Orlando, FL | Park Ave CDs expanding into former Junior’s Diner: Iconic Audubon Park record shop, Park Ave CD’s (Instagram) has announced that it will be expanding its store over the next few months. The shop, which just celebrated its 39th anniversary, first opened on Park Avenue in Winter Park, before finding its way to its current home at 2916 Corrine Drive [GMap], and has been in business since 1984. The store will now be expanding into the former home of the adjacent Junior’s Diner, which has been shuttered for months following a sudden unannounced closure and abandoned renovation. Shop owner, Sandy Bitman, shared that his team was still, “putting our idea board together,” but that the diner was in fairly poor shape and that it would take some time to put it into order. …Though we can only hope they keep it a diner and add a jukebox featuring records from their collection and lots of fun new merch.
Eau Claire, WI | New record store in downtown Eau Claire holds grand opening: A new store opened in downtown Eau Claire on Saturday, and it specializes in vinyl music. Abraxas Wax opened on Graham Avenue on Saturday, with people coming in to peruse the hundreds of records and CDs, along with a few cassettes and VHS tapes. They have records for everyone, from classic rock to pop music. They even have Taylor Swift’s 1989 Taylor’s Version on vinyl for sale. Owner Seth Larson said that he decided to open a record store after seeing them when he was traveling abroad. The name of the store comes from one of his favorite music albums. “Abraxas Wax, it’s an album by Santana, it’s a pretty monumental Latin jazz, rock album,” Larson said. “But to me, it’s about the spiritual connection between music and people, so that’s really what I’m touching on when I call it the Abraxas.”
Dundee, UK | Opening date set for music-themed Dundee bar Groucho’s: The live music venue will open before Christmas. The new music-themed bar replacing legendary Dundee record shop Groucho’s has revealed its opening date. The Nethergate pub, at the site of the former record shop and namesake, will open in time for the festive season. Groucho’s was once considered a rite of passage for music lovers in Tayside – until it closed in 2020 following the death of owner Alastair ‘Breeks’ Brodie. However, the Groucho’s name will live on at the new venue. In a post on Facebook, managers revealed Groucho’s will open on Friday December 1. In the post, the bar also announced the live music bill for its opening month, with acts already lined up for Hogmanay. Irish singer-songwriter Johnny Scullion and former Morgan Academy pupil Pete Smith are among the acts set to play at the former record shop.
Beacon, NY | The Vinyl Room in Beacon, NY—Where Food, Music, Dancing, and Nightlife Collide: As I continue my quest for uncovering the hidden culinary gems in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, Beacon, NY has emerged as a beacon of exciting possibilities. For my dedicated readers at Hudson Valley Style Magazine, I’ve embarked on a mission to seek out the most vibrant, unique, and captivating dining and nightlife experiences in the region. Beacon, situated in the heart of the Hudson Valley, has proven to be the ultimate destination to escape the stale nightlife offerings of NYC. …Located at 396 Main St in Beacon, NY, The Vinyl Room isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an immersive experience. It seamlessly combines a cocktail bar, record shop, and arcade into one vibrant space. With a culinary chef on hand and an impressive selection of 12 rotating craft beer taps, the dining and libations are nothing short of extraordinary. Furthermore, The Vinyl Room has solidified its position as Beacon’s ultimate late-night haven.
Belmont, CA | The renaissance of vinyl records: In the age of digital streaming, the surprising resurgence of vinyl records has captured the hearts of many audiophiles and introduced a new generation to this previously disregarded music format. As the numbers continue to show growth in vinyl sales and as more individuals embrace the unique charm of vinyl records, it’s apparent that this format first introduced in 1948, gives listeners a timeless and cherished musical experience for all ages. To many people’s surprise, vinyl records are no longer seen as a relic of the past. According to stats taken by Billboard Magazine, vinyl purchases were traditionally dominated by the 55+ age group. However, as of 2021, vinyl sales are evenly split between the 55+ demographic and the 13-24 age group.
Taylor Swift Praises Jack Antonoff, Reveals “Sweeter Than Fiction” Vinyl Release: Swift shared a heartfelt post and a few photos of her with Antonoff on X. “There you’ll stand ten feet tall, I will say ‘I knew it all along,’” she wrote in the post. “This song always makes me think of my friend Jack. It was the first song we made together and watching him challenge himself and make beautiful art over the years has been the thrill of a lifetime,” she added. “How can he be 6 years older than me and also somehow still be my precious young son? We may never know.” Swift then told fans that “Sweeter Than Fiction (Taylor’s Version)” is available on the Tangerine vinyl edition of 1989. Fans can find that variant exclusively at Target.
Marquette, MI | Pop-culture guru Jon Teichman talks November events in the Upper Great Lakes: Discussing the Bay-Con Pop Culture Show, a Little Richard documentary, and the next Ore Dock Record Show. November kicks off with three pop-culture events in the Upper Great Lakes. Bay College presents the “Bay-Con Pop-Culture Show” on Saturday, November 4th. The event features vendor tables of vinyl records, toys, games, and more. The event is open to the public and is a fundraiser for BAY-CON’s “Return of the Bay-Con” on April 20, 2024. “I Am Everything,” a new documentary about the life and music of Little Richard, will be screened on Sunday, November 5th on the campus of Northern Michigan University. The film is presented in collaboration with the NMU Allies, NMU Campus Cinema, and NMU Vinyl Record Club. “Geoff and Jon’s Record Show” takes place the following weekend. The final record show for 2023 takes place Thursday, November 9th through Sunday, November 12th, and is a collaboration between Ore Dock Brewing Company and the NMU Vinyl Record Club.
What was the first-ever album cover? In the height of the digital age and a resurged interest in vinyl, picking the correct visuals to accompany the music is more important than ever. It can make or break a record sale, an extra gig attendee, or an online clickthrough. It can elevate a musician’s artistry or even surpass it. Some album covers have become works of art separate from their music, such as Andy Warhol’s visual contribution to The Velvet Underground and Nico. With such a long-standing history of album artwork, both physically and digitally, it’s hard to believe that there was ever a time when music wasn’t accompanied by a square-shaped visual. For a long period, though, physical pieces of music were simply wrapped in cheap, blank cardboard or paper. To a young designer called Alex Steinweiss, this artistic limitation made no sense.
