To Stream Or To Own? What consumer trends tell us about the music industry: Each has their own unique benefits relative to your personal values. As the years go by, the decision between owning music and streaming music seems to be getting easier. The internet and streaming services have allowed leaps and bounds to be made towards the optimization of music consumption, discovery, sharing, and releasing. Many younger listeners have grown up in a world where they may have never seen a physical copy of an album, or possibly even heard a complete project front to back. There have always been ways to consume music without owning it. Radio stations have been broadcasting music to the masses for over 100 years, as one of the original ways to receive curated song recommendations at only the price of your playback system.
Valletta, MT | Valletta’s ‘Ancient’ Record Store Receives Copy Of Hungarian Novel Inspired By It: Valletta’s D’Amato Records store published a photo of a Hungarian young adult novel that was inspired by their store. The store which claims to be “The World’s Oldest Record Shop” were gifted a copy of the Hungarian book, authored by Zsolt Bernáth, and titled “The Record Store on Szent János Street.” The person who gifted the store a copy of the Hungarian novel shared a picture of shop owner William D’Amato smiling from ear to ear, book in hand, with a caption that said: “It is so exciting that William finally got a copy of the book that is basically about his shop and his family!” The novel, published in 2021, is about “an ancient record store” that hides secrets that Orsi, the story’s protagonist, thought only existed “in the legends of the Knights of Malta.”
If One Artist Dominates Vinyl Sales, Does That Still Mean The Industry Is Doing Well? It seems that every year a new modern-day vinyl sales record is being reported, which is a great sign for a music industry that could use more physical sales. The problem is, if one artist dominates those sales does that really mean that the vinyl industry is doing well? …Swift tallied almost 3.5 million vinyl album sales for the year, which is about 7% of the grand total. Not only that, “The top-selling vinyl album of 2023 was Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) with 1.014 million sold. That marks the largest yearly sales total for a vinyl album, and the first vinyl set to sell a million in a calendar year, since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991.” …The bottom line is that you have one artist who is skewing the sales numbers. Vinyl is still doing well and is a bright spot in the industry, but it might not be doing quite as well as we’re led to believe.
Muncie, IN | This “book club for music” fosters an environment that allows for connection and understanding: The chicking of a hi-hat, the thumping of a bass drum, the pattering of piano eyes and dreamy, soulful harmonizations overtook KC Kings’ senses as the lyrics of Solange’s “Rise” swam through her thoughts. The lyrics—hushed sonnets that build throughout the two-minute song—reverberate across the background instrumentals, amplifying and intensifying as the track continues to play. The song is the lead track off of Solange’s record-breaking 2016 album “A Seat at the Table.” Its theme explores Solange’s identity and intermingles with messages of empowerment. Its contemporary R&B sound drew King, a fourth-year music media production major, in and helped foster her connection to music, which she hasn’t been able to shake. Music does this regularly, creating connections. Sharing that connection with others makes something deeply personal and important, as music speaks for us in ways we otherwise cannot.
How Cincinnati, OH | On the Record: How Cincinnati’s Ever-Changing Music Landscape is Shaped by Independent Record Labels: Cincinnati’s vibrant music scene is partly molded by what could be considered the unsung heroes of the music industry: independent record labels. Cincinnati’s music landscape has always been diverse and lively. Various local musicians, singers, venues, recording studios, record labels and record stores among other cogs of the music industry have cultivated a rich music scene that impacts culture on local, national and international levels. Have you ever listened to the Black Pumas, the Monophonics or seen a show at a local venue like DSGN CLLCTV or MOTR Pub? Thumbed through the vinyl collection at Torn Light Records or found a zine written by a local artist among the store’s variety of books? Have you ever seen a local band play live and discover an out-of-town act on the bill? Craved a re-issue of an album from another era that touches you with nostalgia? Music culture is defined by these experiences, but who’s responsible for their curation?
Alice in Chains Announces 30th-Anniversary Vinyl Edition Of ‘Jar Of Flies’ EP: Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is abuzz with the announcement of a multi-format 30th-anniversary reissue of Alice in Chains’ acclaimed “Jar Of Flies”. Released exactly 30 years ago today (January 25, 1994),the EP made history as the first of its format to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in its first week of sales. In addition to a standard black 12″ vinyl release available from all retailers, the band’s official webstore will offer a number of D2C variants of “Jar Of Flies”, including tri-colored vinyl, cassette, a clear variant with “flies” embedded in the vinyl, and a deluxe box set featuring the EP on tri-colored vinyl, a logo-embossed jar with touch-activated red LED and faux flies, a 60-page hardcover book, and a double-sided poster, all housed in a screen-printed, UV coated shadowbox.
Foreigner offer limited-edition red vinyl ‘Farewell’ album for Valentine’s Day: As Foreigner continue a two-year farewell tour with Las Vegas residences at The Venetian Hotel and shows this summer, co-headlining with Styx and special guest John Waite, they announce the release of Farewell – The Very Best Of Foreigner (Hot Blooded Edition), a very special limited-edition album, available exclusively at tour stops and online in time for Valentine’s Day. This limited-edition, red vinyl collector’s album features Foreigner’s greatest hits produced by Mick Jones with Jeff Pilson. Tracks include “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice,” “Urgent,” “Double Vision” and the worldwide No. 1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” among many more. Only 5,000 individually numbered albums are available. The “Renegades & Juke Box Heroes” tour is set to launch June 11, 2024 in Grand Rapids, MI at the Van Andel Arena, with bassist Jeff Pilson; Michael Bluestein on keyboards; guitarist Bruce Watson; Chris Frazier on drums, and guitarist Luis Maldonado joining original guitarist Mick Jones.
Microids Records Celebrates ATARI’s 50th Anniversary with special Vinyl Release: Microids Records proudly commemorates fifty years of video game innovation with the exclusive vinyl release of “ATARI® 50 – Anniversary Soundtrack” a collaborative project with ATARI. This milestone marks the inaugural official soundtrack gathering several titles from ATARI since 1983. Composed by Bob Baffy, this musical opus serves as a vibrant homage to the sonic heritage that has accompanied gamers and enthusiasts across generations. The album features a meticulously remastered compilation of ATARI’s most iconic and memorable tracks, alongside new compositions, offering a captivating auditory journey that transcends time. Available in a limited edition, the album hits shelves on April 17, 2024, providing an exclusive opportunity to own a piece of ATARI’s sonic history. In select regions, the album’s launch will coincide with the Record Store Day.
