The Vinyl Resurgence: Why Physical Music Still Matters. In an age where music streaming dominates the industry, offering millions of songs at the tap of a finger, one might assume that physical media has become obsolete. However, vinyl records have defied expectations, experiencing a remarkable resurgence over the past decade. …Despite its resurgence, vinyl will never replace streaming, nor does it need to. The two forms of media serve different purposes—streaming offers convenience, while vinyl provides depth. As the industry evolves, vinyl’s continued growth is a testament to the enduring value of physical music in a digital world. The vinyl revival is more than just nostalgia—it’s proof that music, in its purest form, is meant to be felt as much as heard.
Urban Outfitters unveils first-ever Pride vinyl collection: As part of UO Celebrates: Pride, Urban Outfitters is proud to debut a vinyl collection curated in collaboration with some of today’s most influential LGBTQIA+ artists, allies, and labels. Created to honor the deep connection between music, identity, and culture, the 18-title lineup features legendary releases from RuPaul, Kesha, Britney Spears, and a new drop from Frankie Grande. Bold, expressive, and unapologetically fun, the collection channels both high-energy beats and nostalgic anthems, available online and at select Urban Outfitters stores starting June 27. “At UO, we’re always listening to our customers and music is one of the most powerful ways they connect, express, and celebrate who they are,” said Jena Tracey, Executive Director of Home and Lifestyle Buying at UO.
Logic on Getting Advice From J.J Abrams For Directorial Debut ‘Paradise Records’ and Spending ‘Millions and Millions’ of His Own Money: ‘Everyone in Hollywood Said No.’ “I’m not being boujee, but they have to do this while we’re talking,” Logic says as a crew of makeup artists encircle him, powdering his face as we chat. “It’s okay,” I assure him. “You’re in Hollywood now!” “I know…it’s crazy.” We’re not literally in Hollywood but at the Getty Portrait Studios at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival, where the rapper, born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, is premiering his directorial debut “Paradise Records.” He’s still adjusting to the whirlwind of the film industry, a world far removed from the rapper’s lifestyle that defined his rise — one that earned him multiple award-winning, critically acclaimed albums before he announced his “retirement” in 2021. Music doesn’t fuel him creatively in the way it once did, and now he’s going all-in on his one true love: film.
Limerick, IE | A love letter to vinyl and community: Wreckquiem makes its world premiere this month. Wreckquiem is the new play from Pigtown Productions. Playwright Mike Finn and Pat Shortt chatted with Limerick Post’s Eric FitzGerald about this wonderful tribute to the underdog and a commentary on the value of community in a rapidly changing world getting its world premiere this month. Limerick will host the world premiere of Wreckquiem, the hotly anticipated new play from acclaimed playwright Mike Finn ((Pigtown Productions, Bread Not Profits). Finn returns with another powerful, heartfelt and comic tale—this time set to a soundtrack of pre-loved vinyl and K-Tel compilations. …Set in “Dessie’s Discs”, a cluttered sanctuary of old LPs, scratched CDs and faded gig posters, Wreckquiem introduces us to a group of eccentric regulars.
Denver, CO | Denver’s Vinyl Me, Please sold as it sues execs for starting RiNo plant: St. Louis-based VNYL Inc. purchased Vinyl Me, Please for an undisclosed price. Vinyl Me, Please, the once-thriving Denver subscription service that is suing its former executives for allegedly wasting company funds on a record plant, has been sold. VNYL Inc., a St. Louis company that owns similar subscription services, announced Tuesday that it had acquired Vinyl Me, Please on May 27 for an undisclosed price. “We have big plans to grow this community and welcome a new generation of collectors,” VNYL CEO Nick Alt was quoted in a news release about the sale, which was first reported by Variety. “But first, we have to do right by the customers who built it. That means making things right, listening closely and proving—through action—that VMP is still worth believing in.” Vinyl Me, Please has been criticized by customers in recent months for slow delivery times. The company has apologized at times and said it was restructuring its business.
Merge Records Merges With Secretly Group: In a move that sees two of the most important and influential American indie music companies joining forces, Secretly Group has announced a new partnership with Merge Records that sees Secretly co-founders Ben Swanson, Chris Swanson, Darius Van Arman and Phil Waldorf acquiring a 50% stake in the company while Merge co-founder Mac McCaughan will continue as label president and head of A&R. Laura Ballance, Merge co-founder and co-president and McCaughan’s fellow co-founder of the legendary indie band Superchunk, is leaving the music business for other pursuits. …Merge will continue to run as a standalone label while utilizing Secretly Distribution’s worldwide distribution arm and aspects of the Secretly ecosystem such as accounting, artist royalties, business affairs, licensing, IT and HR.
South Bend, IN | The South Bend Record Show returns for an early summer show: The South Bend Record Show is back once again for their early summer show this morning, as music enthusiasts flooded the Gillespie Conference Center to discover some new tunes. The show draws in music fans of all ages, and the crowd keeps getting bigger and bigger every time the show returns, despite the rise of streaming sites like Apple Music and Spotify. “I think, you know, the past 10 years overall, we’ve seen a growth and the interest of vinyl records. And then, you know, since I took the show over five years ago, we’ve pretty much doubled in size,” stated Jeremy Bonfiglio. Bonfiglio continues, “We’re now up to almost 40 vendors and 100 tables in here, and still have a really solid crowd to be able to support that. So, I think, I think it just continues to grow, and more and more people are discovering the kind of joy of physical media.”
David Bowie, Mick Jagger to commemorate ‘Dancing in the Street’ with 40th anniversary vinyl: A limited edition remastered white 12-inch vinyl will be available this summer. Forty years ago today (June 10, 1985), Live Aid, the benefit concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise further funds for relief of the famine in Ethiopia, was announced with a press conference on the pitch at Wembley Stadium. The show was held simultaneously on Saturday, July 13, 1985, at Wembley and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. One of the day’s highlights was the surprise duet of the Motown classic, “Dancing In The Street,” between David Bowie and Mick Jagger. The video for the track, which, like the song, had only been recorded and filmed in 13 hours, only 14 days earlier, was shown at 7 pm in the UK and 2 pm in Philadelphia, just before Bowie took to the stage at Wembley Stadium. The single version of the song was released on August 27th, with all the proceeds benefiting famine relief.
Rush Albums With Atlantic Records To Be Reissued On Vinyl In Upcoming Box Set: Rush’s four albums with Atlantic Records, released between 2002 and 2012, will be reissued on vinyl in an upcoming boxed set that includes Vapor Trails (2002), Feedback (2004), Snakes & Arrows (2007), and Clockwork Angels (2012). The Albums: 2002-2012 celebrates Rush’s enduring legacy as one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, receiving a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2013. The RIAA has certified Rush for having the third-highest number of consecutive gold and platinum studio albums by a rock band. The Albums: 2002-2012 will be available as a 7LP boxed set limited edition of 3,000 units worldwide from the band’s stores. Vapor Trails is Rush’s 17th studio album, released after the band’s longest hiatus of five years ending in 2002. It propelled the band back onto the charts, reaching No. 3 in Canada and No. 6 in the U.S.—despite being born out of difficult circumstances.
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