Category Archives: A morning mix of news for the vinyl inclined

Wirral, UK | West Kirby vinyl shop to take part in first Record Store Day: Wirral’s newest vinyl shop is taking part in its first Record Store Day this year. Dig Vinyl based on Banks Road in West Kirby announced it would be participating in 2024’s Record Store Day on Saturday, April 20. Record Store Day, which began back in 2007, celebrates and promotes the distinctive culture of record shops with special vinyl releases made exclusively for the event and stocked only by participating retailers on the day. Over the years Record Store Day has evolved into a prominent music celebration globally, involving thousands of record shops from all over the world, including more than 260 in the UK. Dig Vinyl’s second permanent retail shop saw the Merseyside brand branch out over the water to the Wirral, joining the vibrant independent retail scene of West Kirby.

Frisco, CO | Come for a latte, stay for the music. A new record shop in Frisco makes its debut at a coffee shop. …Adrian and Lehman opened up the doors to High Rhodes Records on Dec. 20 in the space attached to Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters. Now, when you walk into Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters, you can wander into a revamped adjacent space where original artwork by Adrian lines the walls and boxes and shelves are full of records and instruments. You can find guitar straps, turntables and maybe even a customer playing a song requested by one of the owners on a mandolin. Lehman and Adrian want their spot to create an atmosphere where music is approachable. Adrian, a regular at record stores, said that he understands that the environment can be intimidating for newcomers. He said he wants to ensure that his record shop is an inviting place where people who maybe aren’t too familiar with music can feel comfortable browsing.

Red Wing, MN | This Red Wing Record Store Is A Fave Of Minnesota’s Vinyl Lovers! Nestled in the picturesque town of Red Wing, Vyntage Vinyl is more than just a music store; it’s a portal to the past, a place where music lovers can reconnect with the timeless magic of vinyl records. Since its grand opening in 2015, Vyntage Vinyl has become a beloved destination for those seeking the warmth and nostalgia that only vinyl can provide. As you step into the store, you’re greeted by the comforting scent of old records and the soft hum of music playing in the background. The shelves are lined with an impressive collection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes, spanning all genres and eras. From classic rock to jazz, country to pop, there’s something for everyone.

Glasgow, UK | Queue’s that? Hundreds of fans queue outside Glasgow record store for glimpse of star guest: Singer—who is a huge Swiftie—has millions of online followers. YouTube singing sensation Conan Gray was in town and held a signing session at the city’s Assai Records. The US crooner is promoting the release of his new album Found Heaven which comes out on April 5. Scores of fans lined the streets with some waiting over an hour to meet their hero. The 25-year-old musician is best known for his hit singles Heather and Maniac. Ahead of his visit Assai had written online: “We will have the one and only pop sensation Mr Conan Gray signing in-store THIS FRIDAY in-store, to celebrate the release of his upcoming album.” The Californian has become internationally renowned and surpassed over five million YouTube subscribers. In 2013, he created a YouTube channel where he uploaded vlogs and covers as a teenager from Georgetown, Texas. Conan was then signed by record label Republic—the same as Taylor Swift—four years later.

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Vancouver, BC | The Record Store: Vinyl Lovers Tell Us How to Survive a Fire: “Our aim is to carry left-field and largely non-mainstream music we feel deserves a larger audience,” says Jeff Knowlton, co-owner of Vancouver’s Dandelion Records. “We hear the word curation often, but in reality we’re just trying to get the best stuff out there in every genre and sell it as cheaply as we can without going under.” Staying afloat is the name of the game for Dandelion. It’s a bit of a treasure hunt to find the shop’s current location in Vancouver’s Chinatown district, but after stepping through the unmarked doors of a shopping mall at 288 East Georgia Street—past medical clinics, vintage clothing stores, and BBQ ducks—I’m greeted by crates filled with vinyl. The sad news of Damo Suzuki’s death that morning prompted Dandelion’s owners to put Can’s albums on the shelves behind the counter, right next to Soul Jazz’s Studio One reggae compilations and Canadian artists like Magneticring and Fortunato Durutti Marinetti. Needless to say, there’s plenty of music here that you won’t find anywhere else.

Northampton, UK | Record Store Day returning to county stores in April: Record Store Day is on Saturday, April 20, and both Spun Out and Vinyl Underground are stocking official releases. Record Store Day returns in April, with limited edition releases again up for grabs at county shops. ​Spun Out in Gold Street Northampton and Vinyl Underground in Abington Street will both be stocking official releases. Collectors after specific records are being urged to get their requests in early so orders can be placed with distributors. Record Store Day is on Saturday, April 20, and is held annually to help champion independent record stores. The first official event took place in 2008 and this year, more than 270 stores will be stocking official releases which are not available to pre-order and sold on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Spun Out owner Chris Kent said: “We’re really looking forward to Record Store Day again and we’ve already had a lot of responses from people about what they want.”

Kanawha City, WV | Iconic West Virginia Record Store, Budget Records and Tapes, to Close After 52 Years in Business: Budget Records and Tapes, a record store in Kanawha City, West Virginia, is closing after 52 years in business. The store owners recently shared this news on social media, expressing both pride and sadness about their decision. The store’s last day of operation will be March 3. Since the closing news, lots of people have visited the store. Some are there to buy a final record, and others are looking for special merchandise. The owners didn’t expect such a great response from the community. For many years, Budget Records and Tapes had a loyal group of customers. One employee, who has worked there for 48 years, noticed lots of customers coming in after the store announced it was closing. The store was more than just a place to buy records. It was also a gathering spot for the community. One long-time customer talked about how he used to visit the store with his family. He said the record store was more than just a business. It was a key part of the community.

