Sonic Boom Records Changes Ownership, Will Remain Open: Rumors and reports have been floating for months that Sonic Boom, the beloved record store, once part of a small chain started by Jason Hughes and Nabil Ayers in 1997, would be closing down or changing hands now that A) neither Hughes nor Ayers lives in Seattle and B) you try selling physical records for a living and see how long you last. But less than an hour ago, a press release confirmed that the Ballard store would stay open, now under the proprietorship of Mike Pitts, “a longtime customer and fellow music lover who wishes to continue in the same tradition” that Hughes and Ayers have kept rolling for 19 years.
The Record Hunt: Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY): At 5pm on a Thursday, some Thursdays ago, Robert Baird and I embarked on a post-work record hunt in Brooklyn. More specifically, we explored Williamsburg, otherwise referred to as “Hipster Land” (footnote 1). Aside from being an all-round neat neighborhood, Williamsburg is also home to quite a few record shops. This trip, we decided to keep our stops to a minimum and focus on two of our favorites: Rough Trade (64 N 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249) and Earwax Records (167 N 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211).
What The Tech? Turntables making a comeback: Millennials are choosing old technology over new technology when it comes to music. Vinyl records or LPs are back and baby boomers aren’t responsible. “This craze has kind of taken off in the last couple of years, mainly because the younger generation is loving vinyl again,” said Crystal Griffith of AudioTechnica. “I don’t blame them because it’s so experiential.” Griffith said the younger generation discovered music sounds better when played on vinyl and they enjoy the artwork and tactile experience of seeing and holding a record.
Sonic Suitcase plays music with the style of an Alabama Maker: What do you think of when you hear the term, Sonic Suitcase? A suitcase for travel at the speed of sound? A symphonic concert instrument from the future? Something out of a spy movie? When you walk into Dr. Music’s store on Church Street in Fairhope, Alabama, you find yourself surrounded by vinyl records, CDs, posters and all things retro. But if you look at one particular shelf on the left, you will think of a movie set. Vintage suitcases line the wall, with speakers protruding from their sides.
Banquet Records auctions one-off Blink 182 banner for Refugee Action Kingston after legendary pop-punk band’s intimate Rose Theatre gig: A Kingston record store is auctioning a unique Blink 182 banner for charity following the world-renowned pop punk band’s exclusive show in Kingston. Banquet Records, which organised the unlikely gig, is auctioning a 5ft-wide ‘Blinkquet’ banner, which was hung above the Eden Street store to mark the release of the band’s latest album. Last month, the Californian trio, who have sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, played two exclusive acoustic sets at the Rose Theatre.
New Star Wars vinyl record collectibles being released: A new set of collectible 10-inch vinyl records will be released during the Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016. “Star Wars Headspace,” is executive produced and curated by producer Rick Rubin and features the track “Jabba Flow: Rick Rubin Re-work (Feat. A-Trak)” by Shag Kava on both sides with Kylo Ren and BB-8 character images, according to a press release from Disney Music.
