In rotation: 7/8/19

UK | Collection of every U.K #1 vinyl single could fetch up to £30,000: A remarkable collection featuring every U.K #1 vinyl single from 1952 to 1992 is heading for sale at Sworders Auctions this week. The collection features 684 vinyl records, which tell the story of the ‘Golden Era’ of the singles charts and the changing face of pop culture in Britain. Together, the records are now expected to sell for £20,000 – £30,000 when they go up for sale in Essex on July 7, as part of the ‘Into the Groove, 1950-1975’ sale. The collection is the life’s work of Tim Claydon, who spent 44 years hunting for singles after being inspired by a childhood purchase. “My collection was fuelled by my grandmother taking me, in 1963 as a three-year-old, into Woolworths in Maldon High Street to buy my very first single – ‘She Loves You’ by The Beatles,” said Claydon. “As a young child I played my parents’ discs on our little record player, some 78s and some 45s. If not listening to those over and over again, I would be listening to Radio Caroline or Radio Luxembourg on our transistor radio.”

Eugene, OR | Skip’s Records & CD World closing after 30 years: After 30 years in business, Skip’s Records & CD World is closing its doors. “It is with very mixed emotions and sadness that we have decided to retire at this time and liquidate the store,” owner Skip Hermens said Wednesday in a Facebook page post announcing the closing. Surrounded by customers Friday seeking to say goodbye and to make one last purchase, Hermens said he and his wife, Sue, are shocked to see all of love and support erupting from the community after their announcement. The post has more than 130 comments full of memories and well wishes from the community. “People are commenting all sorts of things, memories and experiences we didn’t even know about,” Hermens said emotionally. “We had no idea we touched so many lives.” And while there’s been a lot of tears, the last 24 hours have been really exciting, Hermens said. Despite what some may say, the internet didn’t take over. There are still people who want physical music, he said. “You buy a record and it’s in your hand,” Hermens said. “It’s something to hold and it means something.”

Los Angeles, CA | What Is The Future of Hollywood’s Treasured Amoeba Records? …Although they won’t be closing, the space where Amoeba currently stands will be home to a 26-story complex in the future. The City Council voted to approve zoning changes that will allow development on the property on Sunset and Cahuenga. Making a pretty penny, the store sold the building to developer GPI Cos. in 2015 for $34 million. In 1990 co-founder Marc Weinstein created Amoeba Records and opened up the first of their three stores. As bigger giants like Tower Records and Sam Goody were crumbling around them, Weinstein and his partners took a gamble that ended up paying off not only for them, but for everyone within a 20 mile radius of their shops. Following their flagship store in Berkeley, they set up shop in San Francisco in 1997, and in 2001 they moved down south to Hollywood, CA. “Thank you for all your love, concern, and support. The LA community and music lovers from around the world have embraced us and enabled us to build and grow one of the greatest record stores in the world. This will be a new chapter for all of us and we’re looking forward to landing in our new spot in Hollywood,” Amoeba Records added.

Marshalltown, IO | For the record: Locals wax poetic about a love of vinyl. …Warren Wolken has owned Odds & Ends since 2002. Then in 2014, Blabaum approached him about doing a side business that would focus on music, while Warren sold vintage and modern gaming systems and cartridges. In April of 2018, the pair moved the store to its current spot (next door to the old location). It offers thousands of new and used 33’s, 45’s and 78’s, plus phonographs, turntables and other accessories. “We have people just come and hang out and listen to music for hours,” Blabaum said. He said young customers are often shocked that the tunes humming out through the store’s speakers come from a record player in the center of the store. “A customer was looking up at a speaker and said ‘I can’t figure out what CD this is.’ I said it’s a record playing and he said ‘a buddy of mine said I needed to get vinyl. I didn’t know it sounded that good.’ I sold him a turntable and he’s been back in every week to buy vinyl,” Blabaum said.

