cary: There aren’t any places where you can find vintage vinyl and get a glass of IPA beer from a bartender spinning records in Cary. But now, music lovers, beer enthusiasts and everyone in between have a new place they can call their own. Hunky Dory, the vinyl record store with locations in Durham and Raleigh, has opened its third location on East Chatham Street in downtown Cary. The 800-square-foot store opened in The Center, next to Hank’s Downtown Dive and Di Fara Pizza Tavern. The Cary theater is across the street. Owner Michael Bell said customers can find their favorite records and beer from local breweries that will change each week. “We’ve got a refined mix of heavy-hitters, classic rock, jazz, soul, country records, a full range,” Bell said. “About 85% of the records are vintage.” Here’s what to know about the new store.

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Vinyl Alliance Bristles at Upcoming Changes to Indie Sales Reporting by Luminate: A change to how Luminate reports indie vinyl sales has the Vinyl Record Manufacturing Association (VRMA) and the Vinyl Alliance bristling. Here’s the latest. In Autumn 2023, Luminate announced a change to how it reports physical sales (vinyl, CD, cassette), relying on a direct representation of sales reported from indie retailers in the U.S. and Canada who have agreed to participate in Luminate data reporting. Historically and currently, indie sales are algorithmically determined due to the small number of record stores contributing to weekly sales activity. Both the VRMA and the Vinyl Alliance believe this shift will unfairly minimize numbers, creating a change in the true insight of indie sales at physical retail stores. “With less than 5% of independent physical retailers currently reporting directly to Luminate, the data collected will be a grossly inaccurate representation of the sales of physical products,” the group believes.

Glasgow, UK | Glasgow record store Palais de Danse moves premises: The shop reopened for business today in De Courcy’s Arcade on Cresswell Lane. Glasgow record shop Palais de Danse has relocated to new premises. The store reopened for business today, December 5th, in De Courcy’s Arcade on Cresswell Lane. Previously located on Sauchiehall Street, the shop opened in 2016 and will continue to stock second-hand house, techno, disco, soul, funk and 80s’ 12-inches and 7-inches. Since 2016, Palais de Danse has also been a label, putting out music by DSG and Lovejoy. Browse Instagram to see more photos of the new premises.

Chicago, IL | Vinyl record shops report surge in burglaries, shoplifting: Thieves are finding a new retail target across Chicago. Vinyl record shops are reporting a surge in burglaries and shoplifting. As Chicago police search for the culprits, record store owners have begun sharing information on the growing market of stolen vinyl records in an effort to deal with the wave of theft. “There are four other niche record stores within a couple of miles of here, you know, and they are doing the same thing I’m doing,” Meteor Gem owner Mikhail Fedyukov said. Fedyukov said he is devastated by last week’s break-in and is hoping that the local shops can work together to spot the stolen records. “There’s a store that actually had an attempted resale already, just two days later. They turned it down and got in touch right away,” Fedyukov said. Fedyukov told WGN News that he believed the thieves knew exactly what they were looking for. “I’m sure the shop got cased, first. Because they were in and out with a plan,” Fedyukov said.

Grand Rapids, MI | Meet the owner behind this Michigan city’s first Black-owned record store: She’s bringing a new community hub to Grand Rapids! Della Marie Levi can remember falling in love with music as a little girl, WOOD TV reports. Inspired by her late father, that passion stayed with her through adulthood, driving Levi to eventually become a DJ. “I’ve always loved music. My father was a record collector growing up. He loved vinyl records. He was in the special zone whenever he listened to his vinyl records,” Levi told reporters. As DJ Della Soul, Levi started learning on vinyl first, a feat of enormous proportion for any music professional. She then opened up a pop-up shop, selling the vinyl records she had collected with the goal of eventually opening up her own store. “I started collecting vinyl and I thought, ‘What is my next [endeavor] going to be?’ And I said, I’m going to own a record store,” said Levi. Now that dream has finally come true, with Levi opening the Della Soul Records shop on November 4th in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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New York, NY | How major retailers and Covid-era nostalgia helped revive the vinyl records industry: Once considered a dying industry, the vinyl record business has undergone a remarkable multibillion-dollar resurgence in the past decade. It has been fueled by popular artists such as Taylor Swift and major retailers including Target and Walmart, along with a growing wave of consumers rekindling their love for the nostalgic format during the Covid pandemic. “…When Taylor releases a new record, there may be eight, nine, 10, different variants of that same record—different colors, different combinations, maybe there’s some unique tracks that weren’t included on the digital release, or the CD, but you get it on the vinyl,” Michaels explained. “There’s a lot of fans that say, ‘There are eight different variants. I want one of each, please.’ They’re very supportive.” “…You have the whole musical ecosystem here,” he said. “You have artists, producers, studios—it all works together in a highly symbiotic way. It’s the perfect place, and we’re very fortunate to be here.”