Nashville, TN | 4-Story Bar & Venue Coming to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop Location: The Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Lower Broadway in Nashville is a national landmark and was a living piece of country music history. In 2022 after being shuttered amid an ownership battle and uncertainty for the future of the business, a set of investors stepped up to buy the property and business. At the time, the hope was that the Ernest Tubb Record Shop would be saved. The building at 417 Broadway will be preserved indefinitely thanks to historic covenants protecting the structure itself. But both the current ownership group of the building, and the company the owners have partnered with to lease and manage the property, are not currently committing to saving the record shop business itself. Instead the current plan is to build a multi-level honky tonk bar and music venue at the property, with perhaps a tip of the hat to the location’s Ernest Tubb legacy. …However, paying tribute to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, and re-opening the Ernest Tubb Record Shop are two separate things.

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Oxford, OH | Black Plastic closes Oxford location, leaving collectors without a record store: Toward the end of the fall semester, record collectors were in for a shock when they made their way Uptown and discovered that Black Plastic, the record store in Oxford, had closed its doors. After opening in late 2022, the record store was only open for about a year before its closure. Black Plastic sold a variety of records, with new releases from artists like Taylor Swift to older, used vinyl. On top of selling records, the store also held an early listening party for Mitski’s album “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.” Emma Schaefer, a first-year speech pathology and audiology major, attended this listening party. “It was fun. They gave us posters and wristbands and stuff for her new album,” Schaefer said. “We went and they played the record over the whole store.” Despite having never purchased from Black Plastic directly, Schaefer has collected records since she was in eighth grade.

Kanawha, WV | Kanawha County record store to close after more than 50 years of business: A longtime Kanawha County record store is closing after 52 years. For more than half a century, Budget Records and Tapes operated at it’s Kanawha City location. They announced in a social media post Tuesday night that their days are numbered. “I feel great that I’ve have such wonderful business all these years, but I feel sad that we’re closing down,” said Priscilla Pope, co-owner of Budget. The store’s last day is Sunday, March 3. Ever since the announcement, hundreds of people have flooded in to grab one more vinyl or maybe a piece of merchandise. Pope said folks were ready to shop on Wednesday even before doors opened. “They were outside waiting on us when we opened at 10,” she said. A few hundred people made their way to the store Wednesday. Pope expects more larger crowds leading up to their last day.

Waco, TX | A record achievement: Vintage Mío serves nonprofits through vinyl music sales: Four years ago, Armando Cardoso began selling records online as a side gig after inheriting a large collection from his aunt. Now, he runs Vintage Mío at 108 S Sixth St., uniting people through a shared love of music while giving back to those in need. Cardoso said he knew very little about records when he first started the venture. “I knew what a record was; I just didn’t understand things like how Elvis sounded on a 78 RPM,” Cardoso said. …About two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic, Cardoso decided to leave his job of 12 years to focus on health concerns. As the impact of the pandemic began to unfold across the globe, Cardoso said he saw the great need of nonprofits in his area of Oregon. Wanting to find a way to start a business while giving back to those in need, the idea for Vintage Mío — mío meaning “mine” in Spanish — was born.

Sandy, OR | A Record Shop in Sandy connects people to music, each other: When Scott “Minty” Minton rented the storefront at 39090-B Pioneer Blvd., in Sandy, he did so with the plan of using it as an office where he would operate his design business. Over time, his vision for the space shifted and now it’s been opened up to the community as A Record Shop. A Record Shop offers exactly what the name implies: a curated selection of vinyl records, as well as CDS, cassette tapes and VHS tapes. But also a place for people to connect around music and commonalities. Minton has already hosted a few live band performances in the shop; think NPR’s tiny desk concerts but in a record shop in Sandy. “I didn’t start the shop to be a community space,” Minton explained, adding that he feels like he’s really just the catalyst, the connector, for the people who come in. “I talk to everybody who comes in. It’s definitely become something much greater than I expected it to be.”

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Pikeville, KY | Retro renaissance keeps record stores rallying: Kevin Harmon never expected the resurgence of records to be a lasting love. “I was apprehensive. I was like, ‘well this trend is gonna go away.’ I mean, obviously it’s not gonna last forever,” said Harmon. So, when his store Mountain Music Exchange—which carries instruments, accessories, music, and more—started offering a special vinyl room, he didn’t know how much it would grow. The idea was born when MME’s Hoss Hancock pitched selling records during the store’s open mic nights. From there, Hamond said, MME Vinyl was born. “We’re selling way more new vinyl than we were when we started. And that just keeps ramping up, which is crazy,” he said. With the trendy return to vinyl records during the last several years, Harmon said he has not only seen the number of records and options grow, but he has watched an expansion of the discs’ demographic.

Gibsons, CA | Gibsons bookstore uses music ties to aid suicide prevention: How Reason to Live Books and Records makes a difference through music. A Gibsons bookstore named Reasons to Live has been raising money for suicide prevention. Last year, they raised over $60,000 –more than their store earns in a year. For more than a decade, the owners of Reason to Live Books and Records, a used book and record store in Lower Gibsons, have held an annual Christmas party where bands donate their time to play and raise money for a good cause. Co-owner Tim Clapp said that while some people ask if the name of the store is dark, he would call it optimistic. “I think for me, books, and records have definitely been reasons to live.” Clapp said that in 2022, the event raised $17,000, an amount he did not expect to top. However, after 18 bands came to play at the 2023 Christmas party at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom, a staggering $63,757 was raised for the Crisis Centre BC and 1-800-suicide.

Phoenix, AZ | Record collecting community creates vinyl revival: Physical forms of music bring new listening and social experiences to students. Physical forms of music fizzled out with the rise of modern technology and music-streaming apps. But thanks to a growing fascination with nostalgic sounds, records aren’t completely done for. In fact, they are having a revival. Without the on-demand qualities of smartphone music, listeners are forced to experience an entire album from start to finish without the privilege of skipping at their leisure. But in a sense, this inconvenience makes the music-listening experience more unique. “I find that listening to music on your phone, it’s so impersonal,” Katie Gregson, store manager of Zia Records in Tempe, said. “Whereas, with records, you have your whole collection and you’re gonna go through it, and you’re gonna decide ‘what am I in the mood for today’ because it’s a full album, and you’re going to listen to it front to back, and it kind of changes the experience.”

