Eau Claire, WI | Backstroke and punk bands play at Abraxas Wax: ‘Eau Claire’s Record Store’ hosts three hardcore bands from three different cities. A lot of punk noise could be heard coming out of a small business building on Graham Street, downtown Eau Claire on Friday night. Abraxas Wax, one of Eau Claire’s record stores, hosted a music show on April 25 featuring three bands: Smoke Free Home, Popstar and Backstroke. Even though the venue was small, the show had about 70 attendees. In between sets people could browse records or band merch, and Seth, the shop’s owner, handled the sound for the show. The show started at 7 p.m. with Smoke Free Home. Hailing from Oshkosh, Smoke Free Home delivered a set inspired by classic punk, complete with socially critical song lyrics and ear-splitting sound. The band includes lead singer Jesse Tubeszewski, bass player Kevin Sonnleitner and Alex Lautenschlager on drums.
Miami, FL | 8 Incredible Record Stores Every Music Lover In Miami Should Visit: Looking for new vinyl? Find your favorite album or discover one you’ve never listened to at these local record shops! Many would argue that there’s no better way to listen to music than by spinning a classic record. It has a much crisper sound, you can hold the iconic album art in your hands and there’s something to be said about the rush of spotting a rare find. Because vinyl is still a superior way of enjoying music, there are tons of stores in a city as big as Miami to get your retro fix. Whether you’re a vinyl collector or looking to start your collection today, support your local record stores by visiting one below…
Lincoln, NE | Vinyl: Lincoln’s 70s-esque vintage bar. Vintage chairs line the bar, and retro lights shine through the room. Music plays from a record player as hints of laughter echo. Cocktails are being sipped as bartenders stand behind the counter mixing drinks. Vinyl is a vintage-vibe lounge bar in the Haymarket owned by Tony Young and Mike Martin. They have finely crafted cocktails from the classics of the 70s to creative riffs on modern staples and elevated alcohol alternatives. It’s a 70s-inspired hangout that celebrates the art of mixology. “People have said, ‘oh, this reminds me of my grandma’s house, but not in a stuffy way,’” Jessica Powell, director of operations for Vinyl, said. “I think we want people to come be themselves again, not feel like that pretension that can come from craft cocktail bars sometimes.” The idea of Vinyl formed when Young was thinking about what to do with an open space in their restaurant, Fleetwood.
Staten Island, NY | Maker Park Radio’s annual record fair returns to Staten Island this Sunday: Casual collectors and obsessive crate diggers alike are going to want to find themselves a really big bag, as Maker Park Radio’s fourth annual vinyl record fair spins its way back into Tompkinsville this weekend to help support the non-profit community station. The highly anticipated gathering returns to Flagship Brewing Co. located at 40 Minthorne St., Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tens of thousands of records will be for sale with many vendors hawking 45s, LPs and 78s. Started in 2017 by Tom Ferrie and co-founder Kristin Wallace, Maker Park Radio is a community streaming radio station broadcast from MakerSpace NYC in Stapleton to create a hub for artists and music lovers. DJs from Maker Park Radio will also be on hand to mix it up live with hourlong vinyl-only sets both indoors and outdoors as a way of showcasing the wide variety of music played at the station
Audio-Technica releases 80s-style vinyl record player with Bluetooth support: The Japanese company Audio-Technica in collaboration with the clothing brand Wind and Sea has presented a limited edition portable vinyl player Sound Burger x Wind and Sea (AT-SB727 WS). Here’s What We Know: The novelty combines a bright retro design of the 1980s with modern features such as Bluetooth connectivity and a 12-hour battery. The original Sound Burger was released back in 1982, and the updated version has retained its distinctive shape and received modern features: USB-C charging, support for 33 and 45 rpm records, Bluetooth and the Audio-Technica branded audio driver. The device can be paired with Bluetooth speakers or headphones. Wind and Sea is a Japanese brand founded by stylist Takashi Kumagai in 2018. His style is inspired by San Diego surf culture and 90s street fashion. The collaboration also includes a themed T-shirt and bag.
Don’t stop believin’ in CDs: Gen Alpha dig physical music too. A recent survey exploring music listening and buying behaviour has revealed that interest in physical music is extending beyond Generation Z (17-28 year-olds), with Generation Alpha (1-16 year-olds) now embracing physical music too – listening to vinyl, CDs, and cassettes. …Karen Emanuel, CEO of Key Production, said, “In an age dominated by streaming, it’s the younger generations who are continuing to drive the demand for physical music. Vinyl is more popular than ever, and it’s clear here there’s an appetite for CDs, fuelled by youthful enthusiasm. For many of these young listeners, physical music offers something digital formats can’t: a sense of authenticity, ownership, and emotional connection. It turns music into a tangible experience—something to hold, display, collect, and connect with on a deeper level. It is more than a passing trend; it reflects a deeper cultural shift.”
The Ataris’ New Single Includes the Ashes of Lead Singer Kris Roe’s Dad Pressed Into Vinyl: “Car Song” is the band’s first track in 15 years. The Ataris are honoring the late father of lead singer Kris Roe with a new 7-inch single that includes Roe’s father’s ashes mixed in to the vinyl. “Car Song,” now available in limited edition 7-inch vinyl, was written in honor of Roe’s father, who passed away in 2014 due to complications related to alcoholism. In his honor, a portion of the proceeds from the “Car Song” 7-inch release will go to Shatterproof, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending addiction. “I’ve always been so lucky to have my dad’s unwavering support for The Ataris. He wasn’t just a fan—he was a fixture of our community. He would often interact with fans on the band’s message board, film live sets, and share them with everyone—everyone knew him. He was a huge part of the band’s journey,” Roe said in a press release.
Britney Spears’ ‘Oops! I Did it Again’ expanded for 25th anniversary: The expanded edition of Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again (25th Anniversary)” will be released on Friday, May 16th. The newly-expanded 25th anniversary edition of Spears’ historic sophomore album contains the original album and offers ten collectible bonus tracks including rarities and two new remixes–“Stronger” (Adamusic Remix) and “Oops!…I Did It Again” (Pessto Remix)–created especially for this release. The deluxe vinyl physical package includes a premium 20-page booklet highlighting the most memorable moments from the iconic album’s creation. In addition, a limited edition sangria colored 2 LP 12-inch vinyl pressing will be available as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) exclusive. “Oops!… I Did It Again,” recorded from November 1999-February 2000, followed the success of Spears’ debut album, …Baby One More Time.
Little Big Town To Reissue ‘Pain Killer,’ ‘The Breaker’ On Limited Edition Colored Vinyl: Little Big Town are set to reissue two of the band’s biggest albums—Pain Killer and The Breaker—on limited edition colored vinyl as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations. The RIAA Platinum certified Pain Killer (2014) will be available as a Translucent Ruby + Translucent Orange double vinyl set, and the RIAA Gold certified The Breaker (2017) will be available in Limited Edition Opaque Baby Pink Vinyl on August 22. Pre-order autographed copies at littlebigtown.com and soundslikenashville.com. The Grammy-nominated album Pain Killer includes the Grammy-winning, CMA Song of the Year and No. 1 country radio smash “Girl Crush.” A staple in Little Big Town’s live set, the song reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, ended up being the second-most played song of 2015 on the format, and is certified seven-times Platinum in the U.S.
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