Cleethorpes, UK | Cleethorpes record store gears up to open on Christmas Day for third year running in bid to bring smiles to those in need: Howlin’ Jacks Record Store will be open to all on Christmas Day between 11am and 1pm. A Cleethorpes record store is gearing up to open its doors for the third year running to bring joy, smiles, laughter and mince pies to people on their own or experiencing hardship this Christmas Day. Located at 41A High Street, Howlin’ Jacks Record Store will once again open up on Monday, December 25 from 11am to 1pm, where visitors will be served food courtesy of local eatery The Grumpy Kitchen, along with hot drinks and mince pies, completely free of charge. Live acoustic music will also be performed by local artist Ian Thorpe from the band 3rd and Church, with regular customers at the shop also set to attend to provide a friendly face and a chat for whoever attends. Shop owner Matt Driver told Grimsby Live: “I’ve decided to do the Christmas Day Hang Out for the third year because for the last two years it’s grown slightly each year. Around 15 to 20 people turned up last year which was slightly up on the year before.

Redditch, UK | Shoppers’ sadness as Redditch record store set to close: Record shoppers in Redditch have expressed their sadness after a beloved store announced its closure. Vintage Trax owner Ros Sidaway has “reluctantly” decided to call time on her store, which is located off Church Green East in the town centre. She says that 2023 has been a challenging year for the business, with the cost of living crisis having an impact on trade. Mrs Sidaway, aged 63, said the income has not been covering the overheads for the past few months. In addition, a bad fall earlier this year kept Mrs Sidaway away from the shop for five months. Her husband David had to step in and keep things ticking over with her sister, Teresa, who has worked with her since Vintage Trax began trading back in 2013. Patrons shared their sadness at the news on social media, with one person calling it one of the best shops in the town. Juliano Dal Berto said: “Very sad news, my collection is mostly made up of records from here. Best shop by miles, I’m gonna miss it.”

New York, NY | Casa Amadeo, New York’s Oldest Latino Record Store’s Success is Thanks to 90-Year-Old Owner’s Secret Formula: Miguel Ángel ‘Mike’ Amadeo is a living legend in Latino music, and his legacy in New York City is priceless. At 89 years old, he insists he’ll never retire from a career that has brought him so much joy and satisfaction. In an interview with mitú, the entrepreneur and owner of Casa Amadeo music store since 1969, shared his secret formula for keeping the doors open, even as the business model has changed and records don’t sell like they used to. “My formula is a promise I made to myself that I’ll only leave this place [the store] to the cemetery,” he said. He added, “I’ve been in music for almost 74 years, and it’s given me a fantastic life and the chance to support my family. I don’t think about retiring, and I’ve never talked about it; I’ll leave here when God takes me.” Despite being almost 90 years old, Amadeo is on a mission to bring music to every corner of the world. Amadeo is the epitome of a hard worker. Six days a week, he runs his store, working eight hours each day. He’s going to be 90 in May 2024.

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Chicago, IL | Multiple record stores in Chicago robbed, rare hardcore and metal records stolen: Last week, several rare records and box sets were stolen from Chicago record store Meteor Gem. The shop also mentioned that both Signal Records and Reckless Records also saw break-ins. Among the items stolen were a substantial collection of sought-after vinyl and box sets. The theft took place after the culprits broke into the store during the night, gaining access by breaking a window. The shop has since appealed to various Chicago record stores to be on the lookout for the stolen items and has shared a comprehensive list of the records and box sets that went missing. The list of stolen records from Meteor Gem…

Redcliffe, AU | Redcliffe welcomes old-school record store: Redcliffe locals no longer need to travel to Brisbane City to find the perfect vinyl, with a new record store taking the community by surprise. Hideous Records is an old-school record store situated on Oxley Avenue, with a wide range of records, posters, band t-shirts and turntables. Hideous Records owners Michael and Natasha Eaton say they want to bring back the sensory experience of buying and enjoying music. “We love music and we’ve always had records as part of our collection. We noticed that the northside of Brisbane was lacking a decent record store to buy new vinyl,” Michael and Natasha say. “We want to make our store a place where music lovers can come and browse through thousands of records and share stories about their favourite bands, the gigs they’ve been to and the most prized records in their collection.”