UK | Kate Bush says she’s ‘privileged’ to become Record Store Day ambassador: Pop star Kate Bush has been announced as an ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day, on 20 April. Bush said it was a “great privilege” to support the initiative, which champions independent record shops and vinyl collectors across the UK.”Isn’t it great to see how the resurgence in vinyl has taken the music industry by surprise?” she said.”It had decided to leave vinyl far behind, but it would seem that not everyone agrees! I love that!” She added: “I know there are many, many artists who are just as excited to see the audience turning the tide.” …Announcing her appointment as Record Store Day ambassador, Bush also reflected on the appeal of vinyl records, and the listening experience they fostered. “In the same way that some people like to read a book on Kindle but also want to have a book as a physical object, a lot of people like vinyl and streaming,” she wrote. “Both have different appeals.”

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Luton, UK | Iconic record store Vinyl Revelations to celebrate 30th anniversary at Luton’s Hat Factory: Entrepreneur and music promoter Andy Chesham is known and loved in Luton for his iconic Vinyl Revelations shop in Cheapside – soon to celebrate its 30th anniversary with an extravaganza at The Hat Factory. But what many of his fans may not know is that he was Luton Town Football Club’s youngest stadium manager while still a teenager. …But he was made redundant in 1994 and the proceeds gave him the wherewithal to open the record shop he’d always wanted. “I jumped at the opportunity,” Andy smiles. “My obsession with music and records had me buying and selling records while still at school – some to classmates at Stopsley High and others via mail order. My chance finally came when we opened on May 2, 1994, in Luton’s indoor market in the Arndale Centre – now The Mall.”

Glasgow, UK | Legendary rock band coming to Glasgow for intimate gig: A legendary rock band is coming to Glasgow to perform an intimate gig at a city record store. GUN will perform to crowds at Assai Records on Sauchiehall Street on April 12, 2024. The group is embarking on a whistle-stop ‘Record Store’ tour and will be visiting nine music shops in eight days with a ‘stripped back’ set. It comes after the release of their brand new single Boys Don’t Cry which is described as a “testimony to the glory of hard, loud rock.” The single is taken from the Glasgow band’s forthcoming new album, Hombres, which is set to be released on the same day as the Glasgow gig. We previously reported that GUN are already set to visit Glasgow on April 26 with a gig at iconic East End venue St Luke’s.

Louisville, KY | Kentuckiana’s Largest Record Show Strikes a Chord at Ten 20 Brewery: Explore the resurgence of vinyl records at the Fleur De Flea record show in Louisville. From rare finds to beloved classics, join over 300 attendees in celebrating the timeless allure of physical music formats. In the heart of Louisville, a melody of history and culture played out in an extraordinary gathering this Saturday. Over 300 music enthusiasts converged at Ten 20 Brewery, not just for the craft beer, but to immerse themselves in Kentuckiana’s largest record show, hosted by Fleur De Flea. Amidst the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses, attendees found themselves in a haven of vinyl records, CDs, and music memorabilia, a testament to the enduring allure of physical music formats. The event highlighted not just the wide array of music genres available on vinyl but also the communal experience of music shopping.

Cheektowaga, NY | The Buffalo Record Riot! The Buffalo Record RIot! It’s a WONDERFUL vinyl record POP-UP sale at the Knights Hall in Cheektowaga! Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. The Buffalo Record Riot returns! It’s a WONDERFUL vinyl record POP-UP sale at Knights Hall, 2735 Union Road in Cheektowaga! Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! 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. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!

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NJ | Stop by one of North Jersey’s local record stores to find your next hidden treasure: While analog copies of music were once thought to be a thing of the past for most, they have experienced a resurgence in recent years. In the age of online shopping, many people are missing out on the excitement that comes along with digging through bins of music to finally find that one hidden treasure and, instead, have grown accustomed to having everything delivered to their front doors. So, whether you’re a seasoned music lover or you’ve just gotten your first turntable and are looking to build your collection, take some time to explore local record stores in our area. Here are nine local record stores where you can browse records, CDs and cassette tapes to your hearts content.

Southport, UK | New Vinyl Finders shop opens in Southport with a vast collection of records and CDs: Had a little saunter down Wesley Street in Southport this week and found a newly-opened gem. It’s Vinyl Finders, located in the shop that many Southport people will know as J A Kelly’s… and it’s a magical emporium for vinyl lovers! It has a vast collection of vinyl and CDs, curated over half a century, and spanning all genres and including rock, jazz, blues, folk, country, soul, Motown, classical and a liberal smattering of favourite power-pop and alternative country. There’s lots of vintage and rare music memorabilia and many of the records are rare titles and pressings. It even has a jukebox! The owner, Paul Darwin, described his background: “Music is my passion. For over 50 years collecting it has been my time, money and space consuming obsession!”

Glasgow, UK | HUGE queue outside Glasgow music store as fans wait to meet MAJOR Scottish band: Dozens of music fans queued outside a Glasgow record shop this evening to meet a popular Scottish band. Punters were spotted waiting in a long line outside Assai Records on Sauchiehall Street where The Snuts are expected to perform live and sign records between 5pm and 7pm. The queue to meet the lads looked to start at the doors of the record shop and continued past the Mackintosh At The Willow, stationed further down the street. It comes as the West Lothian band’s third studio album, Millennials, dropped today. The 10-track record has been released via the band’s newly set up label, Happy Artist Records. It follows their break away from their previous label home, Parlophone.

