CA | The Tragically Hip announced as Record Store Day Canada 2024 ambassadors: The Tragically Hip are proud to be announced as the Record Store Day Canada 2024 Canadian Ambassadors, releasing an exclusive standalone live album, Live at CBGB’s, on Record Store Day. The Tragically Hip have been chosen as the Record Store Day Canada 2024 Canadian Ambassadors, releasing an exclusive standalone live album, Live at CBGB’s, on Record Store Day. The global celebration of the culture of independent record stores takes place this year on April 20, 2024, as it has annually for the last 17 years. …Live At CBGB’s features nine live songs that were originally recorded on January 14, 1993, from the legendary New York venue CBGB’s as The Tragically Hip launched their third studio album, Fully Completely, in America with a private event from the intimate space. The band performed the record in full, omitting a few tracks that didn’t fit the bill. This concert recording will be available on April 20th for the first time as a 12” pink vinyl at participating record stores in Canada and the U.S.
Corpus Christi, TX | Why are vinyl records still so popular? According to this report,vinyl sales grew for the 17th consecutive year in 2023. KRIS 6 spoke to the store manager of Disc Go Round, Jason Dubose, to hear why he thinks records are making a comeback. “I’ve almost looked at as there’s a ceremonial aspect to it. You have to pick the record out from your collection. You have to take it out very carefully and gently and touch it a certain way. And you have to put it down just right. Not only do you have to pick a song you want, you’re going to put it down on that first track and it just spins for the next 30 or so minutes,” said Dubose. He also adds the aspect of being able to hold the media physically. Jason Dubs Store Manager Disc Go Round with streaming music, you can’t touch something, you can’t feel it. With records, there’s definitely that sense of I can commune, l can touch with this record. I feel part of the artist. They have a story on the back. They put liner notes where they talk about who wrote the song or what they put into it,” said Dubose.
London, ON | Grooves Records taking over Village Idiot space to open new location in Wortley Village: ‘We came to what I think is a mutually beneficial arrangement,’ Village Idiot’s owner says. One beloved London, Ont., record store is passing the torch to another beloved record store. After announcing his plans to retire last year, the owner of the Village Idiot in Wortley Village has confirmed that Grooves Records will be taking over the space this spring to open a second location. It’s a win-win proposition, says Robert Charles-Dunne, who has operated the store at the corner of Wortley Road and Askin Street for more than 23 years. “We came to what I think is a mutually beneficial arrangement,” he told CBC News on Monday. “Three of the boxes I wanted to tick have been ticked,” he said. “First, was that I wanted to retire — and I’m doing that. The second thing is I wanted it to remain a record store, and it is. And the third thing was that I wanted the staff to have the opportunity to work in the new location, and that’s being extended to them.”
Scotland, UK | Vinyl: Why Scotland’s retro revolution isn’t simply music industry spin: Dave Harvey has a recurring nightmare. In it, a 14 year old is given a gift by an older relative, a round piece of plastic, pressed onto which are formative recordings that could go on to shape the teenager’s musical taste for the rest of their life. Or not, in Dave’s nightmare. “It’s a wonderful present to give your nieces or nephews or sons or daughters: a record that they’ll take enjoyment from for a long long time,” said Harvey, owner of Scotland’s first vinyl pressing plant, Sea Bass. “But my worst nightmare is giving a 14 year old a birthday present of a piece of vinyl that has an issue. We are absolutely determined to make a product that we are proud of, that people take pleasure from, and will listen to over and over again.” Harvey has put his money where his mouth is. The 52-year-old Dubliner, and his French wife Dominique, have self-financed Sea Bass Vinyl, the first factory in Scotland to make vinyl records.
Gainesville, FL | Turning the turntables: Gainesville’s vinyl culture continues to grow in popularity: Stepping into a record store for the first time can be overwhelming. The numerous rows of vinyl, the strange smell of aged record sleeves and customers quietly browsing between shelves stirs excitement and anxiety into the ambiance. For some, a personal hobby was thrust into the stratosphere of popularity. For others, a new pastime exploded into cultural relevance. Next to thrifting and the appeal of possessing things that have passed through the hands of others, record collecting represents the growing fascination with vintage novelties. Quinn Messner, 37, works at Sunshine Records and routinely restocks the hip-hop/R&B and modern pop displays due to their popularity. “Our modern pop section is picked clean right now,” Messner said, pointing to the lonely Adele and Beyoncé vinyl leaning on the back of the boxes. “People come and go right to that section.”
Cornwall, UK | Vinyl record label to launch in Cornwall: A music enthusiast from Lezant is preparing to take on a new challenge as he launches his own vinyl-only record label. After more than fifty years of attending gigs, collecting, promoting and writing about some of the world’s most obscure and innovative musicians, it was only a matter of time before retired Launceston accountant Colin Hill launched what is thought to be North Cornwall’s first vinyl-only record label, High On The Pyg Track. His most recent release, ‘Memory or Dream’, is by The Brainiac Five, a band formed in the late 1970s in Penzance and who played many times in the Launceston area. Colin said: “The Brainiacs were firm favourites at The White Horse Stable Bar with their unique blend of punk and sixties-influenced psychedelia and they privately-pressed two 7” records before re-basing to London in 1980 where unfortunately they struggled to get established in a very competitive musical environment and after about a year they split up.”
House Of Marley Stir It Up again with limited edition Bluetooth turntable to celebrate Bob Marley biopic: House Of Marley’s new wireless record player is being released to celebrate the release of the the Bob Marley biopic One Love – out in cinemas on February 14. House Of Marley have put a fresh spin on their Stir It Up turntable with a new limited edition version – released to celebrate the release of Bob Marley biopic One Love. The film has been produced in collaboration with the Marley family and is the first-ever portrayal of Marley’s life and music on the silver screen. It hits movie theatres from February 14 and stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita. The familiar bamboo-finished design is intact on the Stir It Up: One Love, but each of the 250 Bluetooth record players comes with a certificate of authenticity, with the film title and product number laser etched into the the top left-hand corner of the wooden plinth.
Brian Eno Launches Neon Vinyl Record Player Turntable II: British musician and visual artist Brian Eno has recently announced the launch of a new neon vinyl record player, the “Turntable II.” This new record player is the second version of his original design, which was released in 2022. Eno, known for his experiments with light as a medium, has integrated his fascination with light sources into the Turntable II. Speaking about his interest in light in 2018, Eno explained that the Turntable II is not just a functional music device, but also a piece of art. “When it doesn’t have to do anything special, like play a record, it’s just a sculpture. I like that idea of continuity,” he said. The Turntable II is made of acrylic LED lights that change color slowly and randomly, creating what Eno calls “Colorscapes.” The colors range from orange-red, reminiscent of a sunset, to neon pink and green, creating an atmosphere similar to a nightclub.
Saratoga Springs, NY | The Saratoga Springs Record Riot! Over 15,000 vinyl records for sale in ONE ROOM! Sunday Feb 25th. The Saratoga Springs Record RIot RETURNS! It’s a WONDERFUL winter vinyl record POP-UP sale! Over 40 dealer tables in one room! Great music & family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s too. Door prizes too! The Saratoga Springs Record Riot! It’s a giant vinyl record sale in downtown Saratoga Springs! Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