Ystrad Mynach, UK | New record shop opening in Ystrad Mynach—win a £25 voucher: Ystrad Mynach will have a new record shop this weekend – and readers of Caerphilly Observer can win a £25 voucher for the independent retailer. Fields of Magnetic Horizon opens its doors on Saturday December 2 at Jones Arcade, Pierhead Buildings. According to the man behind the new venture, former music executive Jonathan Richards, this will be the first record shop to grace the town in decades. …Jon returned to his hometown with his family ten years ago and continued to work freelance in the industry. But he also branched out to become a record dealer, helping to organise and attend a number of record fairs across south and West Wales. The name of the new shop connects with Jon’s former music career. Fields of Magnetic Horizon was the title of a two-CD Proto-Metal compilation that Jon was product managing for a record label during the mid-2000s.

Clifton, OH | Torn Light Records to close in Clifton. But is it gone for good? After a decade of bringing punk, jazz and experimental music to Greater Cincinnati, a Clifton record store will soon spin its last vinyl here. Torn Light Records, at 356 Ludlow Ave., will close after 10 years at venues in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, according to a Facebook post from the store. The store’s last day of operation will be Jan. 13, 2024. All gift cards will be redeemable through this date. Torn Light Records will reopen in Chicago next year, with more details to be announced later. The post explained that it was time for a change for the record store, which relocated from Bellevue to Clifton in 2019. “Thank you to all of our friends we’ve made over the years. Your support and helping us to grow has meant the world. Without you—we wouldn’t be here at all,” the post on the store account states.

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RSD’s Black Friday brings in the green: Record Store Day’s RSD Black Friday event reported a 25% spike in sales of the Top 500 bestsellers over 2022. Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS: the secret tracks (Geffen) was the top seller. The Rodrigo release was pressed on opaque deep purple vinyl, etched with a butterfly on the B side. Noah Kahan’s Cape Elizabeth EP (Republic), Linkin Park’s Lost Demos (Warner), The Doors’ Live From Bakersfield, August 21st, 1970 (Elektra/Rhino) and Post Malone’s Diamond Collection (Republic) rounded out the Top 5. Despite not having an RSD Black Friday release, Taylor Swift was the fourth biggest-selling artist at record stores on Black Friday weekend. Following Black Friday, Record Store Day launched RSD MRKT, an online marketplace platform for brick-and-mortar record stores. Maybe it’s finally time to splurge on those Hawkwind reissues.

Cary, NC | Hunky Dory, a seller of vinyl and craft beer, opening in downtown Cary: Hunky Dory, a combination vinyl record store and craft beer bar, plans to open at 121 East Chatham St. in the coming weeks (potentially with a soft opening this weekend), its owner Michael Bell tells Axios. Hunky Dory has existing locations on Durham’s Ninth Street and in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station district. Why it matters: Cary has seen tremendous growth in the past year, with the opening of a new downtown park, the addition of several new restaurants and buildings—with more still to open next year. “Years ago, I don’t think I would have ever considered” opening a store in downtown Cary, Bell told Axios. “But it’s definitely hopping” now. Details: Hunky Dory will open in an 800-square-foot space in a shopping development also home to Di Fara Pizza Tavern and Taipei 101. It will sell new and used records and will keep rotating taps of craft beers—though the shop might open to customers before its alcohol license is approved.

AL | The 7 Vinyl Record Stores In Alabama Where You Can Discover Rare Finds: Are you a music treasure hunter? A lot of people prefer music in its physical form, even as streaming services continue to grow. I like both for different reasons and know I am not alone. A leading industry data company shows a 21.7% jump in vinyl record sales for the first half of 2023 over the same period last year. If you are part of driving the trend and looking for titles to round out your collection, put these vinyl record stores in Alabama on your radar.

