Vinyl records are back in North East shops but why and for how long? For a format that was clinging to life only 10 years ago, what can explain the phoenix-like rise from the ashes?Ritchie Lattimore, manager of RPM Records, stalwart of the Newcastle music scene for almost 30 years, puts it down to a number of factors. He says: “There is no drive to listen to files on your computer any more, just pressing play. “People had forgotten how enjoyable it was to listen to records. “We had a loyal customer base who kept us going through our lowest ebb about seven years ago, but there is now also a hipster element. It’s fashionable again – I get that.”
Profile: Vinyl For A Cause: A few years ago, two friends and avid music lovers, Charlie Greengoss and Adam Victorn, sat in a basement spinning vinyl while watching YouTube videos. What started as an average night turned into a business venture after viewing a performance of Brand New’s lead singer Jesse Lacey covering Modest Mouse’s “Trailer Trash”. This insight was the spark that ignited Vinyl For A Cause; a record label focused on raising money for charity by releasing limited edition vinyl of bands and musicians covering each other’s music.
Meet the man with 4 million vinyl records for sale: A contender for world’s most intimidating record store, perhaps unsurprisingly, R&B conducts a large part of its business via mail-order. Shively’s biggest customers are the rare breed of collector obsessed with obscure group-harmony 45s as well as fans of doo-wop, blues, funk and rock’n’roll from the golden age.
