Chicago, IL | Dave’s Records Closing After More Than 20 Years In Lincoln Park: The vinyl-only record store opened on Clark Street in 2002. The building that houses is the store is slated to be demolished, the owner told the Reader. Vinyl-only record store Dave’s Records is closing. The store’s last day will be in December, but an exact date is still being worked out, according to the Reader’s J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil. Owner David Crain did not immediately return a request for comment but the store launched a massive closing sale Nov. 8, according to a Facebook post. “No more sad faces … you’re gonna make Dave cry,” the owner wrote on Facebook in response to the closing sale. “Only happy thoughts as we wind things down.” Crain opened the store, 2604 N. Clark St., in a former 2nd Hand Tunes location in 2002, according to the Reader. The building was sold about a year and a half ago, and its owners have said they plan to knock down and replace the building.
New York, NY | Getting the band back together: Tower Records opens new creative hub, Tower Labs, in Williamsburg: Sixteen years after Tower Records was forced to close all of their physical stores, the once-giant music retailer is making a comeback in Williamsburg — and taking a new approach. Tower Labs, a cozy, warmly-lit “creative hub” where artists and fans can mix and mingle at a variety of events, opened on Kent Avenue on Nov. 4. Rather than just selling music, Tower Labs will work with independent music venues across Brooklyn to connect with artists and allow them to host intimate events and gatherings before and after their shows. To stay true to the company’s roots, Tower Labs will also host pop-up sales of merchandise, physical music and collectibles from time to time. “The music business has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Vinyl and merch will always be sold at Tower Records, but at our core, we believe we’re a space where artists can feel at home and connect with fans searching for new music.”
Cincinnati, OH | The Gift Guide: Cincinnati’s Favorite Boutiques Where You Can Shop Local This Holiday Season: Shop local this holiday season with CityBeat’s Gift Guide. Everybody’s Records: With an expansive collection of new and used records, the independent Everybody’s Records has impressed music fans in the Cincinnati area for more than 40 years. Peruse the wide selection of vinyl covering genres from rock, pop and reggae to jazz, rap and country, plus find albums by local acts. Leave time to browse the CDs and cassettes to reveal long-lost favorite tunes you grew up listening to. Not only is this shop jam-packed with music, but you’ll also find band T-shirts and custom Everybody’s pieces. 6106 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
Lytham, UK | There’s A Record Resurgence & A Vinyl Revival As A Dedicated Store Hits Lytham: …Despite the incredible growth of online streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and Tidal over the past 15 years, vinyl has also seen a resurgence in interest and sales in the music industry. Statistics show that one in five of all albums purchased in the UK is now vinyl. According to the BPI, people bought almost 5 million vinyl records in 2021. And, as a consequence of this trend, Lytham is crying out for a record store, so if you have any old records in the attic then simply bring them in to Hollywood Exports and they will buy them! Resident expert Matt has been dealing vinyl records for 25 years and has a vast knowledge. He’s even one of the dealers on Dickinson’s Real Deal, specialising in vintage toys and vinyl records. Fair prices will be paid or customers can exchange old records for credit in Hollywood Exports.
Alexandria, VA | Crooked Beat Records To Move Location To Del Ray: Because the current building will be demolished next year, the record store will relocate to Del Ray. Alexandria’s only record store will relocate to the Del Ray neighborhood in 2023. Crooked Beat Records announced via social media it will likely move to Del Ray in February. The relocation is due to the store’s building at 802 N. Fairfax St. in Old Town North being sold with plans to be demolished in 2023. The business had been looking for a location for nearly a year to continue operations elsewhere. The specific address of the Del Ray location was not announced. The business plans to share more details about the new location soon. Crooked Beat Records sells new and used vinyl records, including rare finds. The store’s next major event will be Record Store Day Black Friday starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Mickey Guyton shares her top seven vinyl albums, supports women in Country: Mickey Guyton wants help from music enthusiasts to grow a well-rounded vinyl collection: Country music trailblazer Mickey Guyton is slowly growing her vinyl collection. While bursting with excitement, the hitmaker jumped on social media Monday (Nov. 14) to show off her latest finds. Not only does the assortment display Guyton’s diverse taste in music, but her deep appreciation for women in country. “I’m starting a little vinyl collection, and I’d love for you guys to see what I’ve got,” she declared before pulling out her favorites from an album crate. “What else should I get to add to my vinyl collection?” she asked her devoted fans. Guyton’s followers rushed to the comments to share their opinions. Carrie Underwood, Brandi Carlile, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Loretta Lynn are some of the notable names recommended. Country icon LeAnn Rimes, on the other hand, assured Guyton that her new faith-centric album “Gods Work” will be on her doorstep in no time.
Tori Amos announces ‘Little Earthquakes’ vinyl reissue: Tori Amos’ debut solo album Little Earthquakes will be reissued as a 2LP set early next year. The classic album has been remastered for vinyl by Jon Astley, it’s the first time it’s been pressed across two LPs, available in traditional black vinyl or coke bottle clear coloured vinyl. In Nicola Rayner’s Dig! feature on the album it is described as Amos’ “commercial and artistic breakthrough, [which] sounds as vital and powerful now as it did three decades ago. First released on 6 January 1992, it peaked at No.14 in the UK charts, with help from the singles Silent All These Years, China, Winter and Crucify, and it has since gone double-platinum in the US. In truth, however, every song on this seismic 12-track record – which regularly features in ‘greatest albums of all-time’ lists – is a little masterpiece.” The feature goes on to reflect, “Amos often compares her deeply personal debut album with a diary – ‘at a certain point you go, “Well, what is my thing? Who am I? What am I all about?”‘ – and it was an anomaly in the era of guitar-based grunge.”
Jerry Garcia ‘Garcia’ 50th Anniversary Limited Edition 2-LP on Gold Vinyl Out 12/2: Originally released in January of 1972, Garcia was the first solo album from Grateful Dead band leader Jerry Garcia. 2022 marks the record’s 50th anniversary, and a special reissue of the album on gold vinyl will be released on Dec. 2 — just in time for a proper 50th anniversary celebration, before the calendar flips to 2023. Per the reissue’s official description: Garcia celebrates its golden year in 2022! Expanding on Jerry’s first solo release, this 50th Anniversary Edition is a deluxe 2-LP set featuring the original album remastered from the analog mix master reels plus outtakes & explorations from the original sessions pressed to vinyl for the first time. Recorded almost entirely by Garcia with assistance from Bill Kreutzmann and Robert Hunter, six of the songs became staples in the Grateful Dead’s repertoire. Garcia (50th Anniversary Edition) is available on 180g gold nugget vinyl pressed in a limited run of 10,000 and includes a liner note essay from David Fricke.
Press on Vinyl are making records more accessible: More than any other year, 2022 has been dogged with vinyl delays. As major stars buy out entire plants to ensure their albums are out on time, independent artists and smaller acts have been hit with month-long delays on their presses. But up in Teesside, they have a solution. It’s an unlikely place to find a vinyl plant, but Press On Vinyl are on a mission to support and serve UK based independent artists and labels. Heading towards a capacity of 100,000 records a month, they’re making serious progress, even working towards producing greener vinyls. As if all that wasn’t enough, today they’ve announced a new update to help indie artists even more. Launching an e-commerce platform called FairSound, artists will be able to sell their records directly. They can also design the record on there, and offer pre-orders while they’re in production. Letting artists set a goal, with their records going into production once a certain pre-order target has been hit, it gives them full control and knowledge of stats and amounts.
