Warwick, RI | Doomed Records get comfortable in their new location in Warwick: In an age of streaming and downloading, the best way to get a genuine experience when purchasing music is by going to an independent record store. It’s a place where you can find that gem of an album you’ve been looking for, or where you can buy a t-shirt or a collector’s item. There are a bunch of these places still operating around Rhode Island, including Doomed Records. Initially located on Broad Street in Edgewood, the business made a move down Warwick last fall. They are now located on 101 W. Natick Road, downstairs from the tattoo and piercing shop Cream BodyMods, directly across from the Warwick Mall. I spoke with owner and operator Eric Browning about how the move happened, rounding out his inventory and what makes Doomed Records stand out from other stores.
Hamden, CT | Replay Records closing in Hamden after more than 30 years in business: For 36 years, Doug and Mary Snyder have been slinging records out of Replay Records — a staple record shop located on Hamden’s Whitney Avenue. First opened in 1989, the shop moved from its original Whitney Avenue location to West Haven before moving back to Hamden for nearly the past two decades. Now, at the end of the month, the record store will be closing down and transitioning to online sales. “So many people have come through our doors in the last 36 years. It’s truly been a remarkable adventure for us both. We’ve always done our very best to bring you quality vinyl at affordable prices. I hope it’s been an enjoyable ride for everyone. I know Doug and I sure loved it,” reads a post on the store’s Facebook page.
Hagerstown, MD | Hagerstown’s Hub City Vinyl expanding its live music venue: Watch out Nashville! A live venue in Hub City has really taken off since it opened three years ago, where Jed Duvall will be performing this weekend. Hub City Vinyl may not be the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, but it’s a venue Hagerstown has warmly embraced. Duvall, a Paul McCartney tribute artist, is performing at Hub City Vinyl Saturday night. “It says something about how much Hagerstown needs and wants live music,” Duvall said. Duvall performs all around the mid-Atlantic region but loves Hub City Vinyl, in the heart of the city’s Arts 7 Entertainment District. Calvin Staley has been with Hub City Vinyl since its inception. “There just haven’t been a lot of options [in Hagerstown] to see a live show without having to go to Frederick or D.C.” Hub City Vinyl is expanding its live music venue. The project is expected to be completed this fall.
Rockland, ME | Private Press brings old-school records to Rockland’s Main Street: Like most Gen Xers, Justin Miller remembers his first vinyl record, The Germs. Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, before cassette tapes became overwhelmingly the popular choice for playing music, vinyl was king. Private Press, a 200-square foot space on 385 Main Street, which opened June 13, has been Miller’s dream business for some time. A private collector of vinyl records for more than 30 years, he began buying and selling records online before deciding to move the business to a brick-and-mortar location. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had a lot of time and dove even deeper down the well, discovering music,” he said. “As long as I’ve been interested in music, this felt like a natural progression and [the store] brings me a lot of happiness. I was working two remote jobs and resigned from one to open up this shop.”
Muncie, IN | Record Parlor of Muncie aims to create good music and good vibes: A new music store, Record Parlor of Muncie, has opened downtown, looking to provide access to good music and highlight artists from around the community. “We are mostly going to have used products, I am going to have some new releases as well, but my focus is on kind of the old school stuff just because that’s what means the most to me,” Owner Derrick McNelly said. “People can expect to find a lot of good used records, as well as art, jewelry, plants, books and just good vibes.” …“I moved up for Ball State originally and just stayed in town. I used to go to Dan’s Downtown Records when he opened here years ago,” McNelly said. “Then when he had to close, I just thought it was a shame we didn’t have any place downtown. So, my vision was always to not just have a record store but make it a social focal point.”
UK | Sophie Ellis-Bextor Sets Record Store Tour for New Album ‘Perimenopop.’ The record store tour will commence in Manchester on 9th September, with further events in Liverpool, Southampton, Oxford, and more. Sophie Ellis-Bextor has announced a series of in-store signings and performances across the UK the week of her 8th studio album release, ‘Perimenopop’, on 12th September via Decca. Following her headline album launch show at London’s KOKO on 8th September, the record store tour will commence in Manchester on 9th September, with further events in Liverpool, Southampton, Oxford, Birmingham, Coventry, Nantwich, Brighton and Kingston. There will also be a special Q&A with Sophie at London’s HMV Oxford Street on 13th September.
Glasgow, UK | Irvine Welsh to make appearance at Glasgow record store: Legendary author Irvine Welsh will make an appearance at a Glasgow record store this month. The Trainspotting creator will be promoting his new album and book at Assai Records in Sauchiehall Street on July 25. Fans of the writer who also penned Filth, Glue and the Acid House, among many more, will get the chance to interact with the author in a Q&A session. More famous for his groundbreaking books, the Edinburgh-born author has turned his hand to music with a new album Men in Love together with the Sci-Fi Soul Orchestra. It is described as: “A collaborative concept album, exploring the complexities of love, relationships, and the human condition. “The album blends classic Motown and disco influences with contemporary electronic dance production, creating a unique and powerful sound that is both nostalgic and fresh.”
Ringgold, GA | Ringgold Hosts Metro Chattanooga Record Show on July 19, 2025: The Metro Chattanooga Record Show, featuring a wide variety of vinyl collectibles, will take place on July 19, 2025, at The Colonnade in Ringgold, Georgia. Hosted by Jack Lightfoot, the owner of Jax-Wax: Quality LP Records, the event will welcome music enthusiasts eager to explore records and memorabilia from approximately 20 vendors across surrounding states. The show promises to create a vibrant and social environment where attendees can discuss their favorite music, bands, audio equipment, and partake in record trading. Serious collectors have the option to purchase early admission tickets for $10, which will allow them access at 9:30 AM. General admission tickets will be sold for $3 starting at 10:30 AM, and the show will run until 4 PM, catering to families and music lovers of all ages.
Denton, TX | Revolution Record Convention spins back for third anniversary: On the morning of June 28, the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center was transformed. Rows upon rows of records lined the main exhibiting space, posters were displayed on the wall and items from T-shirts to tote bags were visible to peruse as vendors from across Texas gathered to sell their wares. KUZU 92.9 FM, in partnership with Recycled Books, Records & CDs, hosted its third annual Revolution Record Convention. …“One of the larger areas in our mission as a station would be to kind of, in town, be the creative placemaker, and so you know anyone in a position like us would look at their town and be like ‘What could we provide? What can we give back to the community?’” said Peter Salisbury, KUZU 92.9 FM founding board member and university alumnus.
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