Chart data collection change will under-report physical sales by 95%, say indie music stores: Indie music stores and labels are sounding the alarm over plans by Luminate, the music data provider for the Billboard charts, to change how it calculates physical sales at independent music outlets. …As of December 29, 2023, Luminate will shift from its current “modeled methodology,” which takes sales from a sampling of stores and applies weighting or a multiplier to calculate total indie physical sales and to a direct representation of sales reported by indie retailers. Billboard hails the change as an “improvement” and part of Luminate’s “continued mission to provide more accurate data to the music industry.” But indie music stores, labels, and distributors say that it will result in the collapse of indie sales figures, since only 5% or 72 of the estimated 1400 indie stores report sales to Luminate.
Liverpool, UK | Jacaranda Records set to open Liverpool’s first Japanese-inspired vinyl listening bar this week: Jacaranda Records is reopening its original record store and Liverpool’s first vinyl listening bar upstairs at The Jacaranda on Slater Street. The upstairs of The Jacaranda has undergone a complete refit which will allow the area to be used as a record store and co-working environment during the day but will also allow it to moonlight as the city’s only vinyl listening bar. Though in the same premises, The Jacaranda’s main bar and its vinyl listening bar could not be more different. While The Jacaranda’s main bar is internationally renowned for its rawkus-overdriven-good-time atmosphere the first floor new bar will create a cosier candle-lit atmosphere encouraging face-to-face across-the-table conversation and interaction. The bar will aim to be welcoming and vibrant without being overbearing and will have a modest seating capacity of just 21 people.
Lancaster, UK | New independent vinyl record shop set to open in Lancaster: An independent record shop will be opening soon in Lancaster. Forty Five Records will be in the Kings Arcade, Lancaster next to Leonardini Gelato and alongside Lapel menswear. Forty Five Records made an announcement on their Facebook page that after an eternity of searching they have found a place to call home. A spokesman for the business said: “We’ve begun work on our record shop in Kings Arcade, King Street, Lancaster. “Over the next few weeks we’re putting together somewhere we hope seasoned vinyl collectors all the way to people who’ve never touched a record player will feel welcome. “Whether you’re into the most underground garage track or want the latest chart topper in vinyl, we have you covered. No egos, no judgement, just good music.”
Huntsville, TX | Volume Music is Opening Soon: Volume Music was founded in the Woodlands in 2019 by Tiffany and Joel Cochran, two industry professionals whose lives revolve around music. Expected to open at the end of October at 1213 University Avenue, their new location will be the first record store in Huntsville since Hastings closed in 2013. Featuring new and used vinyl records, cds, and cassettes from a wide range of genres, their presence on the downtown square is a welcome addition to Huntsville’s retail offerings. …Merchandise will include an ever expanding array of concert shirts, adult coloring books, posters, stickers, album frames, crazy socks and misheard lyric tumblers. …“We have one group of guys who come see us every week, and other locals who have become regular customers, so we decided that opening a new location here would be a perfect fit. The first time we saw the space, we thought it looked like our record store belonged there.”
Cincinnati, OH | Popular Northside Record Fair Returns This November: The fair will have thousands of records from every genre imaginable for sale. Attention vinyl fans and crate-diggers: The Northside Record fair is back on Saturday, Nov. 4. The biannual fair, located inside the former North Church, now the Heart In Balance Event Center, at 4222 Hamilton Ave., features thousands of records in every genre imaginable, from jazz to experimental. Sponsored by Cincinnati’s Torn Light Records and Shake It Records, the fair will feature vendors from across the Midwest. “This ain’t no Beatles and Elvis fair. These vendors will be bringing out the good stuff, the rare stuff, the stuff you only dream of finding,” reads a release. “Everything from LPs, 45s, 7s, cassettes, CDs, posters, T-shirts and who knows what other kinds of memorabilia, plus DJs spinning killer tunes all day.”
Everything you need to take care of your vinyl collection: The vibes of the vinyl section at Urban Outfitters are ~so immaculate~ that it’s hard not to be inspired to grow your record collection. For music fanatics, vinyls are a fab way to enjoy your favorite albums without being tied to a device (guilty as charged). But the totally retro aesthetic comes at a price: You have to keep your vinyl clean to make sure you can keep impressing your besties with crisp tunes. (Pro tip: You should technically be cleaning your records every 20 plays.) Before you start stressing about which cleaning products to use, we’ve got *all* the vinyl maintenance hacks. …To clean all your favorite records, start at the center above the label and follow the grooves clockwise until you reach the outer edge. Then, repeat this in the opposite direction until you reach the center again. Make sure to do this gently with a flat finger.
Hozier, Paul McCartney, and The Specials announced to feature on War Child’s “Secret 7” Vinyl Project: War Child have just announced the return of their “Secret 7” vinyl initiative, featuring an impressive line-up, including Irish artist Hozier. War Child, a non-profit which works to protect children’s rights in conflict zones, has held the “Secret 7″ initiative annually between the years 2012-2020, having raised over £500,000 previously. Aurora, Celeste, and Siouxsie and the Banshees will also feature on the new project, with all records set to be exhibited and free to view at NOW Gallery from March 2 to 17, 2024. Secret 7” features seven musicians, each providing a track. This LP is then available on a limited edition pressing of 700 7” vinyl records. …The 7” records are then sold via online auction. The identity of the artist behind the record sleeve isn’t revealed until it’s sold, meaning the purchaser has no idea what they are in for. All proceeds will benefit War Child.
Jonathan Richman’s I Jonathan reissued on coloured vinyl exclusively for Rough Trade: Craft Recordings is pleased to reissue I, Jonathan—the 1992 lo-fi masterpiece from singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman exclusively for Rough Trade as an exclusive colour variant (a white with blue splatter) version as part of their Essential Edition titles. Set for release on November 17th, and available for pre-order today, I, Jonathan is a standout title from the offbeat artist’s solo catalogue, and features such fan favourites as “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar,” “Parties in the U.S.A.” and “That Summer Feeling.” Hailed for his authentic storytelling and candid observations about life, Jonathan Richman holds a unique place in modern musical history. The artist first emerged in the 1970s as the quirky frontman of the Boston proto-punk group, The Modern Lovers. Heavily inspired by the Velvet Underground, Richman and his bandmates soon built a cult following and garnered interest from a variety of record labels.
