Mesa, AZ | Mesa record store known for vintage vinyl and collectibles is making a move: When the plaza that houses your business is about to get bulldozed, you do what you have to do. Uncle Aldo’s Attic is closing its current location on June 30. Sometimes, though, good news is also in the mix where there’s bad news, and this is one of those cases. The store specializing in used and vintage records is heading to a new Mesa location, on Main Street, and closer to a lot of the action. “About a mile from The Nile and the surrounding businesses,” owner Desi Scarpone says. While the move and the location are great happenings for the shop, it was a business deal that propelled the action. “Mountain America Credit Union bought the plaza, and it is getting bulldozed. Right now, I’m the last man standing over here,” Scarpone adds. While Scarpone will be paying around the same rent rate, this new place is about three times the size of his current location.
Indianapolis, IN | How Indianapolis record stores are beating digital streaming apps: Vinyl records are no longer a thing of the distant past. Vinyl records are regaining popularity, with current sales paralleling patterns from the late-1980s. While nostalgia has played a key part, it’s not the entire story. Preference matters, too. Digital music might make it easier to find your favorite songs, but it also can make you feel less connected to them—and to new artists. Relying on apps makes the experience of discovering new music more challenging. People are returning to record stores to find what they’ve lost in algorithms. “It’s a little bit of a backlash to the digital age,” said Patrick Burtch, co-owner of Square Cat Vinyl, a record store in Fountain Square. “People want something they can touch, they can feel. … I think you feel a little bit more connected to the music.”
Phoenix, AZ | Phoenix readers share memories of Zia Records over the years: “I used to go there to buy Beatle bootlegs.” When the late Brad Singer opened the first Zia Records in Phoenix back in 1980, business was good right away. Music lovers and vinyl fiends found the 1,300-square-foot store near 19th Avenue and Indian School Road. They were the first of many. Over the next four decades, Zia expanded to more stores in Phoenix and Tucson as countless locals discovered new and used records the iconic Arizona retail chain offered. They also attended the many in-store events Zia held over the years, getting the chance to meet such beloved rock ‘n’ roll heroes as Veruca Salt, Linkin Park and Reel Big Fish. Last week, we published a collection of photos recounting Zia Records’ origins and glory years on the ‘80s and ‘90s. The nostalgia-tinged retrospective trended on the Phoenix New Times website for several days while multiple Facebook posts about Zia received hundreds of reactions and comments.
Oak Park, IL | Vinyl and community: A look at local record stores. From Val’s halla Records to Oak Park Records, each record store offers a diverse atmosphere. Oak Park’s record shops are more than music shops — they’re cultural institutions where history, culture and sound meet. Val’s halla Records will celebrate its 54th anniversary on July 26 and 27 with its annual event, hala-Palooza. The celebration will feature live music all day, special record sales and drink specials. “We actually have a liquor license as well, so we sell beer, wine, and cocktails — including our own beer, which is made by a great local partner, a brewery called Kinslahger Brewing Company,” Val’s halla Records owner Trevor Toppen said. Val Camilletti, who founded the store in 1972, was a beloved figure in Oak Park and a cornerstone of the local music community. She helped shape musical tastes for generations and created a welcoming space where people could gather and connect.
Manchester, UK | Official Oasis Live ’25 Fan Store Launches in Manchester: Ahead of the sold-out Oasis world tour, the official Oasis Live ’25 Fan Stores are set to launch nationwide, with the first one opening Friday 20th June in Manchester. Featuring a range of official Live 25 merchandise, including exclusive brand collaborations and limited-editions – the stores are set to perfectly complement the eagerly awaited Oasis live experience this summer. The first space to launch will be at The Avenue, Spinningfields in Manchester, in what will be a series of stores landing across the UK and Ireland. …Unavailable anywhere else, exclusive tees will feature graphics using Oasis album and single artwork including ‘Definitely Maybe’, ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’, ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Supersonic’ and more. Also available will be exclusive tour edition coloured vinyl formats of the Oasis catalogue with exclusive Live ’25 print, so fans can add to their Oasis collection of music.
Mandaluyong City, PH | How Local Record Store Satchmi is Helping Keep Local Vinyl Culture Alive: Over 10 years since it opened, Satchmi is now a household name for lovers of vinyl in the city. We check in with the store and find out how it’s staying true to its core purpose and how it has evolved into something more than just a record store. I remember how my dad used to listen to his Bee Gees records on his old Technics player. He always used to say how different the music would sound on vinyl. The snaps, crackles, and pops that come with it and in general, how exactly the artists probably intended their music to sound like. Thirty plus years later, I find myself having to agree with him as I immerse myself in the colorful culture of vinyl all thanks to a quaint and quirky record store slash cafe at SM Megamall. Established in 2012, Satchmi began from a place of deep personal connection.
The best record players for beginners and enthusiasts, tested by experts: Streaming apps like Spotify are great for convenience, but as a music enthusiast, I crave a physical connection to my favorite albums. That’s one reason I still take the time to pull a vinyl record out of its sleeve and drop it on the platter. The best record players turn listening to music into a more tangible, deliberate experience. Records can also offer better sound quality than compressed streaming, with a distinctly warm tone that some people prefer. It doesn’t matter what genres you’re into; if you have a similar ache to hold your music in your hands or see it on your shelf, then investing in a record player is a great solution.
John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” set for wide vinyl release: BMG is proud to announce the upcoming release of Boom Boom, a revelatory album from blues legend John Lee Hooker, arriving July 25, 2025. Originally released in 1992, the album captures Hooker in full creative stride following his 1989 comeback with The Healer, reinterpreting his most beloved tracks with a cast of modern blues titans. Audio was sourced from the original master tapes to cut lacquers for the album’s first ever wide release on vinyl. The album will also be available on CD with two bonus tracks. Recorded at Russian Hill Recording in San Francisco and The Record Plantin Sausalito, Boom Boom finds Hooker revisiting classic cuts like “Boom Boom,” “Bottle Up and Go” with fresh intensity and soul.
IE | Majority Stylo turntable review: Classic vinyl meets modern streaming: The Majority Stylo is packed with features that make it appealing to newcomers and casual listeners. Vinyl is back, and in a big way. I’m constantly amazed at how busy my local record shops are, no matter when I stop by. Whether you’re rediscovering dusty favourites or starting fresh, modern turntables like the Majority Stylo blend old-school charm with new-school convenience, including Bluetooth streaming. The Majority Stylo certainly looks the part, featuring an all-black, minimalist aesthetic that gives it a sleek and modern appearance. It has a matt black MDF plinth that is clean and understated. The aluminium die-cast platter adds a bit of weight and stability, and the carbon fibre tonearm is a surprising touch at this price point. It feels more premium than expected, though the overall construction is light.
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