Record Store Day Announces RSD Drops Lists: Titles To Be Released At Record Stores On July 12 and July 17. As announced earlier, Record Store Day, as it has come to be known, will not be celebrated in 2021… While we’d all love nothing more than a party at our local record stores, large groups still aren’t the thing right now. However, in our eyes, those independently-owned community businesses remain essential and may still need the revenue brought in by the sales of those sought-after Record Store Day titles. So, this year, we will celebrate and support indie record stores– the importance of their culture and their unyielding tenacity– as we did last year, with two events, but with one list of releases, which we are proud to announce today. At press time, the Record Store Day website has launched an RSD Drops List for both dates, detailing which of the titles will be coming to record stores on June 12, the previously announced date, and July 17, the newly added date. RSD organizers have worked tirelessly with artists, labels and distribution to assign dates to the titles on the Record Store Day 2021 List. A PDF shopping/wish list can be downloaded and printed, and titles can be viewed on the website along with artwork and more detail.
Columbus, OH | The Needle Exchange finds its niche in a crowded record store scene: In addition to used LPs and cassettes, Ian Graham will partner with Harm Reduction Ohio to offer literature and free Narcan on-site at his new North Clintonville shop. As a record collector, I often feel blessed to live in Columbus. Save a few major metropolitan areas, our city has to have one of the finest concentrations of quality record stores anywhere in the nation. What’s one more going to hurt? That certainly had to be a question local musician, radio personality and record clerk Ian Graham asked during his pursuit to open the newly christened Needle Exchange Records & Tapes in North Clintonville. He’s spent the last five years behind the counter at Lost Weekend Records, and has learned a thing or two about the ins and outs of keeping a store afloat from owner and mentor Kyle Siegrist. “A piece of record store philosophy that Kyle passed on is that stores aren’t really in competition here…”
Lansing, MI | Loud dispatches from Lansing’s music scene: How to sell used vinyl records in Lansing. Whether you’re a casual vinyl buyer, or a serious record collector, the need to unload some unwanted wax arises every once in a while. Sure, there are profitable online selling options, like Discogs and eBay, but that requires some tedious vinyl-grading wisdom, and the time it takes to ship records at the often-crowded post office. Hauling in a box to local record shops is often the easiest option, plus you leave with a few bucks in your pocket. Of course, not all vinyl is valuable, so learning the ropes before you head out is a good idea. Vinyl experts Heather Frarey (owner of The Record Lounge in REO Town) and Jon Howard (manager of Flat, Black & Circular in downtown East Lansing), offered up some friendly advice to consider before you lug those heavy crates of LPs over to their respective stores. Here’s what they had to say.
Nederland, CO | Boogie Records Celebrates Two Year Anniversary: Arthur DeVitalis, Nederland. Ryan Blackwell has continued the tradition of hits, one-offs and B sides with Boogie Records. He’s looking forward to a big celebration of the shop’s second anniversary. Blackwell just finished remodeling the store just in time for the two-year birthday this April 4. The shop has been buying and selling vinyl records, record players and more in Ned since April 2019. “Business is good. I’d like to invite people to come down and check it out if they haven’t been before,” he said. The store looks out onto the community garden, which features a grassy area and picnic tables. He’s been in talks with the owner of the building, and they’ve envisioned Friday night concerts starting in the summertime, provided Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease up over time.
Teesside, UK | 30 jobs as Middlesbrough becomes home to vinyl record pressing factory: The factory plans to make 100,000 records a year as interest in vinyl continues: Middlesbrough has become home to a vinyl pressing plant after a group of music lovers launched their own company. Press On Vinyl has been launched by Danny Lowe, David Todd and David Hynes, who have been part of the local music scene in Teesside for 20 years. The trio have taken their love of music to the next level after making the jump to manufacturing vinyl’s from their new site at Middlesbrough’s Tees Advance Manufacturing Park (TeesAMP). The company already employs 10 members of staff but plans to take its headcount to 30 by the end of the year, so it can make 100,00 records a month. Mr Lowe said: “As three local guys we’re really excited to set up this unique business at TeesAMP. “We’re combining our skills from our day jobs in engineering and business management with our extensive knowledge of the music industry to bring the first ever record pressing plant not only to the North, but specifically to Middlesbrough, and we’re really proud of that.
Bangkok, TH | Pan-Asian label More Rice opens a record store in Bangkok: Located above a bar and candle shop, More Rice Record Store specialises in dance music. More Rice, a Bangkok-based label focused on Asian producers, has launched a record store in the Thai capital. Outfitted with a Void Acoustics soundsystem and a DJ booth, More Rice Record Store is currently open and will host an official launch party on April 30th. Run by the same team behind the label, the physical shop is situated in downtown Bangkok and carries club records as well as apparel and accessories. It aims to throw events while acting as a place “where people can connect outside of a club,” according to a press release. More Rice Record Store is located at 235/4 Sukhumvit 31 in Bangkok’s Wattana neighborhood. Visit the official website and Instagram page for updates.
South Bend, IN | South Bend Record Show returns this month: The South Bend Record Show is returning this month as the largest one-day sale of recorded music in Michiana. Guests can shop for their favorite records, posters, cassettes, and more on April 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ramada by Wyndham at 52890 IN-933 N. Over 30 dealers from seven states will fill more than 80 tables with music items. Vendors will sell anything from $2 bargains for new collectors to rare items for advanced enthusiasts. The core of the record show focuses on pre-loved LPs and 45s but select vendors will be selling new released on vinyl, cassettes, CDs, posters, memorabilia, music videos, and vintage stereo gear. The show focuses on rock, metal, pop, and punk from the 1960s to today but will also include country, jazz, and movie soundtracks. “Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were only able to have three shows last year,” said South Bend resident Jeremy D. Bonfiglio, who organizes the event. “We had a great response to our first show of 2021 back in February and can’t wait to do it again.”
AU | New Australian Brand Voodoo Labs Is Focused On Vinyl Record Care: Voodoo Labs might be a new brand to the Australian market and, indeed, the world, but its owner has been a lifelong vinyl enthusiast. Founded by the same team that brought EGM Audio and its now wildly popular cable range to the Australian marketplace, Voodoo Labs is focused on offering Australians an affordable and complete range of vinyl care accessories. The range (at launch) includes cleaning accessories, turntable accessories, and the hero product in the range – the Vinyl Magic Record Cleaning Machine priced at just $109.95 RRP. All products in the Voodoo Labs range come with a 2-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. To celebrate Voodoo Labs’ launch, for April 2021, when you buy the Vinyl Magic Record Cleaning Machine, you’ll get a BONUS Vinyl Magic Record Cleaning Goo for FREE. Simply use the code STEREONET at the checkout.