Kuala Lumpur, MY | Tandang Records a blast from the past for music lovers: There was a time when record shops were a common sight and music lovers listened to albums instead of streaming content. To be fair, there are still some audiophiles around, but they’re almost like members of an exclusive club today, sharing news and secrets about where to find a good collection of LPs, CDs and music cassettes. One of those so-called secrets is Tandang Records Store, located close to the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The walls of the narrow staircase leading up to the store are plastered with posters of famous bands and when you push past the heavy door, that’s where the real magic happens – a treasure trove of cassettes, vinyl records and CDs to feed your nostalgia. This store is co-owned by Wan Hazril Hisham Kadri. “What I love about my store,” he told FMT Lifestyle, “is that I’m able to share my love for music with my customers. We can connect through our mutual love of music, even if our preferences are different.”

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Indianapolis, IN | Record Store Day 2024: Here’s everything you need to know to shop vinyl records in Indy: Record Store Day, the day where music lovers and vinyl record collectors line up outside their favorite record store for exclusive pressings of their favorite albums has been announced for 2024. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re shopping in Indy. Record Store Day (RSD) was started to celebrate the culture of independent record stores, not owned by corporations. By partnering with musicians to release exclusive pressings of records, it encourages record lovers to show up o support their favorite local record stores instead of shopping at big box stores. Record Store Day is celebrated at independently-owned brick-and-mortar record stores around the world. There are 23 participating record stores in Indiana. The full list of participating RSD stores can be found on their website at recordstoreday.com/Stores. You can find the stores closest to you by typing in your ZIP code.

Louisville, KY | Record Store Day 2024: Here’s everything you need to know to shop vinyl records in Louisville: Record Store Day—when music lovers and vinyl record collectors line up outside their favorite record stores for exclusive pressings of their favorite albums — has been announced for 2024. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re shopping in Louisville. Record Store Day (RSD) was started to celebrate the culture of independent record stores, not owned by corporations. By partnering with musicians to release exclusive pressings of records, it encourages record lovers to show up o support their favorite local record stores instead of shopping at big box stores. Record Store Day is celebrated at independently-owned brick-and-mortar record stores around the world. …There are 22 participating record stores in Kentucky. The full list of participating RSD stores can be found on their website at recordstoreday.com/Stores. You can find the stores closest to you by typing in your ZIP code.

Austin, TX | Waterloo Records looking to move to new location: This beloved old-school store will need a new address in coming years. Waterloo Records, a beloved bastion for record collectors, music fans and the artists they love, has weathered many challenges throughout its more than 40 years of doing business. From major shifts in consumer trends and media formats to ever-increasing real estate costs, the shop has been through it all. Now, Waterloo faces another hurdle—finding a new home for the years to come. John Kunz, Waterloo’s owner, said he is weighing his options following Endeavor Real Estate Group’s 2019 acquisition of the 600 N. Lamar Blvd. shopping center that the record store has called home since 1989. The 1-acre site at the northwest corner of West Sixth Street and North Lamar Boulevard is coveted as one of downtown’s most high-profile spots.

Stroud, UK | The Final Spin: How The Trading Post Records Became a Vinyl Sanctuary in Stroud: Imagine walking into a place where the air is thick with history, every corner crammed with stories spun from vinyl. For nearly half a century, The Trading Post Records has been that magical spot for the residents of Stroud. Nestled between the rolling hills of Gloucestershire, this small record shop has not only been a business but a community hub, a sanctuary for music lovers. Next month, however, the needle will lift from the record for the last time, as the shop closes its doors, marking the end of an era. …”I took over from Jo Walters in 2001, and it’s been an honor to keep the music playing,” Vincent shared, his voice heavy with nostalgia. Through the decades, the shop has seen the evolution of music, from the dominance of vinyl to the rise of CDs and DVDs, and back again to the vinyl resurgence. It’s been a witness to the changing times, yet its essence remained untouched – a haven for those seeking solace in music.

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Vinyl sales to hit $5.2B in 2024, highest since 1990: Vinyl sales expected to reach $5.2 Billion in 2024, nearly double the amount made in the past three years. The popularity of vinyl records is on the rise, and artists are predicted to make a whopping $5.2 billion from vinyl sales in 2024, nearly double the amount made in the past three years. This surge in vinyl sales is due to a number of factors, including a growing appreciation for the sound quality of vinyl and a desire to support artists directly. Streaming services have made music more accessible than ever before, but they also pay artists very little money. Many artists struggle to make a living from streaming alone, and vinyl sales provide a much-needed source of income. In addition, vinyl records are seen as a more tangible way to support artists, as fans can physically own the music they love. The predicted rise in vinyl sales is good news for both artists and music lovers. For artists, it means a more sustainable way to make a living from their music. For music lovers, it means having access to high-quality music that they can cherish for years to come.

Delhi, IN | New Delhi record store Digging In India opens: Specialising in old Indian music and rare groove, the store plans to host listening sessions and workshops. Indian music archivist Nishant Mittal, who DJs as Digging In India, has opened a record shop in New Delhi. Named after his alias, the one-room store opened its doors on February 18th and is primarily stocked with Mittal’s vast personal collection. It includes Indian music of various genres and languages, including Bollywood, Tamil film soundtracks, disco, ghazals, qawwali, Hindustani classical, Carnatic and Bengali folk. A section of Indian spoken word, comedy and film dialogues is specially curated for sample heads and beatmakers. Rare groove records from Japan, the Middle East, Africa and Singapore are also available, plus rock, disco and pop. The store eventually plans to host intimate listening sessions and workshops, as well as artist meet and greets. “We want to promote vinyl culture and make vinyl more accessible and less intimidating for newcomers…”

Cambridge, WI | Strictly Discs to hold off on Record Store Day in Cambridge: The Strictly Discs location at 101 W. Main Street Cambridge will hold off on participating in Record Store Day (RSD) this April 20, according to owner Rick Stoner. Stoner, who acquired the company last fall and has been mostly working out of the Madison Strictly Discs location, has been making steady progress at establishing the Cambridge location with a projected opening in June. That June date is still set as an anticipated opening, which will fall in the same month as Make Music Day on June 21, in which Cambridge will participate with cities around the world who fill the streets with music. …Historically, RSD sees record stores organizing special sales or other sales incentives. Vinyl aficionados often treat the day like a music-focused Black Friday event, lining up outside stores from the early hours of the morning until opening in order to secure high-value items.