Chicago, IL | I’ve owned businesses in West Garfield Park for 60 years, and I’m not leaving: Marie Henderson runs Out of the Past Records. She’s seen the neighborhood change for the worse, but she said she is proud she’s “still here.” My name is Marie Henderson and I own Out of the Past record shop here on the West Side, 4407 W. Madison St. We call it “Out of the Past Dusty,” it’s an old shop. I haven’t changed it since we moved in here, and it’s cluttered full of records from the front to the back. We consider the record shop like people’s home because over the period of years, since people have been coming in, you always meet your cousins, or your sister, an old aunt you haven’t seen. And then you meet friends [you] went to school with. …Most of the people come in looking for blues and jazz. Me personally, I’m down for dusties because I’m old school. And so I go back as far as the 1960s and 1970s, when the Temptations [were popular]. But I really like all music and I don’t discriminate. If it’s new music and it’s good, I appreciate it.

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London, UK | Stocking a range of vinyl and CDs, the Deptford store launched over the weekend: South London has a new record shop. Located on Deptford High Street, Upside Down Records opened its doors last Saturday, November 18th. Run by Philippe Giron, who worked at Camberwell’s Rat Records up until its closure last June, the shop stocks a wide range of vinyl and CDs spanning all genres. It’s also open to buying second-hand records and hopes to sell second-hand audio equipment in the near future. “During my time at Rat, I learned to respect and appreciate all music tastes,” said Giron. “Record shops may have a reputation for being intimidating sometimes, but I believe you won’t find that here. I’ve come to realise that there’s no such thing as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ music: there’s only what touches an individual’s heart and soul, and what makes feet move.” He continued: “I go out of my way to find my customers what they want, whether it’s my bag or not, simple as that.”

Columbia, MO | How Kyle Cook keeps records spinning in Columbia: As an owner of an independent record business, Kyle Cook prioritizes collecting music media in hopes to bring music lovers together. Kyle Cook, co-owner of Hitt Records, has been collecting music for decades beginning with records he found in his parents’ basement as a kid. It wasn’t until he was old enough to purchase music for himself that he really started to expand his collection as well as his music taste. Cook’s decades of collecting music media have resulted in him now owning several thousand records and close to 1,000 CDs and cassette tapes. “One of the first records I bought with my own money [was] an album called ‘Buckingham Nicks,” Cook said. “So it’s like Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks three or four years before they joined Fleetwood Mac. It’s just like one of those albums to this day that is really hard to find and on CD is practically non-existent.”

Virginia Beach, VA | Record Store Recon: Vinyl Daze in Virginia Beach, VA: Take a break on your vacation in Virginia Beach, VA, and visit Vinyl Daze. Or listen to this podcast episode first to prepare your visit! Take a break on your vacation in Virginia Beach, VA, and visit Vinyl Daze. Record Store Recon discuss Goldmine’s visit to the Daze. The record store gets close to a perfect score—find out why. Listen in!

Is Pioneer DJ’s PLX-CRSS12 turntable really a “game-changer” for vinyl and digital DJs? How do you settle the DJ’s perennial debate of vinyl versus CDJ? Digital versus analogue? Purists versus practicalists? Well, Pioneer DJ had the wise idea of creating an all-in-one product to cater to the needs of both camps. Enter Pioneer DJ’s PLX-CRSS12: the world’s first hybrid turntable that’s primed for digital DJs, devout vinyl DJs, and everyone in between. Although CDJs and DJ controllers have become the norm for DJ booths in the past two decades, many DJs will know that there’s sometimes an unspoken prestige given to performers who spin vinyl. Could the CRSS12’s ability to connect to a laptop for digital DJing while allowing you to play vinyl natively open up the floodgates for more record spinners? Or is it just a gimmick that comes at a premium price of £1,199? “…They’re really stable decks. They’re everything you want from a physical, traditional turntable,” says UK producer/DJ Jon1st.

