Houston, TX | From a death sentence to a new groove: How music keeps this Houston man going: He was given six months to live eight years ago. Now, he doesn’t take a day for granted. For Bill Syrell, nothing brings joy quite like music—and now, it’s his life’s mission to help others reconnect with the albums that once meant the world to them. “He was the man,” he said. Bill was talking about Miles Davis with a grin while standing behind rows of vinyl records at Lonesome Frog Records, the small but soulful shop he runs with his wife, Susan, in Spring Branch. Owning a record store was always Bill’s dream. …But life—jobs, bills, responsibilities—kept that dream on the back burner. Then came a life-changing diagnosis. “They gave me six months to live,” Bill said. “We were trying to decide what to do with everything, and [Susan] said, ‘Well, when you’re gone, I’m throwing all the records out.’ And I said, ‘No, that’s not a good idea—I’ll sell them first.’”
Manchester, UK | Stunning Oasis mural unveiled at iconic location connected with band’s history: The mural was first created last summer. An Oasis mural on the side of a building which has become indelibly associated with the band’s legacy is being extended. The mural on the side of Sifters record shop in Burnage was first created last summer, to mark a weekend of shows which Liam Gallagher performed at Co-op Live to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Oasis’ debut album. A year on, after the Gallagher’s triumphantly reunited and performed to sell out crowds across the world, a further mural is being added. The artwork was created by Manchester-based street artist Pic.One.Art, who recently created another mural of a Mancunian icon. A mural of Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge, his famous comedy character, appeared on the side of a chip shop in Middleton. Now the artist has returned to the record shop on Fog Lane to extend his existing mural.
Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis like a local: The Electric Fetus. Minneapolis is always glittering. When it’s warm, it’s the sun’s sheen off one of the city’s many lakes; in the winter, it’s the luminous snow and ice. While its ultra-cold winters—and long-vowel accent—are storied, don’t mistake this Minnesota metropolis for being slow paced. Its restaurants regularly bag coveted James Beard Awards, its thriving music scene incubated the likes of Prince and Bob Dylan, and all of it sits amidst breathtaking natural beauty in America’s Upper Midwest. …What to buy: Stop by The Electric Fetus on the corner of 4th Avenue and Franklin to pick up a vinyl record. The store is staffed with music aficionados who can help you find the perfect album, and if you’re lucky, you can catch one of their free in-store performances or listening sessions. Vinyls cost as little as $5, but collectibles go for hundreds, such as a 1964 promo of John Coltrane’s “Crescent” on sale for $399.99.
Haverfordwest, UK | Terminal Records, Haverfordwest, to close after 45 years: This month marks the end of an era as a much-loved local shop closes its doors after more than 45 years. Haverfordwest’s popular Terminal Records will close at the end of this month, as owner Martin Thompson retires. Terminal Records began on September 6, 1980, when Martin hired a trestle table in the old Market Hall in Market Street, Haverfordwest. After graduating from Lampeter University in 1976 Martin returned to his home county of Pembrokeshire. He initially did shift work in Haverfordwest’s cheese factory before working at a museum assistant at Scolton Manor. However, music always had the number one spot in his heart and when university friend, Hag Harries, opened a record shop in Lampeter, Martin decided to follow suit. When the old market was demolished in 1982 Terminal Records moved to Haverfordwest’s new Riverside Market. Martin had an island shop there until the market was closed in 2016 to make way for the new library.
Pittsburgh, PA | Why cassettes are making comeback: Though Gabriel Dominic-Dunlap didn’t grow up with cassettes, he’s now a collector who can be seen sporting a personal tape player. The 20-year-old Duquesne University student only discovered an enthusiasm for the format, which hit peak popularity in the 1980s, within the past few months. He carries tapes from his small collection with him to listen on his way to class and while walking around town. “The retro aspect is kind of cool, but it’s definitely just the feeling of being able to take out a cassette album, flipping it around and the sound of it closing in,” Dominic-Dunlap said. “You hear the mechanisms turning when you first play it and fall in love with it.” Similar to the resurgence of vinyl records—though to a lesser degree, sales-wise—the two-spooled, magnetic cassette tape hasn’t quite stayed in the past. Though a more portable option than vinyl, tapes are imperfect—degrading with time and, even when new, blanketing music with a warm hiss.
Auburn, MA | VINYL! The Worcester Record Riot! 1000s of LPs & CDs for sale! At The Auburn Elks, Sun Oct 26th. The Worcester Record RIot RETURNS! It’s a MASSIVE vinyl record POP-UP sale! Over 40 dealer tables in one room! Great music and family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Door prizes too! Don’t miss it! A giant record store lands in Auburn, MA! Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! LPs and 45s and CDs too. 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. Regular admission starts at 9:30 AM ($5) with early admission at 8 AM ($10). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
Craft Recordings Unveils 9 Exclusive Titles For Record Store Day Black Friday: Craft Recordings has unveiled its lineup for Record Store Day Black Friday 2025. Available exclusively at participating independent music retailers on November 28, this year’s selection features first-ever vinyl editions, rare live recordings, vibrant color pressings, and imaginative new packages that span funk, rock, punk, psych, salsa, soundtracks, holiday jazz, and more. Among the highlights are Creed’s high-octane Live in San Antonio, captured during the band’s Human Clay zenith and making its vinyl debut; Vince Guaraldi Trio’s evergreen classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, reimagined as a special pop-up gatefold edition in celebration of the album’s 60th anniversary; and Jazz Dispensary’s latest cinematic caper, Green Bullets, a fuel-injected compilation that imagines a lost ’70s heist flick.
St.Petersburg, FL | 86 Wine Bar brings natural wines and vinyl vibes to St. Pete: Get ready to sip wine and spin records at 86 Wine Bar, a new intimate wine bar and lounge that has quietly opened at 2930 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North Unit #B. The cozy, dimly lit 35-seat space blends a passion for natural wines, Mediterranean-style small plates, and eclectic vinyl in a minimalist setting that feels equal parts warm and worldly. Located near newcomers The Violet Stone and Wildflower Ice Cream, and longtime MLK staples like Pineapple Espresso and Golden Isles Brewing Co., the bar takes over the former Doakes N Doodle Café, a cat-themed coffee shop that once occupied the spot. Behind the concept are husband-and-wife duo Kendra Hardesty and Shane Richard Schuch, who live nearby in the Allendale neighborhood. Hardesty, a seasoned chef most recently at Cafe Clementine, will lead the kitchen, while Schuch, whose career spans years in hospitality, handles the front of house.
Milo of Descendents explains his record store habits, feelings about being “the face” and more: The face of the Descendents, Milo Aukerman, talks about album art, record collecting, reissues and lots more! “…I had some older brothers and started listening to the records that my parents owned and my older brothers owned. That was all The Beatles, and I think they had a Santana record of two, that kind of stuff. At some point, I decided that I wanted my own music, and the first record that I ever bought was Frank Zappa’s Apostrophe. That was on the recommendation of my oldest brother. He told me I gotta get this, and I went and bought it. It’s a great record and I still have it. I think it’s still in pretty good condition. I did not become a Zappa fanatic. I just bought that record and like it, but I really did not think much about it after that, and I started buying prog kind of records. Then I started buying new wave records after that. So, I went through a prog phase and a new wave phase…”
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