Winsford, UK | Call for community to help save record store after owner involved in crash: Owners of a record store and café are calling on the Winsford community to help save the high street shop. The Electric Church on Over Square had announced it was intending to close for good earlier this month. However, following a flood of support the store, it has managed to turn the tables and is continuing to open for business. This comes despite owner Jimi Ray Coppack and his wife being involved in a crash on Friday night (February 16), after a fox ran out in front of their car, which has been written off. Jimi and his wife were left ‘bruised and a bit shaken up’ after the collision, but now he is calling on their customers to help them save The Electric Church. He said: “We need the local community that has supported us so far to continue doing so and I hope the support that has been directed our way is a reflection of people’s appreciation of The Electric Church and not just because people thought we would be closing.

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UK | Q1 snapshot: Vinyl growth in double digits as major releases achieve significant physical sales: It’s been another significant week for physical music sales with a chart contest between Idles and Paloma Faith. Based on the Midweek Sales flash, combined physical sales for Idles’ Tangk (Partisan) and Paloma Faith’s The Glorification Of Sadness (RCA) were around 25,000. Crawlers are chasing a Top 10 finish with 4,515 sales by the end of Sunday (February 18). While Noah Kahan’s Stick Season album reached No.1 on Friday (February 16) with streaming making up the majority of consumption (59.5%), chart-topping albums so far this year by The Last Dinner Party, James Arthur, Green Day, D-Block Europe, Shed Seven and Lewis Capaldi have all been powered by physical sales. While streaming now accounts for the vast majority of the market, physical continues to dominate the top of the albums chart. Out of the 44 albums that debuted at No.1 in 2023, 86% of them had more than half their chart-eligible sales made up of physical sales.

Shibuya, JP | Tower Records Shibuya is expanding its vinyl record collection by about 50 percent: The popular music megastore in Shibuya is currently closed for renovations and will reopen at the end of February. Shibuya’s iconic Tower Records flagship store is currently undergoing a revamp, with a grand reopening set for February 29. Aside from reshuffling a few sections in the nine-storey building, the renovated store will see a notable expansion in its range of merchandise. This is especially true of the Tower Vinyl Shibuya section on the sixth floor, which will soon feature an additional 30,000 vinyl records in its inventory to meet the demand of nostalgic music aficionados (we are in our Eclectic Grandpa Era, after all). Post-renovation, this floor will boast roughly 100,000 records in total, 40,000 of which are either vintage or second-hand. In a bid to create Japan’s largest retail space dedicated to classical music, Tower Records will introduce an additional 7,000 classical music goods to its inventory.

Lowell, MA | Vinyl Destination, a staple of Mill No. 5, to close by end of February: A few months beyond its 10-year anniversary, Vinyl Destination will soon close its doors for the last time as father-son owners Dave and Dan Perry look to their next chapters in life. As he sat behind the cash register of his small store, with records for everything from The Grateful Dead to Bob Dylan still filling the shelves and the walls, Dave Perry, 67, recalled when a friend of his had approached him asking if he would be interested in starting a business to sell vinyl records out of a storefront in the new small business space being set up in Mill No. 5. “I was not really a business person at all, but I went to look at it,” said Dave Perry, a former longtime reporter for The Sun. “I had always sold records at record shows or record fairs, something I had been doing for about 30 years. Every couple months I would go and sell some stuff, and it would maybe pay my bills, but it was never serious at all.”

UK | Behind The Counter Aims To Profile Your Local Record Shop: Record shops are a key important of the music eco-system. Hubs for free-thinkers and devoted music fans, conversations in vinyl hubs have led fans to jack in their day jobs and pursue their passions – sometimes even opening shops of their very own. Behind The Counter aims to profile these souls. Returning for a new season, the documentary strand travels across the country, celebrating the people behind independent record shops. Constructed by Record Store Day, Classic Album Sundays and Bowers & Wilkins, Behind the Counter highlights the passion, and the sense of community, that keeps these shops moving forwards. The new season kicks off with the wonderfully titled Van Vinyl in Dorchester, before moving to Hey Joe Music and Coffee in Essex, and the mighty Tough Love in St Leonards on Sea.

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NY | 18 top vinyl record store destinations in Upstate New York: As the Baby Boomers will rightly recall, our lives changed when we bought our first record player and spent our chore money on records, both 45s and albums. Music freedom at last!! Vinyl records are huge right now. New ones are out there in big numbers, and at big prices. In fact, too big in my opinion. So, we settle for the used vinyl that we had, loved, through away, and now yearn for back. They are much cheaper than new vinyl re-issues, and are far more enjoyable to listen to, even with the errant pop, hiss, and dust moozy clogging things up a bit. Where just a few years ago a vinyl record store was a rare and much appreciated thing, today they are in almost every town, village, and shopping mall. In this gallery we find 18 great places to get your vinyl groove on. Sure most of these places sell the new vinyl releases, but they also have plenty of nostalgic gems to discover (or re-discover).

Murfreesboro, TN | LRB Skate and Record Shop’s grand opening in conjunction with celebration: …Gage Doran, 16, has been skateboarding for Volatile skateboards for nearly a year and they recently released his first-ever signature skate deck. The deck was designed by an illustrious artist who has done work for Powell Peralta, Bones Brigade Skateboards and for Jeese James from West Coast Choppers. Gage also has another smaller sponsor, JaxWax. Gage Doran began skating in Charleston, South Carolina. He said he really found his passion for it when he stated skating at Fred Deadman Skate Park in Manchester, Tennessee. Phil Doran has been encouraging of his son’s passion for skateboarding and has been a collaborator in his son’s achievements. “I would post a lot of videos, we’d go all day at different places: Nashville, Florida, South Carolina. Where ever we were I was shooting videos really to see how he was moving along in skating. A proud dad kind of thing.”

