Visiting the Record Shops of the South West: Whilst living in Poland over the past two years, I’ve been casually photographing record shops here and there. Going back to England for an extended stay, I was excited to revisit some of my old digging spots across South West England. Some had moved, some had changed and some spots had closed down. Here are five of those spots.
Vinal Edge, one of Houston’s favorite record stores, turns 30 years old this month: It spent nearly 27 years on Houston’s north side, nestled in a strip center off Veterans Memorial Drive, a far car ride for most Inner Loop music heads. It was common to hear collectors plan carpools out to the location, saving a Saturday or Sunday to rummage through boxes upon boxes of vinyl that owner Chuck Roast and his employees hadn’t yet priced.
New downtown indie record store the Vinyl Countdown celebrates its grand opening: Vinyl is far from being a dead medium, which works out well for Aaron Levy, owner of the recently opened record store, the Vinyl Countdown. “At this point, the choice of how you get your music is online or vinyl,” he says, pointing to the sales-by-format section of Billboard magazine. “From 2014 to ’15, CD sales are down by 10 percent and vinyl is up 31 percent. Digital is staying flat.”
Opening set for Jack White’s Third Man Records Detroit store: An opening date has been announced for Jack White’s Third Man Records store just north of downtown Detroit. The Detroit Free Press reports that the shop will open Friday with vinyl reissues from Tamla Records.
Record turnout as vinyl fans attend fair at Blanchelande: Passionate LP fans and music hoarders were spoilt for choice at this year’s Vinyl Record and CD Collectors Fair as they sifted through stacks of music.
