Record Store Day announces first slate of Black Friday 2018 releases: “There’s something for everyone on our list this year, which means there’s something for everyone on YOUR list! We want to help you make holiday shopping fun, by encouraging you to do it in a record store. Even if it’s not one of the limited edition titles on this list, we’re pretty sure you’ll find something great to wrap up, and great to unwrap if you’re on the receiving end! Download a PDF version of the RSD Black Friday list you can use as a shopping list or a wishlist, and get more information on each title using the website version of the list. Thank you for supporting indie record stores!”
Milwaukee, WI | Riverwest’s We Buy Records is new to the block, but owner Andy Noble isn’t: There’s a new record shop in Riverwest. With a red neon sign in the window announcing the store’s name—simply “We Buy Records”—owner Andy Noble opened its doors to Milwaukee in August as a continuation of years of vinyl-related business endeavors. He is the longtime traveling record collector/trader behind the vinyl-spinning vegan restaurant Strange Town and the all-vinyl DJ event The Get Down, which is celebrating its 15th year in 2018. We had a chat with Noble on opening a brick and mortar record shop for the second time and about his adventures in record buying road trips that took him into stranger’s homes around the country. Andy Noble says, “Jumping into a store, again… It’s like a second marriage; why would you do it?” It’s because We Buy Records is different, he says.
Dublin, IE | The Vinyl Festival comes to Dun Laoghaire: It was annouced today that the Vinyl Festival will be coming to Dún Laoghaire this November. The festival will take place in a selection of venues around Dún Laoghaire including The Lexicon Library Studio, The National Maritime Museum and Eblana Senior College. The line-up of talented artists and special guests participating over the three-day extravaganza includes Joe Jackson, Horslips, Lenny Abrahamson, Don Letts, Gavin Friday, Bronagh Gallagher, Kevin Godley, Julie Feeney, Steve Averill and Adrian Dunbar along with many more. Established radio DJ’s Dave Fanning and Tom Dunne will act as moderators and interviewers for several of the discussions. The festival will bring together a wide selection of talent including International Musicians, Writers and Filmmakers, all of whom will take part in a broad series of discussions and play a selection of their own favourite vinyl records.
Lennon, Dylan, Hendrix Box Sets Revealed As 2018 Reissues Set Record: The multi-million-dollar musical reissue bandwagon is having its third straight record year in 2018. This year’s total of box set titles is boosted by artists such as the Beatles; John Lennon solo; Led Zeppelin; Kate Bush; Bob Dylan; Guns N’ Roses; The Rolling Stones; Jimi Hendrix; David Bowie; and Soft Cell. This week, the number of reissues by mainstream artists so far in 2018 will surpass 640 titles, already matching 2017’s final total. The number may rise again with more late arrivals for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the holiday period. Apart from classic albums reappearing, archive music is also coming to the fore, such as the first recordings from Prince’s massive private vault, Piano and a Microphone 1983, and David Bowie’s live release, Glastonbury 2000.
Eric Church hiding concert tickets inside vinyl records! Eric Church dropped his new album “Desperate Man” on Friday, and a few lucky fans who went out of their way to buy a vinyl copy of the album got something really special. The singer revealed that some independent record stores received vinyl copies in “Limited Edition ‘Desperate Man’ album jackets taken directly from the video shoot,” and not only that, he told fans to make sure and “check for a surprise included in a select few copies.” Although Eric didn’t mention exactly what the surprise was, a picture posted to Facebook appears to reveal concert tickets inside the vinyl copies. Eric hasn’t revealed exactly what record stores in what cities got the special copies, so be sure to keep your eyes open when you’re picking up a copy!
Phonica reveals new roll-top record backpack. DJs, say goodbye to your rickety old trolley bag… Soho record store and vinyl specialists Phonica have unveiled a new roll-top record backpack. With enough storage to fit up to thirty 12″ records, the bag is made of heavy-duty 600D Polyester and comes with a zipped front pocket, padded adjustable shoulder straps and a grab handle. The item is available in black, navy and dark green. Priced at £40.00, Phonica said the new bag “was perfect for DJs on the move.”