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Philadelphia, PA | LOVE Records: Brewerytown Beats brings a new vinyl popup to Radio Kismet in West Philly: The owner of the beloved Brewerytown brick and mortar offers a curated collection of Philly-themed records for your holiday shopping. Crate diggers rejoice! While Brewerytown Beats will close its Bailey Street location in North Philly this winter, owner Max Ochester has started a new popup shop, LOVE Records, inside Radio Kismet on 34th Street in West Philly for the holiday season. The popup will operate every Thursday through Saturday until the new year, from 11 a.m. until Radio Kismet’s podcast studios close at 4 p.m., with Ochester himself filling in to add evening hours when possible (check their Instagram for special hours). …At LOVE Records, Ochester says he hopes to stir up some holiday spirit and keep sharing the Philly records he can no longer sell at Brewerytown Beats.

Dallas, TX | 8 Offbeat Places to Buy Vinyl Records in Dallas: If you’re bored with more traditional record stores, this collection of businesses that happen to sell records has you covered. In recent years, collecting and listening to vinyl records has made a major comeback, and it’s not just hipsters and old people doing it anymore. In the age of streaming, purchasing physical copies of music is one of the best ways to financially support your favorite artists, and owning it on vinyl is how you do it in style. Now that even big-box retailers want in on record store mania, local businesses are leaning into unique angles to stand out. Whether they’re designated record stores with a twist or niche businesses that include vinyl records in their inventory, here are some North Texas stores that make buying new vinyl a unique experience.

Isle of Wight, UK | Isle of Wight’s vinyl legends shine at ‘Needles in the Groove’ exhibition launch: From legends of the yesteryear to modern hitmakers, Tuesday evening saw Isle of Wight musicians attend the official launch party for Needles in the Groove, a free exhibition bringing together eight decades of Isle of Wight music on vinyl. Showcasing records by Level 42, The Bees, Craig Douglas, Grade 2, Lauran Hibberd and many more Island musicians, the display runs until 8th December 2023 at The Depozitory in Ryde. To officially launch the exhibition, Stu Spiller – the frontman of grunge rockers Panda Swim – and Paul Armfield were among the performers. Legendary IOW Cherokees member, Brian Sharpe, also took to the stage, and was joined by blues singer Angelina for a couple of tracks. Brian’s records from the 1960s are among the ones on display. To add to the festivities, a plethora of Island musicians were in attendance.

Dalston, UK | A decade of hi-fi haven Brilliant Corners: Brilliant Corners co-founder Amit Patel discusses the first decade of the Dalston audiophile location. Founded by entertainment lawyers and brothers Amit and Aneesh Patel in 2013, Brilliant Corners has spent the last decade building a reputation as one of the world’s leading hi-fi bar and restaurant venues. Located in Dalston, the space houses a permanent audiophile sound system and regular events and vinyl DJs alongside its izakaya-inspired food offering and natural wine list. In the ten years since Brilliant Corners’ birth, Amit and Aneesh have expanded, catering to London’s growing vinyl and audiophile scene with new businesses such as Giant Steps (a travelling Soundsystem living in Hackney Wick), vinyl and wine store Idle Moments and a new bar, restaurant and live venue called mu.

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The Weighting is the Hardest Part: On October 16, Luminate, the company that compiles the music consumption data which feeds the weekly Billboard Charts, announced that effective December 29, 2023, it will discontinue its long-standing practice of weighting sales from independent record stores. And while Luminate has identified new stores for onboarding at a promising scale, they have not brought even a fraction of those stores on board. While weighting—a process of bumping up sales numbers from one reporting store to account for sales from other nearby non-reporting stores—has never been perfect, the removal of weighting without sufficient stores to replace it creates a chart system that less accurately reflects the marketplace. The results will impact artists, labels and albums of every scale from self-released to superstar.

Cardiff, UK | An official guide to Cardiff’s must-see record stores: Did you know the oldest record shop in the world is in Cardiff? Whether you’re looking for music you enjoy or want to support your local music scene, we’ve discovered some of central Cardiff’s best record stores. They are perfect for everyone, vinyl enthusiasts or those just starting their collection alike. The stores hold a brilliant array of second-hand vinyls and Welsh rarities. What’s even better? They’re all within walking distance so we hope you have a good playlist for your way there. Spillers Records: Many people are drawn to Spillers as it’s recognised as the oldest record shop in the world. Spillers was established in 1894 and it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re passing through the Morgan Arcade. Spillers holds a diverse range across all genres of music, as well as sections containing ‘new in this week’ and ‘playing locally soon’ which is perfect to check out what’s going on over the next couple of weeks…

