London, UK | Iconic record shop opens new store in London—full list of where they are across the UK: An iconic record shop has opened a new store on a street termed London’s ‘music epicentre.’ Rough Trade, one of the world’s leading music retailers, has opened a new store on Denmark Street, central London. The record shop will run over two floors and carry a wide selection of curated vinyl covering all genres. Rough Trade will be the first record shop situated on Denmark Street, joining a host of iconic instrument stores frequented by music lovers. Lawrence Montgomery, Rough Trade’s Managing Director, lauded Denmark Street’s ‘rich heritage and ongoing legacy.’ He said: ‘We are thrilled to bring Rough Trade to London’s iconic Denmark Street, a location that holds such a profound place in the city’s music history. Our new store will house an extensive selection of curated vinyl across all genres, as well as a specialist book selection and exclusive merchandise.’
Oklahoma City, OK | Your Guide to Oklahoma City’s Record Stores: Oklahoma City’s record stores offer a unique experience—a blend of community and discovery that sets them apart. More than just shops, they’re gathering places for music lovers to connect, share their passion for rare finds and build one-of-a-kind collections. From classic vinyl albums to the latest releases, you’ll find a diverse selection for every taste in the heart of OKC. Get ready to explore new music, join a community of passionate collectors and maybe even trade in some old favorites for a fresh new sound. Did you know? You can trade or sell your records at any of these shops. It’s a great way to support local businesses and refresh your own collection.
Winnipeg, CA | The pursuit of vinyl records—one Winnipeg collector’s dream: The sound of a needle hitting the groove of a vinyl record has been a big part of Peter Dul’s life for decades. In fact – it was pretty much all he had. “What I had was a couch and a shelf and my stereo,” Dul said. “I thought to myself, ‘I’m just going to get a handful of records, my favorite records, and this will be what I’ll own and then it just grew from there.” It grew so big that by 2019, he decided to get into the vinyl record business, selling albums at a pop-up space inside Thirsty’s Flea Market on Ellice Ave. Dul has not looked back since; instead, he is always looking out for more vinyl to buy and sell. “I’m looking forward to finding that dream collection that somebody would like to sell to me, that I could put in the right place and get it to the right people,” Dul said.
Nashville, TN | Nashville’s Dead End Records specializes in metal, punk vinyl: A new record shop in the Germantown neighborhood is turning the volume up to 11 on Nashville’s vinyl scene. Why it matters: Dead End Records specializes in vinyl albums by metal, punk and loud rock bands. Nashville is a vinyl-enthused town with several successful shops, but Dead End is a rare niche shop that focuses on a specific genre. The shop sells bumper stickers that brag, “No, we don’t carry Taylor Swift.” Driving the news: Ironically, the shop is located on Taylor Street in a collective of art galleries and retail shops near the Bearded Iris brewery. Dead End Records, which opened in July, is owned by Summer Daniels and Jake McKeel. The intrigue: Daniels lists metal mainstays Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon and Baroness as some of her favorite bands. “I love metal and rock and alternative stuff,” Daniels says. “But I always found it really hard to find that specific type of music.”
We need to settle this debate: Is it OK to call records ‘vinyls’?
[No. —Ed.] I try not to be judgmental, but I have a thing for correct nomenclature and proper pronunciations. I’ll let slide anyone who pronounces the “L” in “calm,” and I’ll give a little bit of slack to anyone who initially struggles with “quinoa.” But if you insist that “Uber” (as in “You’ve had too much to drink. Let me call you an Uber”) is pronounced “Yuber,” that’s when the red mist descends. I also get a little crazy when someone pronounces David Bowie’s last name like it’s the front of a boat. Despite being spelled “Gahan,” the name of the lead singer of Depeche Mode wants you to know that it’s “Dave GAHN.” And the guy out front of Queens of the Stone Age? Contrary to anything you’ve heard, it’s Josh HOMmy. (Trust me. I’ve talked to the man.) I get even more exorcised when someone insists on using the word “vinyls” when it comes to music pressed onto plastic. This isn’t just a mispronunciation; it’s a modern perversion that’s crept into the English language over the last couple of decades.
Nashville, TN | Vinyl thrives at United Record Pressing, the nation’s oldest record maker: During the six decades since United Record Pressing stamped out the Beatles’ first U.S. single, the country’s oldest vinyl record maker survived 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs, Napster, iPods and streaming services. Now, the Nashville-based company rebounded so dramatically that some of its equipment and technology was retrofitted to keep pace with an ever-growing demand for old-school vinyl. The 75-year-old company adjusted its business from filling jukeboxes to helping DJs spin and stocking shelves despite the COVID-19 pandemic. On shelves in its warehouse are master versions by Johnny Cash, Kanye West and The Black Crowes. It also came with a rich history as the first record pressing plant in the South, including an apartment atop the factory that housed Black artists and music executives during segregation. “You walked into this building and you just felt 50, 60 years of history and just the importance of what it stood for,” said Michaels, the company’s CEO and chair.
Farnham, UK | Farnham Record Fair hits the right notes with vinyl collectors: The debut Farnham Record Fair was chart-topping success with scores of collectors attending to pick up rare records. On Sunday, October 27 more than 200 music lovers gathered at The Maltings to search through boxes of vintage and newly released vinyl and compact discs. Richard Stone from 101 Collectors Records shop on West Street said: “The record fair was a rousing success I feel. “The main gauge for record fairs is happy sellers and happy punters, which were both achieved. The organisers did a good job of promotion and keeping the venue well informed before the event.” Event organiser Michael ‘Mitch’ Mitchell said: “Putting on the event itself was a really nice experience as we had the full support and help from Sarah Bath and the team at Farnham Maltings.
Erie, PA | The Erie Record Riot! Over 10,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Sat November 16th at Quality Inn & Suites. The Erie Record RIot RETURNS! It’s a GIANT vinyl record POP-UP sale at the Quality Inn & Suites. Sat Nov 16th. 10000+ vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. A giant record store lands in Erie! Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! LPs and 45s and CDs too. All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
IE | Resurgence of vinyl records sees revenues rise at Irish arm of Universal Music: Revenue’s at the Irish arm of the world’s largest record label increased to €31.7m in 2023. The revival of vinyl records and continued positive growth in subscribers to legal streaming platforms were key drivers of rising revenue at the Irish arm of Universal Music Group, which increased by more than 15% in 2023. Newly filed accounts by Universal Music Ireland Ltd show revenue at the company rose to €31.7m in the twelve months ending in December 2023, up from €27.3m in the previous year. The company, whose principal activities include the marketing, sale and distribution of recorded music, maintained its leading market share in the Irish music market in 2023, it said in its financial statement. Speaking on its uptick in revenue, Universal Music said this was underpinned by “continued positive growth in subscribers to legal music streaming services and also due to the significant resurgent growth in popularity of vinyl records.”
