Modesto, CA | Downtown Modesto record shop moves its music to Roseburg Square: When you walk into Roseburg Square’s newest retail shop, you may not be able to immediately point out who’s in charge. That is by design, Broken Records owner Shavin Jit said, because “it’s more about the records.” But aside from one other employee who usually works once weekly, Jit is the one running the show. The 29-year-old Modesto native’s love of music inspired him to open a record store in downtown Modesto in October 2023. The around 400-square-foot unit at 1321 I St. was leased by Jit’s wife, Kianna, for her waxing studio for less than a year before she moved. “It just sat empty because I was stuck in a lease,” Kianna Jit said. “And then (Shavin said he) wanted to open up a record store. I was like, ‘Well, you have I Street.”
Christchurch, NZ | The Christchurch suburb that’s become a hub for record stores: A Christchurch suburb is turning into a hotspot for record collectors and music enthusiasts. Two new music stores have opened in Sydenham this year, both in close proximity to the well-established Penny Lane Records, which has been in business for 22 years. The Flipside opened on Wordsworth St in March while Scotty’s Hi-Fi opened on Stanley St in June. Penny Lane manager Garry Knight welcomed the competition and said it was good for the area. “[Sydenham] is a good location for … these slightly more niche businesses.” Knight, who has been at Penny Lane for 17 years, said Sydenham’s accessibility is what set it apart from other parts of the city. The suburb had a “laid back vibe” and plenty of places to spend time having a “dig around.” The cheaper rent compared to town was another attraction, he said.
Macon, GA | Taylor Swift albums alone pay yearly rent of indie record store as top two vinyl confirmed: As Taylor Swift continues to dish out new vinyl variants for her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, a record store is admitting she’s been quite lucrative for them. Vertigo Vinyl, which is based out of Macon, G.A., shared that album sales from Taylor records are critical to keeping them open. “I’m not joking when I say Taylor Swift sales alone pay our yearly rent,” they wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. The information drops come as critics continue to slam the pop star for racking up variants as part of her rollout strategy. Her fans, though, adamantly defend Taylor, pointing out that collectors’ editions are nothing new and largely used by other artists in the industry, who do not receive the same level of scrutiny. Vertigo Vinyl broke down the financial gain from Taylor’s discography a bit.
Milton Keynes, UK | Introducing a new Milton Keynes vinyl shop to get you in the groove! The recent year resurgence in vinyl has seen music fans rushing to collect those long lost pressings and original issues they missed the first time around. A unique record shop here in Milton Keynes is catering for the demand. Kick Muck Records opened its doors at the start of the year—it is the new city’s first repurposed shipping container record shop, and based in Little Brickhill. Owner Ian Dunmore is helping to fill a flourishing customer list with their most sought after discs. “We carry most genres—including prog and punk, 80s, 90s and indie,” he told MKFM, “I was a collector and loved record shops. I wanted to recreate that 90s vibe again,” he said, explaining the walls decorated with NME magazine pages.
Pekin, IL | Long-time Pekin record store to close at end of September: A long-time and beloved record store in Pekin will be closing its doors permanently next month. Owner Denny Smith opened Co-Op Records in 1998, which is currently located at the Court Street strip mall. Smith has since moved to Nashville to pursue a music career and work other jobs, and said the time commitment and recent financial stress over the last few years led to his tough decision. He said he hasn’t had the time to run the store the way it should be run, and that the shop never fully recovered following pandemic closures. “Even though that closure was only two and a half months, it really, really took the wind out of our sales, and we were riding pretty high at that point,” Smith said. “We just never really recovered from that.” Smith said he loved owning and operating the store and thinks the community enjoyed it, too. He said there are too many good memories to mention.
New Haven, CT | The Black Keys stop at New Haven record store to ‘hunt for rare 45s.’ The Black Keys are the latest celebrities to visit the Elm City in recent weeks—visiting a record store in New Haven. In an Instagram post published on Sunday, singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney were shown flipping through record at Elm City Records on Fountain Street. “Day off in New Haven on the hunt for rare 45s @elmcitysounds for the next @recordhang,” the caption on the Instagram post reads. The Black Keys Record Hang are DJ dance parties hosted by the band featuring both Auerbach and Carney as well as special guests spinning records for attendees. The last Record Hang was held in Brooklyn on Aug. 13. The group was in the area on its “No Rain, No Flowers” tour, which stopped at Bridgeport’s Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater on Aug. 19.
Glasgow, UK | Paul Heaton collaborator Rianne Downey to play Glasgow record store: A Scottish singer who has collaborated with Paul Heaton is coming to Glasgow to perform an intimate show. Having performed with Heaton of The Beautiful South at TRNSMT in 2023, Rianne Downey has also opened up for The Courteeners and has sold out shows across the UK. Bellshill-born Rianne has been up and coming on Glasgow’s music scene for the last few years after releasing tunes like Songbird and Home and Hard. After announcing earlier this year that she would be releasing her debut album ’The Consequence of Love’, Rianne has unveiled a special in-store show and signing in Glasgow. She will play at Assai Records store on Sauchiehall Street in the city centre on Saturday, October 18.
Three Classic Tejano Albums To Get Vinyl Re-Release: Sony Music Latin brings David Lee Garza, Los Palominos, and La Mafia classics back to life on vinyl. Tejano music fans and collectors are in for a treat as three classic Tejano albums are set to be re-released on vinyl September 5, thanks to Sony Music Latin. The re-release includes a 2-vinyl LP edition of David Lee Garza Y Los Musicales’ Estamos Unidos, originally released in 2002. The album features fan favorites “Contigo Amor” and “Chiquilina,” and earned a Best Tejano Album Grammy nomination at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003. Also joining the vinyl lineup is Los Palominos’ Corazón De Cristal from 1993, which includes unforgettable hits like the title track and “Ven Y Baila,” showcasing the band’s signature romantic style and energy. Rounding out the collection is La Mafia’s 1992 release Ahora Y Siempre, featuring timeless hits such as “Me Estoy Enamorando,” “Qué Haré Yo,” and “Ahora Y Siempre.”
Tulsa, OK | Vinyl Record Show of Tulsa, OK / Broken Arrow, OK: Find the Music You Love and the Memories It Holds at the Vinyl Record Show of Tulsa! What Awaits You: Vinyl LP Records: Tens of thousands, from budget-friendly $1.00 LPs to rare collectibles worth hundreds of dollars. There’s something for every music lover. More Treasures: Dig through a variety of music memorabilia, 45’s, CDs, T-shirts, posters, cassettes, and even a few 78’s. Exciting Door Prizes: Every attendee has a chance to win a free record, a cool T-shirt, or even tickets to future shows! Join us for your shot at some fantastic goodies.
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