Jersey City, NJ | Jersey City’s Iris Records closing in February: “You can’t really live a full life without making difficult decisions. And deciding to close our shop on Brunswick Street has been a tough one for me. We opened in June of 1996 (Fridays only!), with a dude named Nestor buying a Bob James album for four bucks. 22 years and millions of dollar records later, we have lots of old and new friends who will be gutted by our news.This was the most difficult aspect of my decision. Sure, the rent keeps rising, the internet is killing us and our street is a construction site without any businesses to bolster our shop. None of this is news to anyone who lives, works or plays in the “new” Jersey City. But communities need things like record stores, and with Stan’s gone, JC will be left with no shop dedicated to music. That’s what rankles me the most. But nothing lasts forever, right? Anyone who has spent time chatting with me about life in general won’t be completely surprised by our closure. Running a business is difficult and I have a fair amount of tread on my tires. It’s time for a change!”
Kamloops, BC | Kamloops record store going cashless after nearby robberies: Barnacle Records doesn’t want your cash (for now). Since Jan. 11 there’ve been four robberies in downtown Kamloops — all within a couple hundred metres of each other — leading the record store to take a unique security measure. In a social media post last week, the owners of the store announced they would be going cashless for now, until the issue is resolved. That was after three robberies, one at Whispers and two at Moviemart, both just down the street from Barnacle. On Monday (Jan. 27), the McCleaners laundromat was robbed by a man with a knife and hammer. While police can’t confirm if the crimes are linked, Ronan McGrath, who owns and operates Barnacle with his wife Jessie, believes they’re connected, and while that risk is ongoing the shop isn’t carrying any hard cash.
Portland, OR | Where We Live: Portland slogan’s ‘weird’ roots: Portland is home to a wild assortment of people with delightfully original ideas. But one thing that isn’t original is the city’s unofficial motto. Weird, right? The phrase ‘Keep Portland Weird,’ it turns out, has Texas roots and one man is to thank for its migration to Oregon. Terry Currier, who owns a record store on Burnside called Music Millennium, told KOIN 6 News he was brainstorming a campaign to support local businesses in the city back in the early 2000s when inspiration didn’t dawn on him so much as it was given to him. “One day, I was talking to my friend who had a record store in Austin, Texas,” said Currier. That friend told him how someone had come up with the slogan ‘Keep Austin Weird.’ Currier loved it. So much so that he went to work spreading the slogan using a method that proved to be quite effective. “I made like 500 bumper stickers that said ‘Keep Portland Weird,'” Currier said. “And I made 500 bumper stickers that said ‘Keep Portland Weird – Support Local Business.'” Currier launched his bumper stickers in 2003, then ran a picture of the sticker in a local newspaper. The rest is history.
Hallmark Introduces New Vinyl Record Greeting Cards This Valentine’s Day Featuring Legendary Warner Music Group Artists. New Valentine’s Day cards feature vinyl records from Bruno Mars, Michael Bublé, and Kelly Clarkson. This Valentine’s Day, Hallmark is expanding its collection of Vinyl Record Cards with new cards featuring songs from legendary Warner Music Group (WMG) artists including Bruno Mars, Michael Bublé, and Kelly Clarkson. Each card includes an exclusive 7-inch vinyl record with two songs from each artist built into a sleeve on the card’s cover. Just remove the record, put it on any record player and enjoy the music. “Cards and music both share the power to change someone’s day and bring people closer, and our hope at Hallmark is that our new vinyl record cards will help people put their feelings into words,” said Tom Brantman, creative director – Hallmark Greetings Innovation. “These cards take Valentine’s Day to the next level as more than an expression but also a gift that can be enjoyed throughout the year.”
Jim James Announces Full Band Headline Tour, Deluxe Vinyl Reissue: …Paired in a die-cut gatefold jacket, pressed on specialty foil, UNIFORM DISTORTION/CLARITY: DELUXE EDITION sees both albums printed on newly colored vinyl, with UNIFORM DISTORTION available in a black and gold vinyl mix and UNIFORM CLARITY in a black and white vinyl mix. Furthermore, UNIFORM DISTORTION/CLARITY: DELUXE EDITION appends UNIFORM DISTORTION with two tracks from the original sessions, “It Will Work Out” and “Flash In The Pan” (Rock and Roll Versions) – both first released on Uniform Clarity – and also includes an exclusive 7″ single comprised of four never-before-heard cover versions: “Hot Burrito #1” (originally performed by The Flying Burrito Brothers), “How?” (John Lennon), “Fallin’ Rain” (Link Wray) and “Dark End of the Street” (written by Dan Penn and Chips Moman and recorded by innumerable legendary artists). Lastly, UNIFORM DISTORTION/CLARITY: DELUXE EDITION includes a double-sided foldout poster signed by James and exclusive to this release.
