Grand Rapids, MI | Record store prepares for Halloween opening in Grand Rapids: A brand-new vintage media and record store called Backwards Compatible will open in Grand Rapids on Oct. 31. “It’s an underground media culture store,” Brandon Hill, owner and founder of Backwards Compatible, said. “All forms of physical media.” Specializing in curated items across all genres and mediums of collectible media—including DVDs, vinyl, video games and more—Hill hopes that Backwards Compatible will serve not only as a home for popular fandoms but also a community space of learning and connection. “That’s how I learned things, too,” Hill said. “Asking people and connecting with people in the community.” Hill has deep roots in the West Michigan music and media collector community, having played with bands like Cloud Rat and worked at other popular vinyl shops, like Vertigo Music. “I’ve been a DJ and collector for well over 20 years…”
Buffalo, NY | KISS fans flocking to local stores looking for Ace Frehley releases: Local record store sees spike in sales after Frehley’s death. Rock music history is repeating itself. The unexpected death of former KISS guitar player Ace Frehley back on Oct. 16 is driving music fans into local stores to snap up anything related to either KISS or Frehley’s solo career. It is the same retailing pattern seen before, says Joe Iglienski, owner of Hi-Fi Hits in Williamsville and a former Record Theater manager. “People are coming in,” Iglienski said. The death-driven record buying pattern first came to the forefront after Elvis Presley died in 1977 and then, after John Lennon was murdered in 1980. Death, one critic wrote after Presley died, is a “good career move.” The Los Angeles Times reported after Prince died in 2016, his record sales increased by 40,000 percent.
Vancouver, CA | Landlord issues force closure of Metro Vancouver record store after 40 years: One of Metro Vancouver’s oldest record stores will be closing its doors forever at the end of this weekend, but its not by choice. Krazy Bob’s Music Emporium shared the news on social media earlier this month, announcing that its location at 20484 Fraser Hwy. in Langley will close on Sunday, Oct. 26. According to owner Bob Foster in an emotional announcement video, he received notice from his landlord’s lawyer that he had to vacate as he owed $50,000 in rent. However, he states that he hasn’t paid partially due to several issues inside of Krazy Bob’s. “They don’t want to fix the running water. This has not run for a year,” Foster stated, pointing to a broken toilet and sink. “And our heating system doesn’t work and they don’t want to fix it. “And we haven’t paid rent because we could barely afford to pay my employees and myself.” Krazy Bob’s describes itself as an “emporium of recycled entertainment” that has served the community for almost 40 years.
AU/NZ | These Australia & New Zealand Record Stores Are Hosting Exclusive Hayley Williams Listening Parties: Hayley Williams is celebrating the physical release of her new solo album with listening parties around the world, including in Australia and New Zealand. Hayley Williams is celebrating the physical release of her new solo album with listening parties around the world, including in Australia and New Zealand. ANZ fans of the Paramore singer-songwriter can enjoy Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party on November 5th-6th at the following record stores: Melbourne’s Happy Valley, Sydney’s HUM Records, Auckland’s Southbound Records, Christchurch’s Penny Lane, Dunedin’s Relics, and Slowboat in Wellington. Fans will be able to access free exclusive album posters, tote bags, and wristbands. They’ll be given the chance to enter a competition to win an exclusive mixtape CD signed by Williams herself.
Pittsfield, MA | A new brick and mortar book, record, and gift store to open in Pittsfield: Indie Readery & Records, located at 314 North Street, announced its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. “With a strong focus on community engagement, intellectual freedom, and social justice, our business is poised to serve as a hub for those who value inclusivity and individualism,” said Emma Lenski, o of the store. Indie Readery & Records is an independent bookstore that combines a curated selection of books, vinyl records, and a variety of humorous and progressive gifts. The store’s focus on offering literature that promotes social justice, equity, and freedom places a strong emphasis on liberal and progressive viewpoints. Their store will serve as a community space for like-minded individuals to engage with new ideas, music, and humor, while providing a space for cultural and community events.
SG | Soak up Singapore’s culture: A peek into the best hidden gems in the city. Join Andi and Miquita Oliver as they draw on their own passions whilst discovering the rich heritage and local traditions that have shaped Singapore’s culture. From iconic record stores to traditional shophouses, Singapore has hidden gems tucked around every corner. …No visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to Swee Lee, a Singaporean institution in the music scene. It started life selling musical instruments back in 1946, and has evolved into a vibrant hub for the local music community. The flagship store in Clarke Quay is designed to host live events and encourage visitors to slow down and enjoy the music. You’ll find vinyl listening stations, masterclasses, workshops, and a café bar. Plus, the music store provides personalised services, and a huge selection of guitars, audio equipment, and vinyl records.
Sydney, AU | Gilles Peterson To Curate Exclusive Kirin Ichiban Listening Room Experience In Sydney: Kirin Ichiban will fuse music, craftsmanship and culture in a rare sensory event this November, with the announcement of the Kirin Ichiban Listening Room curated by the legendary DJ, broadcaster and tastemaker Gilles Peterson. The event will take place on Sunday 16 November at Sydney’s Ivy Penthouse, offering a high-fidelity experience that celebrates the purity of both sound and taste. Guests will be invited into a bespoke chill-out lounge before descending into a dedicated listening room, where Gilles Peterson will deliver a 30-minute vinyl session from his personal collection. The set promises to take listeners on an immersive journey through Peterson’s rich tapestry of sound—from soulful jazz and deep funk to rare grooves and global rhythms.
Norwich, UK | VIP Record Fair coming to the Forum in Norwich in November: One of the UK’s biggest record fairs will be heading to Norwich for the final time in 2025 this November. VIP Record Fairs runs some of the biggest events for vinyl lovers across the UK, including in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester. While the events were previously held at the Halls in Norwich, due to the ongoing renovation work, the fairs now take place at the Forum. The last event of 2025 will take place at the city centre venue on November 2. …VIP Record Fairs always promise to sell a top selection of records with prog rock, punk and hip-hop to soul, reggae and doo wop all on sale. Sellers from all over the UK exhibit their collections for the day, with many selling out of stock when they visit Norwich. This is one of the city’s most popular record events and people are encouraged to book tickets for earlier in the day to avoid missing out.
How the album outplayed the algorithm and survived playlist culture (book extract): …There have been relatively few books written about the album as an art form. Mostly, they relate to the resurgence of vinyl records—the perfect vessel for the album and true incarnation of the format. David Hepworth’s A Fabulous Creation is 321 pages of brilliant homage to the vinyl L.P. and its glory years, 1967 through to 1982. I’ve read the book twice from cover to cover. The second time around, one brief statement made me stop and think. In fact, I took issue with it. On page 264, Hepworth states, with his usual level of confident, scholarly authority, that “art can’t buck the market.” By way of example, Hepworth explains how Charles Dickens originally released his famously epic novels in monthly instalments, since they were published as serialisations in The Monthly Magazine. In order to get his work published, the greatest storyteller of his time had to work within the limits of the popular format of the time.
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