Helston, UK | ‘Literally a dream come true’: Couple brings new record shop to Helston. A new shop is coming to Helston this November, and the town is about to get a whole lot louder. Rotten Records, is set to open its doors on Sunday, November 30, at 12pm, just in time for the Christmas shopping rush. Tucked away in a little alleyway on Wendron Street, the shop is steeped in history. “It was previously a luggage shop,” explained Ana, who owns the store with her husband Nick. “Before that, it was an old furniture shop, and before that an old stable for the horses that would bring in the meat.” The couple are also delighted with their choice of location, being opposite a certain steak and fish restaurant. “We’re opposite Ka Boom, you couldn’t ask for a better spot. Jace is smashing it.” For Nick, who has been married to Ana for 12 years and lived in Cornwall since 2023, opening Rotten Records is the culmination of a lifelong ambition.
Peterborough, UK | Vinyl record retailer HMV to return by popular demand to Peterborough’s Queensgate Shopping Centre: The hit vinyl record store HMV is returning by popular demand to Peterborough’s Queensgate Shopping Centre. The entertainment music chain is expected to open a new store in the Queensgate later this year. The arrival of HMV is expected to be a huge hit with shoppers who have put it at number one if their list of favourite retailers to feature in the Queensgate. And bosses of the shopping mall say the move is a direct response to the demands of shoppers. In a post on its Facebook site, the centre’s managers state: “You asked… and it’s finally happening! “HMV is coming to Queensgate THIS YEAR! “From vinyl and merch to movies, tech & more—get ready to lose yourself in music and entertainment heaven!”
Liverpool, UK | City’s oldest record shop to get blue plaque: One of the UK’s oldest record shops that counted Beatles legend John Lennon and celebrated football manager Bill Shankly among its customers has been honoured with a blue plaque. The Musical Box in Liverpool is owned by Tony and Paula Quinn, who said the family were “deeply honoured” with the permanent tribute. Mrs Quinn said the shop had been in the family for four generations and was recently given a facelift led by her son Craig. The idea for the plaque was developed in a collaboration between Liverpool City Council’s heritage team and the UNESCO City of Music team. …Ms Quinn added the unveiling will be a special moment for her, Tony, Craig and for Tony’s mother Diane, now in her 80s, who took over the family business from her mother Dorothy. Former Beatles drummer Pete Best has said he and Lennon were frequent visitors before The Beatles were famous.
Vancouver, CA | Vancouver music collector lunches with Paul McCartney after giving him unreleased 1962 Beatles demo tape: Beatles demo recording tape had been owned by Rob Frith of Neptoon records, who few to Los Angeles to meet Paul McCartney. In March, Rob Frith discovered that a reel-to-reel tape he owned that was labelled ‘Beatles demo’ was just that: a high-quality copy of the Beatles’ legendary unreleased demonstration recording for Decca records in 1962. News of his discovery went viral, eventually garnering a story in The New York Times. A lawyer for Paul McCartney took note and phoned Frith. On Sept. 18, Frith met with McCartney in Los Angeles and handed the tape over, free of charge. “We hung out with him for like, 40 minutes,” said Frith, who owns the collectors store Neptoon Records in Vancouver. “He’s an absolute sweetheart of a guy. If you’re a Beatles fan and you thought he was a really cool person, he was even nicer than you could imagine, just such a down-to-earth, nice, sweet guy.”
Lexington, KY | Cut Corner Records reopens beloved Lexington music store space after CD Central closes: A beloved Lexington music destination has found new life under familiar ownership after more than three decades of serving local music lovers. CD Central, which operated for over 30 years under longtime owner Steve Baron, closed earlier this month when Baron retired. But the space quickly reopened under new management as Cut Corner Records, a name that will resonate with longtime Lexington music fans. Bob Lewis, one of three co-owners of the newly reopened store, has personal ties to the location that stretch back decades. “I used to drive up when I was in high school, used to drive up from Frankfort, on Sundays and go to South Hill station, which is where CD Central was and get red beans and rice from Yatz and then buy a used CD, which is about all I could afford,” Lewis said. The transition happened remarkably quickly.
Fayetteville, AR | Fayetteville music collectors on streaming culture, the benefits of physical media: Rowan Swendner riffled through his extensive vinyl collection in his poster-covered room and showed off his prized possessions. The senior mechanical engineering major owns over eighty records, all of which are kept near the record player by the foot of his bed. His favorites, such as “Mint Jams” by Casiopea, are displayed on his ever-growing record wall. “The reason I collect vinyl is because, first of all, you actually own it,” Swendner said, his passion shining through his words. While he inherited most of his collection, he said he purchases newer releases at Fayetteville indie record store, Block Street Records. He also frequents local thrift stores and has even gone as far as to ship hard-to-come-by items from overseas. Swendner also has a Spotify Premium account, but collects physical media because of the sense of ownership it creates.
Fort Erie, ON | Sessions record show spins more than $400 for COPE: The latest record show at Sessions on the River raised more than $400 for Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE), the local food bank. The Sunday event drew steady crowds of collectors and casual browsers, with live sets from the Stardust Duo and vendors offering everything from rare pressings to restored album covers. Francesca Baldassare, who helped at the door collecting the $3 entry fee, said the donations to COPE exceeded expectations. “People are so appreciative of everything we do, and they may have used those services themselves, so they’re really eager to donate,” she told Fort Erie Radio at the event. Craig Waters, who organizes the shows and sold records from his own table, said the sale helps keep music culture alive locally while supporting a cause many residents have relied on.
Manila, PH | Vinyl finds and festive vibes at ‘One Stop Record Fair: Vinyl in Motion.’ Christmas spirit filled the Ayala Malls TriNoma a little early this September, not with carols but with the analog sound that came from vinyl records. The One Stop Record Fair: Vinyl in Motion, the biggest record fair in the metro, occupied the entire TriNoma Activity Center, the official venue partner, from September 12 to 16. The quarterly music event gathered 40 sellers under one roof, trading vinyl records, audio gear, art merch and collectibles, drawing in hundreds of music lovers looking for something to tick off from their holiday wish list. “We are kicking off the start of the 100-day countdown to Christmas with this edition of the One Stop Record Fair: Vinyl in Motion to bring the holiday cheer early,” event organizer Sari Osorio said.
New York, NY | Tokyo Record Bar x Thelonious Monk Estate Present: Celebrating Thelonious Monk’s 108th Birthday. Tokyo Record Bar x Thelonious Monk Estate Present: Celebrating Thelonious Monk’s 108th Birthday Tokyo Record Bar partners with the Thelonious Monk Estate to celebrate the jazz icon’s heavenly 108th birthday with a three-night immersive experience, October 8–10. Guests will enjoy music, art, and cuisine inspired by Monk’s enduring legacy. Two distinct dining experiences will be featured: Vinyl Jukebox Omakase: The Immersive Monk Listening Experience ($140 per person), 7-course tasting menu with curated vinyl listening sessions, hosted by a Monk family member. Rare and unreleased recordings, paired with a “Monk Jukebox” menu, guide the evening. Cocktail Bar: The Monk Birthday Experience ($75 per person) 3-course menu enhanced with Monk’s music and artwork.
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