Berlin, MD | Berlin Record Store Day set April 20: Town council votes 3-1 to approve new event. Berlin town officials have added Record Store Day to the 2024 events calendar. On Monday, town councilmembers voted 3-1 to approve the event, a collaborative effort between the town and several downtown businesses, for April 20. “Sound Storm Records celebrates this every year, they just wanted to do something a little more this year,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. Wells told the council that during the last merchant meeting, the connections of Sound Storm Records suggested the idea of celebrating Record Store Day in Berlin. Wells said the concept has grown in recent years and the day is marked by record stores around the country. “We really liked the idea,” she said. Wells said the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and would include closures on Pitts and Gay streets.
Vancouver, CA | Record Store Day Canada 2024 unveils its picks and participating stores: Music buffs and record bin hunters—it’s the day you’ve been waiting for. Record Store Day Canada has unveiled its list for 2024, promising limited-edition releases, B-sides, and special albums that you can’t get anywhere else. Take that, Amazon. The annual celebration is marking its 17th year, bringing attention to independent record stores globally by stocking the limited-release vinyls and other goodies. In Canada this year, Record Store Day takes place on April 20 with a bevy of releases from homegrown and international musical outfits. Arrive early, as there are usually lineups! Among this year’s releases is a live album from iconic Canadian alt-rockers The Tragically Hip (who are the Canadian ambassadors for this year’s event) from their 1993 performance at CBGB’s—the famed NYC venue and record shop that kickstarted the careers of bands like The Ramones and Blondie.
Dubai, UAE | Crate Digging in UAE: Dubai’s Best Vinyl Stores. With a universe of digital streaming platforms at our fingerprints, accessibility to music has never been easier. Despite this overwhelming supply of algorithmically-curated content however, our desire for analog hardware remains fixed in our DNA. The crate digging expeditions, the pop and crackle of the needle, and even the spine-curling sound of a scratched LP contribute to the overall tactility of the vinyl experience; the nostalgia emanating from a record is deeply ingrained in the interaction between the listener and equipment. With a growing demand for retro sound systems, the crisp and warm imperfections of spinning discs have become a physical manifestation of history in its sonic form. Hopping on this trend, vinyl advocates across Dubai strive to recreate this authentic experience with various spaces catering to this growing demand.
Stroud, UK | Stroud’s oldest record store to close: Popular record shop owner Simon Vincent has announced the closure of a record shop that has been part of the Stroud music scene for four decades. Trading Post on Kendrick Street is to close next month after 47 years of trading, but will operate online through its eBay Shop, Facebook page and www.tradingpostrecords.com. Simon also plans to have a presence at The Subscription Rooms. Popular record shop owner Simon Vincent has announced the closure of a record shop that has been part of the Stroud music scene for four decades. Trading Post on Kendrick Street is to close next month after 47 years of trading, but will operate online through its eBay Shop, Facebook page and www.tradingpostrecords.com. Simon also plans to have a presence at The Subscription Rooms. “The Trading Post has been part of Stroud for 47 years and I know that so many of us have grown up with it and, like me, have many fond memories of it.”
Pasadena, CA | Stumptown Coffee Roasters is spinning LPs in its new Pasadena cafe: After moving out of L.A.’s Arts District, Stumptown Coffee Roasters has a new coffee shop with a new spin. The café is at 1982 Lincoln Ave. in Pasadena, a block from John Muir High School and near Altadena. Although its soft opening was a few days ago, Jon Perry, vice president of retail, said it is starting to look like a neighborhood hangout. “We have over 400 customers from our website who live in a pretty small radius of our cafe. We knew that folks might be excited to have a space and experience the whole expression of Stumptown.” …He called its theme “vinyl forward”—a combination record store and living room. Stumptown removed the original front entrance and replaced it with a rollup door and and indoor/outdoor space that resembles a mid-century den with LPs stacked on bookshelves and posters for the Ramones and Talking Heads on the walls.
Round Rock, TX | Piranha Records has been spinning vinyl in Round Rock for over 20 years: At 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, Piranha Records has a line snaking halfway through the store. Despite being only 30 minutes from Austin’s record store dynasties, such as Breakaway and Waterloo, the Round Rock shop has been a popular spot among music listeners for over 20 years. Owner John Aleman spent most of his life playing and collecting music before he opened Piranha Records in 2003. All kinds of music genres can be found at the store, from jazz and classical to hip-hop, rock, metal and pop. …For his first 10 years in business, Aleman said his extensive selection of Texas rap CDs kept his business afloat. Now, the recent vinyl record craze has changed that. “Things have changed from CDs to vinyl, and that’s changed our genres a bit,” Aleman said. “I think vinyl has become really popular among young people because when you’re playing a record, you actually will have to get up and change it. So you’re paying attention to your music more than you would while streaming. It’s not just floating by in the background.”
Glasgow, UK | In the groove: Scotland goes big with vinyl revival amid plans for Glasgow pressing plant: Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr describes Rockvinyl as “the missing piece of the jigsaw.” Plans for a new record pressing plant in Scotland will take a step forward next week when its backers push the button on a £1.75 million crowdfunding campaign. The Rockvinyl start-up, which is said to have gathered industry support from the likes of Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr, has already secured premises in the east end of Glasgow, making the operation Glasgow’s first ever vinyl pressing plant, and only Scotland’s second. The move follows increased demand for what was once considered a moribund music format. However, sales of long-playing records have defied expectations in recent years amid a vinyl revival and the decades-old technology now sits alongside streaming as one of the most popular ways to consume music. Rockvinyl’s funding campaign is due to launch on February 20 with the aim of raising £1.75m from “vinyl record aficionados” and the investing public in a public share issue, with shares priced at £5 each.
Abba’s Waterloo album to be reissued for 50th anniversary special: The LP’s title track is the song that won the Swedish pop group the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. Abba’s hit album Waterloo will be reissued alongside a limited edition box set in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The LP’s title track is the song that won the Swedish pop group the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, held at The Dome in Brighton. A reissued version of the album will be released on April 5 and will comprise a half-speed mastered 45rpm 2LP vinyl along with a limited edition box set of the three vinyl singles originally released in 1974. …Waterloo, the band’s second album, was released in March 1974 and the track list includes songs like My Mama Said and Honey, Honey. This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Sweden on the 50th anniversary of the band’s 1974 win after singer Loreen won last year’s competition with her single Tattoo. The band, who have sold more than 400 million albums and singles, were the first competitors from the Nordic country.
Brooklyn, NY | Vinyl Record Fair: Join us for a groovy event filled with music, nostalgia, and vinyl treasures. The Vinyl Record Fair is the ultimate gathering for music enthusiasts, collectors, and vinyl aficionados. Immerse yourself in the world of vinyl records as you browse through a wide selection of albums from various genres, eras, and artists. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your vinyl journey, this event offers something for everyone. Discover rare finds, limited editions, and classics that will make your music collection shine. Engage in conversations with fellow vinyl enthusiasts, share stories, and exchange recommendations. Experience the thrill of flipping through stacks of records, feeling the texture of vintage album covers, and finding that one special record that speaks to your soul.
