AU | Vinyl outsells CDs for the first time ever: Once banished to the back of your parents cupboard to gather dust and spend the rest of its natural life in darkness, a comeback tour is now in effect for the classic vinyl and for the first time ever it has outsold its predecessor the CD. With the invention of the CD in the 1980s many thought this was the death of the big, black flat CD, but collectors young and old are embracing the vintage format and taking a trip down memory lane. According to Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), vinyl album sales in Australia made up the biggest segment of physical music sales in 2021, at $29.7 million, compared with $24.9 million for CD albums. Victor Beats owner, Steve Payne said that it’s a mix of older people, but mostly younger people heading into his Ocean Street store to pick up their new favourite artists in all their vinyl glory. “I began my first vinyl shop in 1982 called Veranda Music in Adelaide which I owned for five years,” Steve said.
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 mint or near-mint condition. “I’ve always been neurotic about condition,” Hanna says. “No matter what it is I’ve bought in my life, I’ve always done a bit of research.”
Colorado Springs, CO | “Vinyl is cool again” Colorado Springs record stores are thriving after the resurgence of an old classic: Vinyl album sales have been steadily increasing across the country over the last several years, and a huge boom during the pandemic has allowed more record stores to open up in Colorado Springs. This week, Sixty35 Media reporter Jeanne Davant joined Digital Anchor Carel Lajara in the 11 Breaking News Center to discuss her latest report on the city’s thriving record shops, as well as what is fueling this trend, and why younger people are showing interest in the old classic. To read Jeanne’s article ‘Back in the Groove: New and vintage vinyl albums lift sales at local record shops,’ click HERE.
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 in their 20s and 30s, the Insa-dong store’s staff said.
Vinyl Record-Inspired Snowboards: Burton Collaborates with Run DMC on Musically-Inspired Collection. Snowboarding retail brand Burton is collaborating with Run DMC to launch a collection of items that comprise snowboards, boots, bindings, apparel, outerwear, and accessories. The inspiration of the collection came from Jam Master Jay of Run DMC and Burton owner Jake Burton passion for snowboarding which was one of the foundations of their friendship. The collaboration is described by them as “their legacy and amplify the connection between hip-hop and snowboarding.” The starting items available in the collection will begin with Burton’s limited edition collection ‘Mine77.’ The Mine77 x Run DMC features the exclusive ‘DJ Board’ snowboards which are constructed by hand. The snowboard design comes from the use of vinyl records and the packaging follows the design of metal DJ transport cases. The digital auction to purchase these items will commence on February 7th to February 15th with all the proceeds going to the Chill Foundation and the Jam Master Jay Foundation.
Brighton, UK | Dream Wife announce new album and Brighton record store date: Former Brighton University students and now London-based trio Dream Wife – vocalist Rakel Mjöll (she/her), guitarist Alice Go (she/her), bassist Bella Podpadec (they/them) – today announce that their highly anticipated third album, entitled ‘Social Lubrication’, will be released on 9th June via Lucky Number and also share brand new single ‘Hot (Don’t Date A Musician).’ …‘Social Lubrication’, in the band’s words, is “Hyper lusty rock and roll with a political punch, exploring the alchemy of attraction, the lust for life, embracing community and calling out the patriarchy. With a healthy dose of playfulness and fun thrown in.” The playfulness of the album is to the fore on ‘Hot (Don’t Date A Musician)’, the silly, sexy second single shared from the album to-date. Inspired by Rakel’s grandmother’s sage advice – advice that she, herself, didn’t follow – the track wryly pokes fun at musicians, themselves included.
Plymouth, MI | Student Radio Station annual record sale this weekend: Thousands of vinyl records, CDs, import only releases, t-shirts, posters, and other collectibles will be on display with the return of the 14th annual 88.1 Record Show on Saturday, Feb. 11. The show will continue from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Salem High School Cafeteria, and proceeds will benefit the nationally recognized student radio station operated by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. The show will feature special giveaways and door prizes in addition to a wide variety of vendors. 88.1 The Park expects to build on the success of the show last year which had a record attendance of more than 450 people. Much of the success of the show can be tied to the resurgence of interest in vinyl records, organizers said. “We strive to make the record show an experience for music fans of all ages to enjoy. No matter how long you’ve been collecting vinyl, you can support your local radio station while finding the perfect item to add to your collection.” said Mady Bajorek, program director for 88.1 The Park.
The Pretty Things announce career-spanning 13 album vinyl box set: The Pretty Things – The Complete Studio Albums: 1965 – 2020 will be released in March. UK psych rockers The Pretty Things will celebrate their career by releasing a thirteen-disc vinyl box set featuring every studio album the iconic band released over five decades. The Pretty Things – The Complete Studio Albums: 1965 – 2020 will be released through Madfish Records, who have also released recent expansive box sets by Horslips, Al Stewart, Gentle Giant and more, on March 31. You can watch a video trailer for the new set below. Limited to 1000 copies, the new set comes housed inside a deluxe, slipcase style box. All 13 albums have been remastered for vinyl release, with the original artwork faithfully recreated throughout. Each album comes with an individual, record specific four-page insert with rare photographs, original single sleeves, and words from band members Dick Taylor, Mike Stax and manager Mark St. John, as well as an exclusive, high quality pull-out print of the band in their prime.