Fox Point, WI | Ripple Records: The niche online record shop selling rare vinyl out of a Fox Point basement: Ripple Records sells rare videogame soundtracks, underground electronic music, and much more. When you walk into this Fox Point guitar and repair shop, you’d expect to hear guitars being tuned and played. And you do. But downstairs in the basement there is a different kind of musical tone being played. It’s the rhythmic sound of folding cardboard boxes, ripping bubble wrap, and taping packages. Beneath the Milwaukee Guitar Collective a young man is pursuing his musical dream, but he isn’t playing any instruments. “We are a niche little online record shop. So we primarily focus on genres that you might not find a lot of or much of at a normal record stop,” Peter Klein said. He’s the owner and sole employee of Ripple Records. It’s an online record shop that focuses on more niche genres and bands. The casual music fan won’t recognize many of the records here.

Sarasota, FL | For Dedicated Vinyl Collectors, the Hunt for the Next Great LP Never Ends: Fun fact: records recently surpassed CDs as the top-selling physical medium for the first time ever. Jen Kokay remembers vividly the first record she purchased on her own. She was around 12, browsing a thrift store while on a family vacation in Michigan, when she stumbled upon Combat Rock by the Clash. The copy itself was far from mint—it was a discard from the Grand Rapids Public Library, with writing on the label. But it changed everything. “You could tell this was going to be amazing,” says Kokay, sitting cross-legged on the floor of her second-floor walkup in Bradenton, as she pulls the LP from its alphabetically organized shelf. She had never heard of the Clash, but she remembers how the sleeve, which shows the band posing on train tracks and sporting leather and slicked-back hair, made her feel. “I don’t know who you are,” Kokay envisioned saying to the band, “but you look cool.”

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Redditch, UK | Redditch independent record shop announces closure: It’S the end of an era—or rather a decade—for indie record shop, Vintage Trax after its owner, Ros Sidaway, reluctantly announced the closure of the shop. It’s fair to say that 2023 has been a challenging year for the business, just off Church Green East in the town centre. The ongoing cost of living crisis and the overall state of affairs in the town have negatively impacted both footfall and customer spend, with income not covering the overheads for the past few months. In addition, a bad fall at the end of May kept Ros away from the shop for five months and her husband, David, had to step in and keep things ticking over with her sister, Teresa, who has worked with Ros since Vintage Trax began trading back in 2013. “I had hoped that, with Christmas fast approaching, trade would have begun to pick up but with just over four weeks to go there is no sign of that happening,” said Ros. “So, it’s with a heavy heart that I have had to take the hard decision to close down the shop early in the New Year.”

Grand Rapids, MI | First Black women-owned vinyl record shop opens in Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids welcomed a new cultural milestone with the opening of Della Soul Records, the first vinyl record shop owned by a Black woman. On Nov. 4, Grand Rapids welcomed a new cultural milestone with the opening of Della Soul Records, the city’s first vinyl record shop owned by a Black woman, according to WoodTV. Della Marie Levi, driven by her lifelong passion for music and inspired by her father’s vinyl record collection, has transformed her dream into reality by establishing this unique record store. Music has always held a special place in Levi’s heart, as she reminisced about her father’s enthusiasm for vinyl records. “He loved vinyl records. He was in the special zone whenever he listened to his vinyl records,” Levi fondly recalled to WoodTV. Her journey into vinyl records began when she decided to learn DJing using this classic medium. Starting with pop-up shops, she recently expanded into her permanent brick-and-mortar store on Kalamazoo Avenue near Hall Street, officially named Della Soul Records.

Newark, DE | Main Street record shopping: I started record shopping at some point during the pandemic. All of the time I spent alone allowed me to expand my listening habits and develop new interests, one of them collecting vinyl records. Since then, I’ve accumulated a rather sizable inventory consisting of a variety of genres and sounds. From The Strokes’ “Is This It” to Sufjan Stevens’ “Illinois” and “Carrie and Lowell” to, of course, the “La La Land” soundtrack (the cinephile in me always prevails), I now have enough records to satisfy myself for eternity. That doesn’t mean I have any plan of stopping. In the age of digital streaming, not enough people are aware of the solace that can be found in record shops. So, I recently visited all three of Main Street’s record stores, purchasing one album from each. Let this article act as a guide to the venues, as people should be more inclined to check them out.

