Dallas, TX | Same date, but new venue for Good Records co-founder Chris Penn memorial: Good Records co-founder Chris Penn, who died in April weeks after a life-altering injury, will be memorialized Thursday at Old City Park in Dallas, his wife, Jenn, announced. The public event, running from 5 p.m. through sunset, will feature food, surprise acoustic performances and “nuggets of nostalgia” drawing from Penn’s past. Dickies coveralls, a go-to outfit choice for Penn, according to Jenn, are suggested for the dress code. Penn opened Dallas’ Good Records with The Polyphonic Spree frontman Tim DeLaughter in 2000. The record store, now located on Garland Road, has grown into a beloved haunt for vinyl-seeking music lovers and a cozy pseudo-concert venue for countless native-grown talents such as St. Vincent and Erykah Badu.
Syracuse, NY | The Sound Garden marks 30 years in Syracuse with new storefront mural in Armory Square: Bryan Burkert, owner of The Sound Garden in Armory Square, isn’t precious about how hard it is to run a 30-year-old business. Since its 1995 opening, the Syracuse record store has weathered finicky customers wanting their music on cassettes, then CDs and LPs, then digital downloads and streaming, and back to physical media. We’re still living through the vinyl revival. “We’ve been in crisis mode for 30 years,” said Burkert, in a call with syracuse.com. “We’re constantly evolving.” But 30 years of business is worth celebrating too. To commemorate its anniversary, The Sound Garden will team up with Syracuse artist Tommy Lincoln to paint a new mural on its front wall this summer, facing the MOST in Armory Square.
East Midlands, UK | 16 record fairs coming to East Midlands in 2025 for vinyl and CD collectors to visit—and find hidden gold? The enduring allure of vinyl continues to captivate physical music collectors, fuelling a huge 21st-century revival for the once-dismissed format. While some might satisfy their craving with a visit to a nearby record shop or a major music retailer in the region, the truly dedicated often dedicate their weekends to the immersive experience of digging through crates at community halls and market events. Driven by the thrill of discovering a sought-after 7-inch rarity or an elusive live bootleg, record fairs have transformed into more than just marketplaces. They’ve become vibrant hubs for enthusiasts to connect, share their expertise, and offer guidance within the collecting community. So, for those in the East Midlands eager to explore a curated selection of pre-loved and rare vinyl, where should their search begin?
You’ll go nuts for this Peanuts-themed record player: Based on the Pro-Ject T1 BT. Pro-Ject is known for its special edition turntables, but its latest is possibly its most adorable yet. The Pro-Ject Peanuts Turntable celebrates the 75th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz’s iconic comic strip, featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Technically, it’s a rebadged T1 BT—a Bluetooth model that we haven’t reviewed, but that is closely related to the five-star Evo model (which made our list of best Bluetooth turntables). Which bodes well. Of course, most people won’t be buying this limited edition model for its audio chops alone, but for the charming artwork, which is something it has plenty of. It’s all Peanuts-themed, featuring music-inspired moments from the comic strip, and even comes with an acrylic record plate in the form of Charlie Brown’s head. (No wonder Snoopy refers to him as “the round-headed kid.”)
London, UK | London listening bar Space Talk launches record label: Space Talk has started a record label, ST Records. The team broke the news on Instagram last Saturday, May 10th, on what was the London listening bar’s one-year anniversary. “This label will be home for exclusive projects from artists who’ve played at Space Talk,” the post read. “A way to support, collaborate and keep creating with the people who help shape our sound.” Out now, ST01 is a VA compilation featuring tracks from the likes of Kristina May, Cõvco, Hector Plimmer, Guy Metter and e/tape. It’s a vinyl-only release that’s available exclusively from the Farringdon space. “The goal was to create the perfect sonic compilation to be experienced in the space,” founder Ramzi Abou Chalach told Resident Advisor. “Some pieces were even recorded within its walls, either live or during special Sunday studio sessions that turned the space into a recording sanctuary. The result is a deeply intimate/ethereal record, shaped by artists who understand the room.”
Camden, UK | Historic UK Label Ace Records Announces 50th Birthday Celebrations: Renowned UK label Ace Records will toast its 50th birthday with some special celebrations later this year. The record grew out of the fabled Rock On shop in Camden, a hub for greasy rockabilly, scorching soul, raucous R&B, and a whole lot more besides. A hangout during the punk era, the shop’s first in-house label was Chiswick Records, before Ace was born. A banner for crate-diggers the globe over, Ace Records has grown to become a family, encompassing Kent Records, Big Beat, BGP, Globestyle and Boplicity. The full master catalogue boasts 10,000 titles, with all manner of eclectic sounds being represented: low rider soul, surf, punk, doo-wop, funk, northern soul, rock’n’roll, jazz, blues, R&B, psychedelia, folk and rockabilly. Ace Records turns 50 this year, with the label set to host a pop-up shop this August in its historic Camden stomping ground—1 Adelaide Road, NW3 3QE.
Chicago, IL | Trax Records Drops Its First Vinyl Release In a Decade: The limited edition compilation, Rising Again, is out now via the legendary Chicago house label. Legendary house label Trax Records has dropped its first vinyl release in a decade. The project is a six-track compilation called Rising Again and features the work French duo Jacques x Gregory, American house producer Joe Smooth, KushGad, Spada, ThadX and veteran house producer and Trax affiliate Screamin’ Rachael. Five hundred copies of Rising Again have been made, and they’re now available via the Trax website. Rising Again was executive produced by longtime producer Pi Rho, who tells Billboard, “I’m proud to be from Chicago, and I’m honored to be working with local artists like Joe and Rachael.
Cleveland, OH | The Cleveland Record Riot! Vinyl Record Sale! Sun July 20th at Woodside Event Center, Broadview Hgts: The Cleveland Record Riot! It’s a BIG VINYL RECORD POP-UP sale at Woodside Event Center, 5025 Mill Road, Broadview Heights! Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music & family fun. LPs/CDs/45s. The Cleveland Record Riot RETURNS! It’s a MAD VINYL DIGGING PARTY! Sun July 20th at the Woodside Event Center, 5025 Mill Road. Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! 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. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
Scissor Sisters’ 20th anniversary reissue: 3CD box set and 2LP vinyl. Scissor Sisters’ debut album will be reissued in July. The album boasts five top 20 UK singles—‘Laura’, ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Take Your Mama’, ‘Mary’ and ‘Filthy/Gorgeous’ and became the biggest selling album in Britain, in 2004. For what is a belated 20th anniversary reissue, a 3CD deluxe edition offers B-sides & rarities (including seven previously unreleased tracks) on the second disc and remixes on the third. A 2LP gatefold vinyl version offers the same B-sides and rarities on the second LP (two tracks fewer than on CD 2 of the deluxe). Scissor Sisters will be reissued on 18 July 2025 via UMR.
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