London, UK | London Independent Label Market returns for winter 2021: The ILM’s 10th anniversary celebrations will also include a market in Manchester as part of Tim Burgess’ Vinyl Adventures Record Fair. Independent Label Market is returning to London this winter to round off its 10th anniversary celebrations. Started at Soho’s Berwick Street market in 2011, ILM has hosted 70 events all over the world and has partnered with more than 600 independent record labels throughout the UK as well as in Paris, Berlin, Rome, LA, Toronto, New York, LA and elsewhere. The 2021 ILM winter event will take place on November 27 at London’s Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, hosting a celebration of music and vinyl culture plus DJ sets throughout the day as well as an after party at Spiritland. Labels and partners taking part include 4AD, Bella Union, Distiller, Far Out, Late Night Tales, Cherry Red, Sad Club, Fierce Panda, Memphis Industries, Erased Tapes, Partisan, Transgressive, Gare du Nord, and more – see the full list…
Savannah, GA | Not a broken record: Local Savannah record shops on increasing vinyl sales and popularity: A young man was flipping through vinyl at the back of Coastal Empire Records when Foreigner’s first record “Feels Like the First Time” began playing. Ken Jordan, owner of the vinyl store on Wilmington Island, noticed the young man stand there for a second before turning to Jordan to ask what version of the song was playing. Jordan, a collector of vinyl for over 40 years, was confused by the customer’s question. “What do you mean what version is that,” Jordan recalled asking the young man. “That’s the first pressed record.” But the young man had only recently gotten into the magic of vinyl and had only just scratched the surface of what they could offer. “I’ve never heard it sounds so good. My CD doesn’t sound like that. It’s missing something. I don’t hear the same instruments and the same vocals.” “He’s a diehard vinyl guy now which is pretty cool,” Jordan said.
Gardner, MA | The vinyl countdown: How this downtown business established a great track record: When Dave Pierce opened his Straightaway Records store at 118 Parker St. about a year ago, he did so with little fanfare. But his timing couldn’t have been better, as vinyl record albums have been enjoying something of a resurgence lately. In fact, according to reports, more than 19 million vinyl albums were sold in the first half of 2021, exceeding sales of CDs during the same time. The trend is expected to continue. “All of the people who have been coming in here from the Gardner area and the surrounding communities, the reception has been extremely positive,” said Pierce. “Some people were saying that they haven’t been able to buy records in this town for a number of years.” Pierce, who has an inventory of about 40,000 single 45s and 5,000 LP albums in his shop, said that one of the reasons for the recent popularity in vinyl records is the fact that music companies have recently begun reissuing new pressings of classic rock and heavy metal albums that have long been out of print.
Kylie Minogue named National Album Day 2021 ambassador, announces Fever re-issues: Kylie Minogue is re-releasing her award-winning album ‘Fever’ on several formats to mark its 20th anniversary and has been made a National Album Day ambassador. Kylie Minogue has been named an ambassador for National Album Day 2021 and is marking the 20th-anniversary of her iconic album, ‘Fever’, with limited-edition re-issues. The 56-year-old pop icon is celebrating the multi-platinum-selling LP – which included the mega-hit ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ – reaching the milestone by re-releasing the record on white vinyl, along with a unique print. Fans can also get their hands on a frosted recycled clear cassette, a silver vinyl format, and a range of bespoke ‘Fever’ merchandise. …She said: “I’m so proud to be a part of National Album Day alongside such amazing, inspirational female artists!” National Album Day – which sees artists celebrate the beloved format with one-off releases – takes place on October 16.
Goa, IN | Attention Audiophiles, India’s First Vinyl Bar – For The Record Has Taken Goa By A Musical Storm: If there’s one thing Goa is more famous for amongst the tourists than raving and bringing upon a little bit of disgrace on your family (aisa hum nahi parents kehte hai), it is the music of the land. People both from the outside and the inside can agree upon the latter. The Portuguese left Goa with many things and the gift of music was one that we cherish still. Did you know that while Indian Classical was a force to be reckoned with, it was never codified on paper or parchment. Since music was only verbally passed on, musicians across the subcontinent were not privy to putting it down on paper. However, the Goans were. Their knowledge of the codification system, passed on by the Portuguese, made them exclusive and synonymous to everything music and masti (thinking of Chic Chocolate with 20 others). Now, it’s only fair that Goa’s musical legacy continues and it has in the form of India’s very first Vinyl Bar in Panjim. For The Record is built with the aim of providing the ultimate musical experience. The space is, not surprisingly, the brainchild of a fellow audiophile. An architect and a Gypsy jazz Musician – Buland, inspired from the Vinyl Bars of Tokyo created history with his venture.
Oakland, CA | Billie Joe Armstrong’s coffee company releases limited edition Green Day vinyl: Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s ‘Oakland Coffee Works’ recently announced the release of a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl pressing with two tracks from Green Day’s 1994 BBC Radio 1 ‘Evening Session’ performance, reports Billboard.com For $19.99, the never-before-released vinyl gives recordings of ‘Basket Case’ and ‘When I Come Around’ on a unique purple vinyl chosen by ‘Green Day’ drummer Tre Cool. The custom jacket artwork was created especially for this limited release by artist Brian Viveros. “Oftentimes I think the BBC session recordings are better than the originals,” said Armstrong in a press statement. The release is a companion record to Oakland Coffee’s Green Day BBC sessions Part One 7-inch, which was released earlier this summer. The record features recordings of ‘She’ and ‘2000 Light Years Away’. Armstrong is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He is best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and lead guitarist of the rock band ‘Green Day’, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt in 1985.
Glassboro, NJ | How Vinyl Records Have Made a Miraculous Comeback: In 2007, 1 million vinyl records were sold in the U.S. In 2020, that number rose to 27.5 million. In the first half of 2021, 19.2 million were sold. After returning from the dead, this will be the 16th consecutive year that vinyl sales have grown. For the first time since CD’s came into existence, vinyl has actually surpassed the compact disc in terms of annual revenue. So with streaming still rapidly growing, what is the driving force behind the spike in vinyl sales? In an industry littered with marketing ploys and cheap gimmicks, vinyl records give fans an intimate connection to music. Physically going to a store to purchase an album, holding the cover art and listening to the songs in their intended order creates a deeper listening experience. The signature warm sound that a high-quality turntable produces can get any music enthusiast hooked.