Manchester, UK | Rae Donaldson: Tributes paid to popular Manchester music shop boss: Tributes have been paid to a popular Manchester record shop owner whose store was frequented by stars of the city’s music scene. Rae Donaldson worked at Vinyl Exchange in the city’s Northern Quarter for almost 30 years. The store said he died while on his way to work on Friday, his 64th birthday. Among the tributes, former Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam said: “Music fans get attached to their favourite record shop staff. I loved him.” He described Mr Donaldson as “so interested, so sussed” and “a beautiful soul”. The store said his death had “knocked us sideways” and Mr Donaldson would be “a hard act to follow.” “We hope to mirror his passion, enthusiasm, musical knowledge and recommendations,” it added.

Ringo Starr “Really Excited” to Be Releasing New EP ‘Crooked Boy’ as a Record Store Day Vinyl Exclusive: Ringo Starr recently revealed details about a new EP titled Crooked Boy on which he collaborated with songwriter/producer Linda Perry. Now the former Beatles drummer has announced that the four-song collection will be released as a limited-edition colored-vinyl disc as part of the 2024 Record Store Day event on April 20. The EP will be available on black-and-white marble vinyl exclusively at independent record stores. Only 2000 copies of the vinyl disc will be sold. “I’m really excited to be releasing an exclusive edition of my EP Crooked Boy for Record Store Day this year,” Starr wrote in a message on his social media sites. “I’ve always loved record stores from 81 Renshaw or Brian’s North End Music Store in Liverpool to Tower Records and Amoeba Records in [Los Angeles] and I support them with Peace and Love.”

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Berlin, MD | Berlin Record Store Day set April 20: Town council votes 3-1 to approve new event. Berlin town officials have added Record Store Day to the 2024 events calendar. On Monday, town councilmembers voted 3-1 to approve the event, a collaborative effort between the town and several downtown businesses, for April 20. “Sound Storm Records celebrates this every year, they just wanted to do something a little more this year,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. Wells told the council that during the last merchant meeting, the connections of Sound Storm Records suggested the idea of celebrating Record Store Day in Berlin. Wells said the concept has grown in recent years and the day is marked by record stores around the country. “We really liked the idea,” she said. Wells said the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and would include closures on Pitts and Gay streets.

Vancouver, CA | Record Store Day Canada 2024 unveils its picks and participating stores: Music buffs and record bin hunters—it’s the day you’ve been waiting for. Record Store Day Canada has unveiled its list for 2024, promising limited-edition releases, B-sides, and special albums that you can’t get anywhere else. Take that, Amazon. The annual celebration is marking its 17th year, bringing attention to independent record stores globally by stocking the limited-release vinyls and other goodies. In Canada this year, Record Store Day takes place on April 20 with a bevy of releases from homegrown and international musical outfits. Arrive early, as there are usually lineups! Among this year’s releases is a live album from iconic Canadian alt-rockers The Tragically Hip (who are the Canadian ambassadors for this year’s event) from their 1993 performance at CBGB’s—the famed NYC venue and record shop that kickstarted the careers of bands like The Ramones and Blondie.

Dubai, UAE | Crate Digging in UAE: Dubai’s Best Vinyl Stores. With a universe of digital streaming platforms at our fingerprints, accessibility to music has never been easier. Despite this overwhelming supply of algorithmically-curated content however, our desire for analog hardware remains fixed in our DNA. The crate digging expeditions, the pop and crackle of the needle, and even the spine-curling sound of a scratched LP contribute to the overall tactility of the vinyl experience; the nostalgia emanating from a record is deeply ingrained in the interaction between the listener and equipment. With a growing demand for retro sound systems, the crisp and warm imperfections of spinning discs have become a physical manifestation of history in its sonic form. Hopping on this trend, vinyl advocates across Dubai strive to recreate this authentic experience with various spaces catering to this growing demand.

Stroud, UK | Stroud’s oldest record store to close: Popular record shop owner Simon Vincent has announced the closure of a record shop that has been part of the Stroud music scene for four decades. Trading Post on Kendrick Street is to close next month after 47 years of trading, but will operate online through its eBay Shop, Facebook page and www.tradingpostrecords.com. Simon also plans to have a presence at The Subscription Rooms. Popular record shop owner Simon Vincent has announced the closure of a record shop that has been part of the Stroud music scene for four decades. Trading Post on Kendrick Street is to close next month after 47 years of trading, but will operate online through its eBay Shop, Facebook page and www.tradingpostrecords.com. Simon also plans to have a presence at The Subscription Rooms. “The Trading Post has been part of Stroud for 47 years and I know that so many of us have grown up with it and, like me, have many fond memories of it.”

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Record Store Day 2024 List Is Announced! Indie Stores Celebrate With These Titles on Saturday, April 20th: Those are just a few of the artists who are proclaiming their love for the culture of indie record stores by having a special release available as part of this year’s Record Store Day. Now in its seventeenth year, Record Store Day 2024 on April 20 is looking to be one of the best parties record stores have ever thrown. A complete list of the releases (and other exciting elements of the world’s largest single-day music event) can be found at recordstoreday.com.

Dundee, UK | Keith Ingram on championing local bands: ‘We’re trying to do the things that record shops should do.’ With a third branch of Assai now up and running, owner Keith Ingram tells us how he founded Scotland’s fastest growing record shop. After a decade working at HMV, Dundee-based music-lover Keith Ingram was determined to start his very own record shop. When a first attempt in Stirling didn’t quite go to plan, Assai got its start online. ‘We were a top ten Amazon seller but completely under the radar. Nobody really knew much about us,’ recalls Ingram as we speak in the recently opened Glasgow shop, Assai’s third branch since the flagship Dundee store opened in 2015. Now having built a large community of record enthusiasts, Assai caters to a wide variety of genres, including pop, metal and hip hop. ‘We curate what’s in the shop so there is something for everybody,’ explains Ingram.

