New York, NY | Still spinning: NYC music-lovers keep coming back to vinyl records, both old and new: “I put something on the vinyl and it’s a totally different relationship to it,” says Kamaal Ibn John Fareed. Fareed, famously known as Q-Tip, is one of the most influential hip-hop figures of all time. From co-founding one of rap’s most progressive groups, A Tribe Called Quest, to sustaining a prosperous solo career, Q-Tip’s success in music has transcended multiple eras. The 52-year-old rap legend, who grew up listening to vinyl, entered A1 Record Shop in the East Village neighborhood of New York City with a kind of jubilant energy that electrified an otherwise rainy Thursday evening. From the looks of it, he seemed at home in a space he knows all too well, among a niche and growing community of record collectors — or “cratediggers” as they’re often referred to. Cratediggers come in a variety of forms including, but not limited to: lifelong collectors, millennials looking to use records as decor, sample-based producers looking for sounds to rip, and flat-out music junkies in love with music in its purest medium.
Landsdowne, PA | Vinyl Revival announces grand reopening and ribbon cutting: Delaware County’s home for new and vintage vinyl records, accessories with rock ‘n’ roll style, and music-themed events — announced that it has relocated to 26 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne. It’s celebrating with a grand reopening and ribbon cutting for the community at the new store on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. Representatives from Lansdowne Borough Council, the Lansdowne Business & Professional Association, Lansdowne Economic Development Corp. and other special guests will attend. Vinyl Revival will be offering sales, promotions, and door prizes all day long to introduce new customers to the store and thank loyal fans already familiar with the unique shopping destination. Shoppers can also enjoy music, light refreshments and drinks in celebration all day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “As we begin our 10th anniversary year, I’m excited about the expansion of our store and that we can continue calling Lansdowne home,” said DiFabio.
CA | Our Lady Peace Named 2023 Record Store Day Canada Ambassadors: The 16th annual celebration of the culture of independent record stores is set to take place on April 22–and Our Lady Peace is officially named as this year’s Record Store Day Canada (RSDC) ambassador with a band-approved career-spanning 2-disc, 20-track vinyl compilation entitled Collected 1994-2022 set for release. Included with the collection are two previously unreleased tracks. Past Canadian ambassadors have included Triumph, The Sheepdogs, and on the global stage Taylor Swift served as last year’s recording artist. RSD was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and market the unique culture surrounding the then nearly 1400 independently-owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally. This year, roughly 240 stores continue selling vinyl, CDs and collector paraphernalia, and many of these will participate in the marketing campaign that brings with it a great number of unique, one-off vinyl offerings proffered by enthused acts and participating record companies.
Normal, IL | Local record stores Waiting Room and North Street spin differently: In an era where music streaming can be found anywhere, listening to a record may seem old-school. However, Uptown Normal is the home of two record shops: Waiting Room Records and North Street Records. The stores also happen to be on the same block and a few doors apart from each other. Jeff Wilson is the owner of North Street Records. He spoke about his experience managing a record store at a time when there are many streaming services widely available. “Vinyl is really popular again, so streaming is just one avenue to get music,” Wilson said. “I think a lot of people that actually want to own a classic album or one of their favorites is going to buy a vinyl or CD…a lot of people want a hard copy.” Although a vinyl seller, Wilson said that he likes the idea of streaming. “I think streaming is really nice, it’s kind of like radio back in the day,” Wilson said. “You could listen to stuff but you don’t really own it.”
But is 
Kendall, FL | Audiophile Paradise Fruit Fly Records Opens in Kendall: At Fruit Fly Records, South Florida’s newest record store, the rarest, most expensive record on display is a limited-edition, Japanese pressing of Daft Punk’s seminal 2001 album Discovery, sealed and in mint condition. Emblazoned with the cartoon cast of the album’s feature-length animated music video Interstella 5555, it’s one of the most sought-after records by collectors. The highest price anyone ever paid for a copy on the record marketplace website Discogs? $2,368.56. The store’s copy is not for sale. This is not the kind of place one goes to pick up a dusty copy of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, in other words. It’s a shop where you may just be able to find the best record you’ve ever heard. Owner Giovanni Hanna says he wanted to put into the shop the same level of meticulous care that he uses for his own collection. Most of the stock is in 
Seoul, KR | Vinyl craze continues: Retro shops offering analog music experience draw younger generation. On a recent Tuesday afternoon, a retro cafe in Insa-dong, central Seoul, saw people chilling out on sofas, listening to music from the 1970s and ’80s. Each table was equipped with a vinyl record player and a headset for visitors to indulge themselves in music from the likes of British rock band Queen to Korean legend Lee Moon-sae. “It seems like young people nowadays like LPs more than older people do,” said the only middle-aged man in the place, who introduced himself as a 53-year-old vinyl collector surnamed Kang. “They are enjoying old tunes which they are unfamiliar with, while I don’t really listen to songs from these days.” Kang cut a conspicuous figure at Music Complex Seoul, one of a new type of business allowing visitors to enjoy a vast vinyl collection alongside coffee or alcoholic beverages. More than 90 percent of visitors to the vintage coffee place are 
UK | The 1975 announced as Record Store Day ambassadors for 2023: “Independent record stores are the lifeblood of the music industry and have played a crucial role in our story so far” The 1975 have been announced as ambassadors of Record Store Day 2023. The band will fly the flag for the annual event – which takes place on Saturday, April 22 – where hundreds of UK independent record shops celebrate their culture with many exclusive vinyl releases and shop performances. As part of their role, the Manchester band will be releasing a live performance with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on vinyl for the first time on this year’s Record Store Day. …Speaking about the honour, frontman Matty Healy said: “The guys and I are really proud to be ambassadors for Record Store Day this year. Independent record stores are the lifeblood of the music industry and have played a crucial role in our story so far. It couldn’t be more important to support their 
Washington, DC | Washington DC’s Songbyrd Serves Up Shows, Vinyl & All Things Good: Empathy is always a trait associated with live music venues. At one point, locally owned venues doubled as watering holes for locals, and patrons were greeted with cigarette ash and dimly lit stages. Over the years we have seen venues shape up and improve their standards and practices, but there is still plenty of room left to innovate, that’s where Washington DC’s Songbyrd comes in. The new and improved Songbyrd location is dedicated to creating intimate moments between artists and fans and their community-centered approach to running both Songbyrd and Byrdland Records allows for their connection to go beyond their walls. Since their move in 2020, their dedication to the local DC art scene and bringing refreshing sounds into the city has only become stronger as they continue to set the bar for 