St. Peter, MN | Gustavus professor, rapper opens record store in downtown St. Peter: For philosopher, rapper, theologian and now St. Peter’s newest business owner Jon Ivan Gill, music’s power to move and shape people’s lives is comparable to the influence of the divine. The idea that music can imbue its listeners and practitioners with identity, purpose and even guide them toward a good life drives Gill’s own work as an Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he explores the boundaries between hip-hop and philosophical and religious thought in courses like Philosophy and Battle Rap. So when Gill and his brother Steven Andrews decided to open up a new record store at 123 S. Minnesota Avenue, they chose a fitting name to describe the shelves of cutting edge and classic records inside: Aesthetic Religion, Records & Texts. Sandwiched between Rick’s Consignment and Antiques and Southern Minnesota Orthodontics, the downtown record store celebrated its grand opening on Friday by bringing the music to downtown St. Peter with a symphony of special events.

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London, UK | New record store, Upside Down Records, opens in South London: The new Deptford pre-loved vinyl and CD shop is run by Philippe Giron, who managed Camberwell’s beloved Rat Records for 15 years until its closure in June 2022. A new record store has opened in South London. Upside Down Records is the newest addition to Deptford High Street and aims to be a “social hub for music heads”. It specialises in secondhand vinyl and CDs, and so far pre-loved stock includes genres like house, reggae, drum & bass, IDM, jazz, funk, fusion and more. …The shop is run by Philippe Giron, who managed Camberwell’s beloved Rat Records for 15 years until its closure in June 2022. “Record shops may have a reputation for being intimidating sometimes, but I believe you won’t find that here”, Giron wrote on the store’s website. “…I’m always amazed by the level of passion from customers, and find that to be contagious. That’s why I’m starting Upside Down Records, to keep my passion alive.”

Belfast, IE | New business continuing the Van Morrison family legacy in east Belfast: A new east Belfast business is following in the footsteps of Van Morrison’s parents bringing vinyl sales – with a twist – to the Beersbridge Road for the first time in years. Set up by long-term friends Paddy Baird and Jason Hawthorne, Bread and Records brings together two unlikely businesses under one roof. Heading up Assemble Bakery, Mr Baird brings freshly baked treats and coffee to the shop, while Mr Hawthorne sells a carefully curated selection of new and vintage records through First Press Vinyl. The new bakery and record shop is based on the ground floor of a former two storey office building, on the Beersbridge Road. That same road was once home to Caledonia Records, a record shop set up by Van Morrison’s parents Violet and George after they returned to Belfast from California.

Stockton, UK | Tom Butchart’s Sound It Out Records makes staggering £23,500 as first lot goes under the hammer: The vinyl shop closed two months after Tom sadly died suddenly in his shop. More than £23,000 has already been raised from Sound It Out Records stock in memory of much-loved owner Tom Butchart. Store owner Tom sadly died suddenly in his shop in June, leaving his wife Clare, parents, three younger brothers, and the Teesside music community devastated. The Stockton vinyl shop closed two months later after serving the North East since 1998. …Over the years the shop grew and became one of the most popular vinyl shops in the country. At the time of Tom’s death, Teesside Live reported on the hundreds of tributes left to Tom. His wife Clare said: “Thank you to everyone for the many kind, heartfelt messages we’ve received about Tom. “There are so many of them which shows just how well loved and respected Tom was. We are utterly devastated at his loss but people’s kind words are a comfort to me and Tom’s family at this impossibly difficult time.”

Palm Beach, FL | Rust & Wax store grows along with the popularity of new and used vinyl records. It’s almost cliché to say that the pandemic inspired bold change in people’s lives. Quarantine-induced reflection worldwide saw individuals taking stock. For Florida natives Melanie Feldman and Jesse Feldman, COVID-19 couldn’t have come at a better time. It helped propel their side gig selling vintage goods into one of Palm Beach County’s premier record stores, Rust & Wax. The West Palm Beach-based store focuses primarily on selling new and used vinyl records, everything from the latest Taylor Swift album to classic rock, indie pop, reggae and jazz. Business is going so well that the store will move to larger digs in January, just a few doors down from their current location within Industry Alley, a hip, rehabbed retail oasis just off Belvedere Road adjacent to the railroad tracks. “We’re doubling our size, to about 1,600 square feet of retail space,” says Melanie.

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