Dallas, TX | Good Records Celebrated Its 24th Anniversary With Brainiac’s First Dallas Show in 27 Years. Balloons, Buc-ee’s and Brainiac: the Good Records anniversary had it all. This week, Good Records celebrated a milestone. The shop turned 24, its third anniversary of being able to legally drink and its last year of being eligible to date Leonardo DiCaprio. On Saturday, one of Dallas’ most venerated record stores—which long stood on a Greenville Avenue corner before moving to Garland Road—celebrated the occasion with a big bash at Deep Ellum Art Co. The party was headlined by none other than Brainiac (also known as 3RA1N1AC), the first appearance in Dallas by the Dayton, Ohio, experimental rock greats in 27 years. Opening the stacked bill were Cincinnati cello rockers Lung (who are opening the bands’ tour) and Dallas’ own Baboon and Def Rain.

UK | As HMV eyes expansion, owner Doug Putman talks new opportunities, vinyl, CD and the first five years: Since its rescue by Doug Putman five years ago, the entertainment retail chain has got to a point where it’s now expanding once again, having survived the impact of Covid on High Street retail. Following its return to the London flagship store in November 2023, and Music Week’s report on a rare CD sales increase, the company recently issued positive financial results. For the 12 months ending May 30, HMV’s parent company reported that revenue increased by 18% year-on-year to £177.9 million. …The company has transitioned HMV to a contemporary retail offering with 43 HMV Shop concept stores, which now accounts for the majority of revenue. As well as exporting the concept to Ireland and Belgium, the business is “actively seeking to open both HMV and Fopp stores in new locations.”

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Sudbury, UK | Rewind Records opening new shop selling vinyl in Sudbury: A new shop selling vinyl records from ABBA and AC/DC, to Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, is set to open soon in a market town. Martin and Jenny Hay met when they were working at Compact Music in Sudbury and bonded over their love for music and desire to open their own record store. After leaving to work for Royal Mail and as a teaching assistant, the couple are taking back their passion for music and are opening up a new store. “I just wanted my music shop back and with vinyl sales on the rise again it just felt like the right time,” said Mr Hay. “This has all happened so quickly. We only spoke to the current owners of the unit last week.” The shop, called Rewind Records, will sell new and used vinyl records from a wide range of solo artists and bands. “Others in the area have been great with helping grow the collection, especially Gary at Groove Yard in Felixstowe,” said Mrs Hay.

Alhambra, CA | Str33t Records In Alhambra Curates Music, And Creates Community: Being a business owner in Alhambra is a full circle experience for Angelle Laigo. She grew up here, took piano lessons in this neighborhood at Pedrini Music when she was a kid and still sings in the choir at her local church. Her father started a community newspaper here after immigrating to the U.S. from the Philippines. He called it Street News. And here, on Main Street, is Str33t Records — Laigo’s homage to her father’s newspaper, community and her love of vinyl (Fun fact: the full name of the shop’s logo is Str33t Records ⅓, which is a nod to the revolutions per minute that records spin). “Str33t Records is the continuing legacy… of my family,” she says. “It’s a family passion project. I really couldn’t have done this without my entire family.” …Record stores “are gems in the communities that they’re in because they will have music that you won’t see” on modern streaming platforms, Laigo adds.

Wellington, UK | Wellington-based vinyl shop to join Record Store Day: A record store that opened last year has been the only one between Bristol and Exeter to be selected for Record Store Day. The 303 Records shop, based in Wellington, was accepted for the prestigious event. The store originally opened outside Ilminster in 2022 but owner Andy Ware thought a high street location was key to the business’s success. He said: “We set up the shop in November 2022 on a business park just outside Ilminster, after a few months we decided a high street location was going to be key to its success, we looked at a few different shops in Taunton, but high rent and crippling rates meant things were not going to be viable. “This is when we found the emporium in Wellington, we liked the ethos behind the workings and opened in Wellington in September 2023. “Wellington is full of independent shops and has free on-street parking for shoppers, what’s not to like?

Newcastle, UK | Dizzee Rascal visits Newcastle record store for album signing event with fans: The rap star visited Reflex records in Newcastle city centre on Tuesday night to sign copies of his new album, ‘Don’t Take It Personally’ Dizzee Rascal delighted Geordie fans when he visited a Newcastle record store to sign copies of his new album. The ‘Bonkers’ hitmaker held a special event at Reflex record store on Nun Street in the city centre on Tuesday night (February 13) to mark the release of his new album, ‘Don’t Take It Personally.’ The event, advertised on his Instagram page, drew a large number of fans who queued out the door to meet the rapper. Wearing a black and silver tracksuit and matching cap, Dizzee cut a cheerful figure as he greeted the crowd before heading inside the store. The event was part of the promotion of his ‘Don’t Take It Personally’ tour which saw him perform to a sold-out Liverpool crowd earlier this month. The 2003 Mercury prize winner is also set to perform sold-out shows in Brussels and Amsterdam on the European leg of the tour later this month.

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Brighton, UK | Crowd surfing and moshing in Brighton record shop: On my journey to Resident record shop in the heart of North Laine, I was pondering as to how on earth local heroes Snayx (stylized as SNAYX) would be going about their business for the launch of their brand new ‘Better Days’ EP, which had dropped on Friday 9th February. Surely they wouldn’t be up to their usual antics, would they? I mean, it’s an event inside a record shop, you know the sort of thing, where the likes of The Last Dinner Party sit on stools and play a four tune acoustic set lasting 18 minutes, you know just like that! Maybe the terrible trio of Charlie Herridge, Ollie Horner and Lainey Nix-Watson aka ‘Lainey Loops’ would also be politely sitting in a row by the counter with Charlie quietly singing to us, Ollie carefully plucking his bass and Lainey maybe tapping away at a record box or something.

