Grand Rapids, MI | ‘They want things that are real again’: Shops open up as vinyl record popularity grows: Part Time Records and Vinyl Alchemy are seeing success with physical media, despite the prevalence of streaming services. Record stores in West Michigan are seeing strong numbers, despite the vast prevalence of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), there were about 40 million vinyl records sold in the United States in 2021. The next year, in 2022, there was a little over 41 million sold, a year-over-year growth of 3.2%. West Michigan has long been home to Vertigo Records on Division Avenue in Grand Rapids and The Corner Record Shop, now located on 28th Street in Grandville, but there are also some newcomers deserving of some love.
Nottingham, UK | Exclusive new editions of 40 iconic albums launched for vinyl week: Artists include Sam Fender, Bob Dylan, Gary Numan, Avril Lavingne and The Jam. Sam Fender, Bob Dylan, Gary Numan, Avril Lavingne and The Jam are among the artists taking part in hmv’s Vinyl Week 2023, with exclusive new editions of classic albums available for collectors. The entertainment retailer’s Vinyl Week has seen 40 new records drop in stores. This year’s drop includes The National’s GRAMMY award winning Sleep Well Beast on crystal clear vinyl. Fresh from his sold-out hometown shows at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, Sam Fender’s debut, Hypersonic Missiles is available on a green vinyl. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Sufjan Stevens Michigan is available on red and for Paul Weller enthusiasts, The Jam’s In The City is up for grabs on white. A special “Now That’s What I Call hmv Anthemic” compilation of era-defining tracks is also available in this year’s drop featuring The Cure, Oasis, Primal Scream and The Clash amongst others.
Tallahassee, FL | Tallahassee nonprofit gets donation of 10,000 records: This weekend vinyl enthusiasts got the opportunity to sift through thousands of records as part of a sale put on by a local nonprofit. Hundreds of people stopped by, searching through boxes to find timeless treasures. “Records are making a comeback,” said Karen Loewen. Loewen is the executive director of Tallahassee Action Grants, which owns Community Thrift Market. The organization just got a donation of 10,000 records. This weekend, they tried to sell as many as possible. “When they donated it, we were told that it was 1,000. And we’re like, ‘Oh, okay, we can handle that.’ But when we opened the storage facility, we’re like, ‘Oh my god.’” Loewen says organizing these records would’ve taken weeks. So, volunteers left thrifters to sift through them on their own. “It’s a little exhausting because you know, there’s no real organization to them,” one thrifter, Jim Gray, said. But Gray says the work is worth the reward.
Adelaide, AU | There’s A Huge Music Collector’s Market Spinning Into Wayville This July: The palooza will be abuzz with over 100,000 titles, including new releases, out-of-print gems, rare, and pre-loved treasures. If you like music, you’ll like this market. Dubbed as ‘Australia’s most iconic music collector’s market’, the groovy Music Palooza is heading our way. Come Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July between 10am and 5pm, The Latvian Hall in Wayville will be abuzz with music lovers sifting through over 100,000 titles, including new releases, out-of-print gems, rare, and pre-loved treasures. The musical extravaganza will well and truly be delivering the goods, with vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, memorabilia, and much plenty more up for grabs. Trust, you’re going to need the full two days to rummage through all of it! Whether you’re a purveyor of country, folk, dance, rock, disco, reggae, jazz, drum’n’base, rap, metal, classical, soundtracks, or something in between, the Music Palooza is your wonderland – and a mixture of interstate and local sellers will be upping the ante.
Burnley, UK | Beat goes on for Burnley Record Collectors Fair as it returns this weekend: The beat goes on for Burnley Record Collectors Fair. Doors will open to shoppers at Burnley Market Hall as the event returns on Saturday from 9am to 4pm. There will be additional dealers and regular faces amongst the 15 returning traders bringing Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Rock, Punk, Mod, Metal, Pop and more in the second in a run of six fairs planned for 2023. You can also visit the free valuation service on site for your gems and collectables.
What Goes Around Comes Around Again: 75 Years of the LP: Columbia Records introduced the long-playing record in 1948, putting a new spin on music. Now these vinyl discs outsell their CD successors. On June 21, 1948, 40-some reporters gathered at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York for a bombshell announcement: Columbia Records had developed a new disc technology that offered consumers much longer tracks, better sound, and a lower cost than existed then. The new microgroove, vinyl, long-playing (LP) discs spun at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute and held 22 1/2 minutes of recording time per side, compared with the standard 78 rpm disc, which offered just 3 to 5 minutes. The LP marked a creative disruption in the practice and business of music and revolutionized the recording industry. The meaning of the noun “record” changed: Instead of one song on each side of a disc, it now meant a series of songs on both sides of a single platter
Buyer reneges on $175K payment for Sgt. Pepper ‘Capitol executives’ copy: eBay buyer claimed the ‘Buy It Now’ purchase was a “mistake”; believed the price to be a mere $175.00. In a recent Market Watch, a copy of the Capitol Executives cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Capitol SMAS-2653) was reported as selling for $175K. And it did sell .. until it didn’t. The buyer clicked eBay’s Buy It Now button, committing to purchase the copy for $174,999.99, but later asked for mercy, so to speak. “The ‘buyer’ did not communicate with me for four days after [the Buy It Now sale],” says seller John Tefteller, “and then, finally, came forward and said they ‘made a mistake’ and ‘thought the price was $174.99.'” That is one heck of a ‘mistake.’ As reported, this copy of the well-known Beatles album was made in fall 1967, as part of a celebration for Capitol’s executives. Instead of the normal cover artwork, Capitol replaced the heads of most of the figures with images of the Capitol executives themselves. Reportedly, there were fewer than 100 copies made.
House label Local Talk on the pitfalls of vinyl: “It’s too much work just to be nostalgic.” Founders Mad Mats and Tooli say that despite the rise in popularity of vinyl, it’s still hard for independent labels to make a profit. House label, Local Talk, has revealed the downsides to vinyl production, especially for independent labels. In a new interview with MusicTech, founders of Local Talk, Mad Mats and Tooli, admit that despite the rise in popularity of vinyl in the 2010s and 2020s, it’s still hard for independent labels to make a profit. “I got a statement for one of my other labels,” explains Tooli, “and actually sold out a [vinyl pressing run]. It’s quite rare these days that you sell out the first pressing. And by doing the calculations, I made €120.” He adds: “It’s too much work, just to be nostalgic.” Instead, the label says it’s easier for independent labels like themselves to garner income through streaming services.
