Why vinyl records have made major comeback: …In the process of cleaning up I also visited my collection of CDs and vinyl records, many going back to the 1970s. I also have a few shellac records which belonged to my mother, including her favourite “Shenandoah Waltz” from the 1950s…The record sleeves themselves were works of art and I recall the beautiful psychedelic renditions on many covers, which appealed to the youthful eye. When you buy vinyl today, it is like an investment. There are many people buying, collecting and reselling vinyl and it tends to retain if not increase its value over time so you can sell or pass it down to your children as an appreciating asset. There is something special about removing a well kept record from its colourful sleeve, wiping it down with an anti-static cloth and holding it by the edges before carefully sliding it down the spindle of a good quality turntable.
Baltimore, MD | Baby’s on Fire to soft open Fells Point location tomorrow, host festivities next week: Baby’s on Fire is set to open its new Fells Point location tomorrow, and fittingly the record store and cafe that is setting up a new coffee shop in another record store, The Sound Garden, will mark the occasion next week with a free concert. The local indie band PLRLS is performing a set on Nov. 27–the day before Thanksgiving–followed by music from DJ David K, aka Baby’s on Fire co-owner David Koslowski, the store announced yesterday. One night before that, four comics will perform as part of Ugly Baby: A Comic Show. But if you’re just dying to see the new cafe, housed in the Sound Garden’s old vinyl room, the soft opening starts tomorrow at 7 a.m. and promises coffee, scones, sandwiches and more. Sound Garden owner Bryan Burkert told Baltimore Fishbowl last April he approached Koslowski and his wife and co-owner, Shirlé Hale-Koslowski, about combining forces to “give the store a better vibe” and also boost foot traffic.
Phonocut lets you cut your own vinyl record: Vinyl records are back in our living rooms, with sales steadily growing in recent years to a level that could see the format outsell CDs for the first time since the mid-1980s. That’s great news for consumers, but for gigging bands and solo performers not signed to a major label, getting in on the vinyl action could be out of their budgets. That’s where Phonocut’s Home Vinyl Recorder might help. Essentially the device allows users to plug in an audio source (wireless connectivity is in development), place a blank vinyl record on the platter and push a button to start cutting a 10-inch vinyl record at home, at the studio or in the rehearsal space. Of course, you don’t have to be a musician to make the most of this system, you could just create the vinyl equivalent of mix-tapes to give to a loved one. Phonocut recommends that it’s “special recipe” blanks are used to ensure the “highest fidelity, longest durability and cleanest cut.”
Take Those Old Records Off the Shelf: For the past ten years, vinyl sales have been rising more than they have since cassettes first came out. Record stores have been opening back up around the country with events to promote their sales like the annual Record Store Day in April. More and more people are posting about their latest vinyl selection on social media. The question is why? Why are vinyl records coming back in an age of digital music like Spotify and Pandora that make listening to music cheaper and easier. People may argue that vinyl has a nostalgic aspect to it. …Senior, William Mangum, doesn’t get the whole vinyl phase . …However, Senior, Jesus Landa, would disagree with Mangum. “Vinyl just seems more real to me. It’s like holding tangible music in the palm of my hand.” he continues, “I definitely think it’s worth [paying] the extra money for vinyl. Owning music online doesn’t really feel like you own it.” Landa also agrees with the nostalgic aspect of vinyl, “…listening to the music through actual vinyl instead of blaring it through speakers calls to some people.”
Get pumped for Rocket League with a new vinyl soundtrack: If you’ve been craving an analog answer to your Rocket League wishes, then iam8bit has a special gift just for you. The company has announced the Rocket League x Monstercat: Greatest Hits 2-LP vinyl soundtrack set! The fan-curated album is available for pre-order on iam8bit.com, and it will feature 18 tracks that include music by Slushii, Infected Mushroom, Tristam, Dion Timmer, Muzzy, Tokyo Machine, and more. Rocket League is known for its pulsing, addictive music, and now it can play in your home! If you pre-order the Rocket League x Monstercat: Greatest Hits soundtrack before midnight on December 2nd, you’ll receive access to exclusive Rocket League in-game bonus content! And this will be the only time you can get these bonus items. Check out what’s available…
IE | 7 of the best record shops in Ireland: Taking our cue from Red Bull Radio’s Counter Intelligence show, we look at some of Ireland’s best record stores. If you’re a regular listener to Red Bull Radio, you’ll be aware that Counter Intelligence – the show that highlights the stories behind both some of the most famous and most obscure record stores around the globe – is a cracking listen. (And if you’re not a regular listener, get on it, stat.) Taking that show as our cue, we’ve put together a list of some of the best and most interesting record stores in Ireland that are worthy of their stories being shared – and at the very least, 
Verona, IT | Inside Mother Tongue – Europe’s newest pressing plant: A visual tour of the Italian vinyl outpost. As demand for vinyl has increased in the last ten years, so has the number of pressing plants, whether in high profile affairs such as Jack White’s Third Man in Detroit, or a number of independent operations pressing records for niche audiences. One of these operations is Mother Tongue. Located in Verona, Northern Italy, the pressing plant was launched by producer Patrick Gibin and a group of friends – with the help of an EU grant – in early 2019, and encompasses a record label, online shop and distribution service. Tackling the complex and 
Fort Wayne, IN | Neat Neat Neat Records and Music to continue under new ownership: After nearly a decade in business, the owner of a local record store is hanging up his hat, but the shop’s doors are remaining open. Neat Neat Neat Records and Music has been a fixture on Calhoun Street but after nine years in business, owner Morrison Agen announced on Facebook that they were looking to sell the store and all it’s contents with plans to liquidate if they could not sell. Luckily for their customers, it was not long before someone stepped up. “It took six days from the time we were offered the store to the time we took over,” said Chris Roetz, the new manager of Neat Neat Neat. The store was sold to local music franchise Wooden Nickel. Roetz is transitioning into his new role from working as General Manager of the Jefferson Boulevard Wooden Nickel location. He previously owned Entourage Music, which was located in Glenbrook Mall. Roetz wants it to be clear that while Wooden Nickel now owns Neat Neat Neat, they are not the same store. They plan on keeping the same name and branding the shop is known for, as well as keeping it’s 
London, UK | ‘Westfield delays to blame for horrible decline in Croydon town centre’ says record store manager: Duncan Barnes says empty shops were unheard of ten years ago. There has been a ‘horrible decline’ in footfall for Croydon town centre according to one business owner who blames Westfield delays. Duncan Barnes runs 101 Records which moved to North End in 1991, it was previously based near East Croydon station. He said that 10 years ago empty shops in Croydon were unheard of, and you just need to walk through the town centre to see that is not the case today. Duncan said: “Footfall has declined horribly in Croydon for years. It used to be a thriving cosmopolitan place and it was always busy.” And he believes that Westfield delays are partly to blame and does not think the billion pound shopping centre will ever be built. He added: “North End has been declining for years and 
