Luray, VA | Switz Mix Records encourages music and art: Music and art bring people together, and Switz Mix Records has found a way of combining the two with a music-themed mural. Switz Mix is a music store that sells records, CDs and cassettes. It has been open for 10 years, beginning in early fall 2015. Tina Switzer is the owner, but she is also an assistant professor of nursing at James Madison University. “I’ve been a nurse for a very long time, but I had taken time off from nursing to raise my children, and then I was trying to figure out my next steps,” Switzer said. She decided to return to graduate school but wanted something else to keep her occupied. “So I chatted with my husband, and we had always fantasized and joked together as vinyl enthusiasts about one day when we open our record store, we’re going to do this when our record store becomes a reality,” Switzer said. “It was always a running joke…”
Canberra, AU | Where have all the records gone? Canberra’s secondhand vinyl market in freefall. The secondhand vinyl record market in Canberra has taken a bizarre twist, with almost all of the main stores closing down at the same time. While cost-of-living is an overarching issue, storeowners gave various reasons for shutting shop, some completely while others seek to embrace different business models. Interestingly, the new vinyl market remains relatively strong, as the long queues outside Landspeed on the recent Record Store Day can attest. Landspeed in Garema Place, Civic, continues as Canberra’s premier record shop, with Songland on the southside in Cooleman Court, Weston, also popular with record-buyers. Both stores dabble in secondhand records, but it’s the new release and reissues on vinyl that are attracting most buyers. So what’s going on with the secondhand market?
Atlanta, GA | Co-founder of Wax ‘N’ Facts record store in Little 5 Points dies: One of the co-founders of Wax ‘N’ Facts record store in Atlanta’s Little 5 Points neighborhood has died. The store announced the passing of Harry DeMille on Sunday through a post on its Instagram page. Wax ‘N’ Facts was established in 1976 by DeMille and his business partner, Danny Beard. “Harry DeMille died peacefully this morning at Piedmont Hospital in the company of his wife of 45 years, Alice Kelly DeMille,” the Instagram post said. “Harry loved the record store and talking to customers and friends. It is not overstating things to say he was a good dude and beloved by his many friends.” The store sells new and used vinyl records, compact discs, cassettes, posters, stickers, DVDs and VHS tapes, and more.
Stansbury, AU | Yorke Peninsula’s new hidden gem sells vinyl records and books: Tucked away in Stansbury on the Yorke Peninsula and only open on select days, Peninsula Records and Books offers an eclectic mix of Australian authors and global vinyl. “We just wanted to provide a place where people could come and buy a brand-new or second-hand book or a record, because there wasn’t really anything like that in the area,” owner Kate explains. The idea grew from the online store, which was already gaining traction for Aussie authors before the couple decided to open a physical location. “We had it online for a while, and it was doing quite well. Then we thought, why don’t we open it up down in Stansbury since we had the space?” says Kate. Less a shop and more a passion project where visitors can come in and rummage through the collection that runs from a small garage space—like a friend’s collection, but one that focuses exclusively on Australian authors.
Halifax, CA | ‘People love collecting’: Hundreds show up to Halifax Record Fair. Record collectors were out in full force this weekend looking for their favourite turntable tunes. The Halifax Record Fair took place at the Halifax Forum on Saturday. Hundreds of people waited in line for a chance to add to their vinyl catalogue. “We’ve got over 40 tables of new and used vinyl, and it’s kind of all genres. A little bit for everyone,” said Phil Macdonald with Rockwell Records. The Halifax Record Fair is put on by Rockwell Records and Black Buffalo Records. It’s been taking place since 2011. “People say it’s made a resurgence, but for a lot of us, it never went anywhere. A lot of us have been collecting since the ’90s or earlier,” said Macdonald. “A lot of the newcomers to it, you see the faces getting younger and younger every year, so we like that for sure…”
Surrey, UK | Collector’s 30,000 vinyl records up for auction: A collector’s 30,000-record vinyl collection is set to go up for auction in Surrey with an expected combined price of more than £80,000. The sale, run by auctioneers Ewbank’s in Woking, will be held on Wednesday and Thursday. The unnamed deceased collector had been buying records for more than 60 years and vinyl specialist John Silke said the collection was “jaw-dropping.” “This has been the biggest single cataloguing job of my career—an extraordinary experience,” he added. A Peel Sessions collection, featuring artists including Jimi Hendrix, Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, Nico and Stiff Little Fingers, is expected to fetch between £800-£1,200, while a collection of Pink Floyd albums is expected to sell for up to £800.
Antiques Roadshow guest devastated over real value of ‘£3,700 Beatles vinyl record.’ An Antiques Roadshow guest was crushed to learn his treasured Beatles item, once thought to be worth thousands, was not at all what it seemed. An Antiques Roadshow guest was left devastated after discovering that his prized Beatles collectible—which he believed was worth thousands—was actually worth just a few dollars. Show appraiser Gary Sohmers, best known for his 13 seasons on the US show, recently opened up to fans during a Reddit Q&A, offering brutally honest insights into the world of collectible valuations. Introducing himself to fans, Sohmers wrote: “IAmA appraiser and expert of Pop Culture collectibles, 13 seasons on ‘Antiques Roadshow,’ starting a new tech biz revolutionizing the autograph industry… AMA [ask me anything] about autographs, collectibles, and their values.
UK | The Resurgence of Home Jukeboxes in the UK: In recent years, there’s been a notable resurgence in the popularity of home jukeboxes across the UK. Once a staple of 1950s diners and arcades, these iconic machines are now making a comeback in living rooms, home bars, and entertainment spaces. This revival is driven by a blend of nostalgia, the tactile appeal of vinyl, and a desire for unique home entertainment experiences. Modern jukeboxes, such as those crafted by British manufacturer Sound Leisure, offer a fusion of retro aesthetics and contemporary technology. These machines can play various formats, including vinyl, CDs, and digital files, and often come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. This versatility allows enthusiasts to enjoy their cherished vinyl records alongside modern digital playlists. Moreover, the environmental appeal of jukeboxes, which are durable and long-lasting, aligns with the growing trend of sustainable living.
Clark, NJ | It’s a Vinyl Revival at Clark Public Library on April 28! On Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m., the Clark Public Library is holding a Vinyl Revival, a discussion about the resurgence of interest in vinyl records with record collector Lance Jacobs. “Did you know that we are in the midst of a resurgence of vinyl records?” the Clark Public Library asks. “In 2022, vinyl record sales in the US outperformed CDs for the first time since 1987. Are there hidden gems packed away in that cardboard box that could be worth hundreds or even thousands? Are you interested in knowing how to determine if a record you own is valuable? Join Lance Jacobs, record collector, as we explore how to ‘read’ a record.” Attendees are encouraged to bring a record of their own that they think may be of some value for evaluation.
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