London, UK | Independent Label Market returns to London with exclusive releases: With over 80 imprints hawking their wares. Independent Label Market returns to London’s Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross this year. London is the original home for ILM, which started in 2011. The free record fair has since gone on to host its events across the world, including Europe, the US and Canada, with over 250 independent record labels have been featured to date. 84 labels will be featured at the forthcoming London instalment, including !K7, BBE, Bella Union, Big Dada, Brainfeeder, Dirty Hit, Domino, Erased Tapes, Fire, Heavenly, Infectious, Marathon, Matador, Ninja Tune, Play It Again Sam, Strut. ILM will also host a stage for the first time, with Leatherhead, Tiña and Alan Power performing, alongside DJ sets by Ace Records, Black Beacon Sound, Castles In Space, Fire Records, Heavenly Records, Mukatsuku, The Leaf Label, WONDERFULSOUND. Independent Label Market: London 2019 takes place Saturday 13th July at Coal Drops Yard, Kings cross, from 11am to midnight. Followed by afterparties at Spirit Land and its sister venue SUPERMAX.

Auckland, NZ | Record revival: The first NZ vinyl press since 1987 opens in Auckland: Rumour has it that the last vinyl press in New Zealand was ripped for scrap metal, with its remains pushed into Wellington harbour. That was back in September, 1987. Vinyl was dead. Or, at least, it was supposed to be. In Auckland on Friday night, vinyl was revived with the release of the first batch of locally made and pressed vinyl records in 32 years. Music industry watchers have, recently, been almost obsessed with reports talking up the unwavering and often growing popularity of vinyl. A format that was supposed to have died decades ago is now being championed by young music lovers who, in the age of streaming, prefer the old analogue format. In the heart of Auckland city, downhill from the Sky Tower in an area that tries to keep its industrial look for nothing but aesthetic, is the focal point of New Zealand’s vinyl revolution. It’s being led by two 28-year-old mates, Ben Wallace and Joel Woods.

Emeryville, CA | Pirate’s Press: Vinyl Record Revival: “…For many people, collecting vinyl is a connection to the artists or bands that someone loves. Unlike in the past where it was necessary to collect all music on a physical format, today people have to make the conscious choice to do so, as there are so many intangible formats of music that people can consume cheaply and conveniently. When people choose to collect vinyl, they are making a statement about both their connection to the music, as well as their passion for it. As the trends continue to evolve, as more people take the cheap and easy route for consuming music, the meaning that vinyl collecting has for the artists gains significance, and in doing so, the relationship between the collector and the artist gets closer. It’s not realistic to think that a majority of people are going to start collecting all of their music on vinyl, but the passion people have for the format, and all of the wonderful things they get out of participating in the collectors’ market and then having connections with the band or artist through their vinyl, will never disappear.”

Stray Cats Announce Runaway Boys Deluxe Vinyl Boxset For September 2019 Release: After recently announcing their first new album in 26 years, the Stray Cats have announced that they are releasing a deluxe vinyl boxset called Runaway Boys. The boxset is set to be released September 27 via BMG and will include four LP’s, with three of them being the bands first three classic albums Stray Cats, Gonna Ball, and Rant’N’Rave. Each album will be pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl. The boxset will also include an LP called Rare Cuts, an eleven track album with rare B sides and deep cuts from the band’s archive. It will also include a 40-page book that contains classic interviews the band has done over the years, never before seen photos, and rare memorabilia. Along with the LP’s and book, a board game is also included. Rumble in the Brighton The Game is the name of the board game and its premise is to race across South East England, from the Ace Café to have a rumble in Brighton. It will include unique Stray Cats playing pieces, dice and a drawstring bag.

Nike unveils vinyl record-inspired Air Max 90: Inspired by records and “music of the ’90s.” Nike is releasing a new Air Max 90 model inspired by vinyl records on August 24, reports Sneaker Freaker. Air Max 90 Vinyl model features a black vinyl upper, red accents, an ice blue sole, and a vinyl record design with the Nike logo inside it on each tongue. The sneaker is the latest in Nike’s music inspired Air Max 90 range, following its Mixtape Side A and Mixtape Side B models in June. Those shoes featured ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ on both tongues (depending on which model you chose) with “33 1/3 RPM” text alongside it.

This entry was posted in A morning mix of news for the vinyl inclined. Bookmark the permalink. Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment.
  • SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL INDIE SHOPS SINCE 2007


  • Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text
  • Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text