Austin, TX | 5 niche Austin record stores to complete vinyl collections: Because Austin is a major music city, vinyls are increasingly popular among the community. Beyond blues and jazz at Antone’s Record Shop and Four Record Friday at Waterloo Records, The Daily Texan found five niche record stores to expand one’s music palette. End of An Ear, 4304 Clawson Road: Unique for its selection of rock and punk sounds, this record store in South Austin provides vinyls for both pop fanatics and underground music junkies. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, the store collects rare vinyls and sells CDs, DVDs and vinyls. The small business operates on a sell/trade system where audiophiles can bring in lightly used or in good condition records and CDs to either trade or sell…
Tokyo, JP | Tower Records Shibuya still going strong after 30 years: The Tower Records Shibuya store in central Tokyo continues to defy the odds, thriving at a time when more consumers are turning to online subscription services for their musical needs. The brick-and-mortar music hub, operated by Tower Records Japan Inc., marked its 30th anniversary this year, as other record stores have fallen by the wayside. Taichi Aoki, manager of Tower Records Shibuya, said the company has evaded financial crises because of its “culture to quickly respond to customer’s needs.” Tower Records Shibuya is also a popular spot for tourists. including visitors from abroad, in the bustling urban center. Aoki looked back on the changing times in Shibuya and stressed the secret behind the shop’s popularity can be attributed to its “flexibility and adaptability.”
Portland, ME | Windham man arrested for allegedly stealing records worth $25,000 from Maine Mall: Police said the suspect admitted to stealing over 500 items from Newbury Comics over the past year and a half. A 33-year-old man from Windham was charged with theft for allegedly stealing $25,000 worth of records from a store at the Maine Mall, according to South Portland police. South Portland police responded to Newbury Comics last month after a reported shoplifting. Police and employees of the store worked together to identify additional incidents involving the same suspect, police said. The suspect was arrested after police received a tip. The suspect then admitted to stealing over 500 items from Newbury Comics over the past year and half.
Tallahassee, FL | A vinyl lover’s guide to Tallahassee: In the midst of everyday chaos and responsibilities, one of the best ways to unwind is by surrounding yourself with musical geniuses. While it’s not a concert, it’s something that comes pretty close: record stores! I find that the best getaway to reset after a stressful week is to browse wanderingly through the aisles of what I’d call the best record shops in Tallahassee. There’s something so refreshing about letting your mind wander through different genres, bonding with peers who share the same passion, and immersing yourself in a space that still treasures physical media. Don’t worry, I won’t gatekeep these gems from you! Here are some of my favorite record stores in Tallahassee…
Sacramento, CA | Rocket Records: Hispanic-owned businesses to support during Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with celebrations of Latin American Independence Days across the nation. While many honor their heritage by attending events, they can also do so by supporting local Hispanic owned businesses. … Vinyl, records, CDs and tapes can all be found at Hispanic-owned Rocket Records Midtown, located at 1002 24th Street and the corner of J Street. From Pedro Infante to Taylor Swift, music enthusiasts can find a large range of music and their different outlets. Aside from selling music, the business also buys and trades records, CDs and tapes. According to the official Facebook account, they are open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Dallas, TX | Kate Siamro Says It’s a ‘Special Experience’ to DJ With Friends Who Elevate the Artform: The LadyLove owner takes us through her vinyl collection and explains why she uses her talents to uplift other DJs. …“Spinster Records had only been open a few months before I stopped by to buy some records. I stopped in while walking home from a coffee shop. We connected immediately, and I had the job on the spot. David and I really connected on the hospitality point of record shops. Neither of us likes the snobbery stereotype of the audiophile, despite loving the movie High Fidelity so much. I think I bought a Sonny and Cher album and that’s what started our conversation,” Siamro recalls. Siamro first learned how to DJ at the record store. She remembers, “Between the opportunities of Spinster Records and coworkers with potential wedding gigs, I found my footing…”
Knoxville, TN | The vibes are eclectic at Hi-Fi & Fly’s record store and vintage shop: The vibes are eclectic at Hi-Fi & Fly’s record store and vintage shop. July 24 was a big day for Michael Sayne, wife Dawn and daughter Hannah as Hi-Fi & Fly, 11422 Kingston Pike in Farragut, opened for business. The store has an eclectic vibe to draw in a vinyl-album enthusiast for hours. Everywhere you look there’s something interesting to see, from the store mascot, a stuffed racoon named George Racooney (a take on George Clooney), to the ample collection of turquoise jewelry it took nearly seven years to acquire, to an art installation of a fly with headphones listening to a vinyl album. “He’s not for sale,” Michael said of the racoon. “I just found all the pieces and there you have him … but you can’t have him,” he said with a chuckle.
UMe comprises Christmas classics into seven-inch vinyl box set: The 14-disc set features 45s of popular Christmas classics. This holiday season, some of the most iconic Christmas songs of all time will be available together on collectible seven-inch color vinyl in a new limited edition box set, perfect for vinyl enthusiasts and holiday music lovers alike. The ultimate soundtrack to the season, the Classic Holiday Singles Box Set, due October 31st via UMe, brings together 28 timeless songs from across the Christmas canon on 14 color vinyl 45s, from the unmistakable crooning of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, to the infectious, youthful energy of Bobby Helms, Brenda Lee, Chuck Berry and The Jackson 5, to the sunshiny harmonies of The Beach Boys and the jazzy sounds and immaculate voice of Ella Fitzgerald, to Santa himself, Burl Ives, to Elton John’s joyful holiday classic and holiday hits from John Lennon with Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney.
Newtown, CT | The Newtown Record Riot! Over 10,000 vinyl records in one room! Sun October 5th, Edmond Town Hall. It’s the return of the Newtown Record Riot, a vinyl record POP-UP sale in Edmond Town Hall. Over 10,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and family fun. LPs, CDs, food & drink. Great community! A giant record store lands in Newtown! Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! LPs and 45s and CDs too. All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. Regular admission starts at 10:00 AM ($5) with early admission at 8 AM ($10). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG! (Food and drink available too!)
Follow The Vinyl District on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE, Threads HERE, Bluesky HERE, and X/Twitter HERE.