Cambridge, ON | Cambridge vinyl market aims to keep love of records alive: Farm League Brewing is hosting a vinyl record market on March 9. When Harold Jacques looks back on his childhood he doesn’t visualize the memories, he hears them. Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Elvis Presley on the record player were the sounds of his youth thanks to a father who was obsessed with music. It didn’t take long for Jacques to form a love of his own as he began collecting vinyl records as a teenager. “When I was growing up, my dad was a big music guy and it was always playing in my house,” Jacques said. “I started buying vinyls when I saw my dad’s collection.” In the years since, his goal has been to share his love with others, including at an upcoming event at Farm League Brewing on March 9. The vinyl market features vendors sharing, selling and spinning their collections with the community. The entry fee is $2 with the proceeds being donated to the Cambridge Food Bank.

CA | Remembering Sam the Record Man as the last store closes: Like a lot of Canadians, I received a lot of music music education by wandering around a Sam the Record Man store. In my case, I’d be dropped off at the Garden City Shopping Centre in Winnipeg while my mom took my sister to music lessons. I spent untold hours flicking through the racks, watching what other people bought, examining the Top 40 singles display, and paying attention to what was playing on the store stereo. I could only afford to buy so much on the meagre amount I earned through part-time jobs, but I almost always went home with something. There was also this magical looseleaf book on a metal stand that purportedly listed the artist, title, and catalogue number of every record in existence. Submit your request to a clerk and in a mere three to six weeks, that record would be delivered to the store.

Phoenix, AZ | Phoenix Record Lovers Flock to Inaugural Cactus Music Market in Downtown Hello Lincoln: Phoenix’s vinyl enthusiasts are spinning with excitement as the dust settles from the inaugural Cactus Music Market. Held at the Hello Lincoln event space downtown, this event united record stores from all over the city under one roof, offering a haven for collectors and audiophiles alike. As Phoenix New Times reports, visitors to the market could sift through crates of records, buy cacti to match their plant-and-vinyl aesthetic, and relish in Phoenix’s bustling record store scene. The market, which drew no cost to attendees, is the brainchild of Hello Merch co-founder Sam Means, who, “Our event space was supposed to launch four years ago but COVID ruined those plans. Now that we’re past that we wanted to show off the space and invite all our record store, and label friends to come hang out with us here.” said, in a statement obtained by Phoenix New Times. Means’s love for records shines through in this celebration of the local music community.

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Grand Haven, MI | Couple buys record store to keep the music spinning in the community: After the previous owner needed to sell the shop, current owners Benji and Angie Stone knew they had to step up to keep the doors open. A quick question was turned into a dream come true. “I went home and I said, Hey, do you want to buy a record store? And she said yes,” said co-owner of “Off the Record” Benji Stone. Benji and his wife Angie, both from Michigan, went out and explored later in life but found their way back home. “It’s a really driving force for both of us to make a positive impact on this community,” said Benji. The shop has been part of Grand Haven for nearly 14 years, with each owner adding their own improvements along the way. “This room was kind of just underutilized. It was $1 record bin, it was cold, it was teal, I just wanted a space where I could hang out. And I was like, What do I have to offer? So I thought I could make delicious coffee and tea and just hang out,” said Angie. They say making a safe, judgment-free space for all was top priority.

Houston, TX | Downtown bar Off the Record can now sell vinyl with its cocktails: Veteran DJ and record shop owner Adrian de la Cerda is now overseeing Off the Record’s vinyl inventory. Last Saturday afternoon, the downtown Houston bar Off the Record finally launched its adjoining record store, and there was a lot of crate-digging going on that day. Many vinyl-heads—including veteran DJ Flash Gordon Parks and vinyl vendor Alicia Cannady of Good Stuff Records—showed up to the space that patrons step into first before entering the record-covered speakeasy, thumbing through the vintage LPs and 12-inch promo singles that have been sitting on the shelves since its opening late last year. In the past, customers have hit the bar with armfuls of records that weren’t for sale yet, asking bartenders how much. Sitting in a wheelchair and greeting everybody at the door on this day was Adrian de la Cerda, the store’s new proprietor. Running a record business isn’t new for him.

Seward, NE | Seward’s only record store closing down after just a year and a half: A record store in Seward is closing its doors this month after being in business for only a year and a half. Casey Sorensen-Kindt, one of the owners, says he and his wife have always loved music and discovered the record business while antiquing. From there they opened “Put the Needle on the Record” in Oklahoma, before moving to Seward to be closer to family. “It was profitable, it was fun,” Sorensen-Kindt said. “The closest next record store is in Lincoln and so it was nice to have it here in a small town. Something different.” He said running a small business in a small town can be difficult, but they received a lot of support from both Seward and Lincoln. The decision to close came because of the amount of time it takes to keep the store up and running. People have told Sorensen-Kindt it’s their favorite store they’ve seen in years, so it was a tough decision to close.

Whitchurch, UK | Record shop owner who lost his job turns his passion into a business and couldn’t be happier: “You are only on this planet once,” says Mark Fulton, the proud owner of The Vinyl Countdown in Whitchurch. “And, so, you should do what you enjoy rather than chasing the dollar all the time.” Mark has been true to his word. He’s turned to hobby into a business and he couldn’t be happier. He had, for many years, a job in the corporate world, working in construction sales. It was a good job, well paid and he met some great people. But he confesses he would get up and go out to work for the money rather than fully enjoying what he was doing. Life is very short, Mark says, and so, there came a point when he wanted change. He left his job and, in many ways, that was the spur he needed. Five months ago, music-obsessed Mark decided he wanted to try and turn his passion of vinyl collecting into a job. The Vinyl Countdown was born and the rest is history.

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