How the Vinyl Record Revival Is Spinning Into the Future: Vinyl got its groove back over a decade ago. Now, record manufacturers are looking at new materials and production processes to keep the party going. Back in the mid-1980s, as surely as video had killed the radio star a few years earlier, it seemed inevitable that CDs would relegate vinyl records to the landfill of history. I was not an early adopter, to put it mildly. My record collection, to which I was emotionally attached, numbered in the thousands. …Then, right around 2010, something miraculous happened: Vinyl began to bounce back. It’s been on an upward trajectory ever since, as the chart below illustrates. In fact, 2023 was the 17th consecutive year of growth for vinyl album sales, according to data compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). What’s more, sales of records last year surpassed CDs for the first time since 1987.
Rotorua, NZ | Rotorua’s new JB Hi-Fi set to open, generating more jobs for city: The “last major retailer of physical music” is opening a store in Rotorua, creating 30 local jobs. JB Hi-Fi is opening its doors in Rotorua Central today in time for Christmas shoppers, a statement from the retailer said. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell says the store opening is “great news”, particularly as it had brought more jobs to the city, while the Chamber of Commerce says it “speaks volumes” about business confidence in Rotorua. A local “retro” store says if it helps get more locals back into vinyl records, it will have a “positive effect” on his business. JB Hi-Fi marketing manager Jon Kirman confirmed the 30 jobs had been filled by locals. Kirman said the economy was still “tough”, with a lot of unemployment and redundancies. “We’re just super-proud to be going through this expansion project and adding people to our business…”
Dallas, TX | Leon Bridges brings a kick-back vibe to album signing at Dallas record shop: Leon Bridges emerges from the back of Oak Cliff’s Spinster Records and pulls up a seat at the signing table. It’s Sunday at 2 p.m., and Fort Worth’s coolest cat looks the part, with his oversized vintage sunglasses, brown leather jacket and black gloves. “Chill” is the word that comes to mind as he sits in front of a Christmas tree decorated with 45s, the soulful sounds of his latest album, Leon, playing on repeat inside the small store. …Over the next 90 minutes, about 200 people will get their Leon Bridges album — or poster, or T-shirt — signed. His friends Christopher Hamilton and Brandon Westbrooks stand on each side of him, helping with the logistics of wrappers and bags, though they step out of frame as he poses for one picture after another. In that casual way of stars, he doesn’t smile but occasionally throws up the peace sign.
CA | KFC Canada’s Kentucky Fried Carols Vinyl Will Have You Spinning This Holiday Season: There’s a unique kind of silence that falls over the table during holiday dinners – a moment of stillness when everyone is too busy savouring their food to say much. It’s that peaceful pause when the meal takes centre stage, and conversation fades into the background. But this year, KFC Canada is spinning things around and seizing the silence… by offering something no one saw coming into the holiday mix. Introducing ‘Kentucky Fried Carols’, a first-ever playable vinyl record made from the legendary bucket lid, allowing you to fill the room with Christmas classics this holiday season. The same lid that keeps your crispy chicken fresh, can now be spun on a record player after all plates are served.
Translucent Record Storage Units: Bentolabs is showcasing the new Aurala120A, an abstract storage system for consumers interested in vinyl collecting. This unit features a transparent acrylic construction that holds up to 120 records, allowing consumers to view their vinyls clearly through the see-through side pieces. Notably, this piece was born out of founder Grier Govorko’s desire to celebrate the hobby of vinyl collecting. “I’ve always been inspired by how designers like Charles and Ray Eames experimented with acrylics and how Pierre Paulin used transparent materials to create visual lightness,” “Govorko noted. The Aurala120A follows this legacy—using clear acrylic to achieve what feels like an architectural impossibility, where your records appear to float within the space.” The Aurala120A is available for purchase through the Bentolabs website.
Limerick, IE | Merchandise & Record Fair at Record Room: To commemorate the first anniversary of the release of Live at Record Room on vinyl, The Commercial Bar is organising a Merch and Record Fair featuring local artists and record dealers at Record Room (12-5pm – FREE ENTRY) on Saturday December 14. Expect a huge range of records, CDs, t-shirts from Limerick local legends such as T.A. Narrative, Hermitage Green, Emma Langford, His Fathers Voice, Anna’s Anchor, Dylan Flynn, The Hitchers and much more. Festival and gig promoters Bad Rep, Feile Na Greine and local record store Steamboat Music will be there too, all available to chat, take a selfie and sign merchandise. A great way to pick up stocking fillers, hear some great music and support our creatives to continue to record and release new material. …Come show your support and give the gift of local legends this Christmas.”
Oxnard, CA | Fidelity Record Pressing finds its groove in Oxnard: Listening to Joni Mitchell and other recording artists on vinyl is all in a days work at Fidelity Record Pressing. “We are just trying to keep it real,” said Fidelity Record Pressing co-founder, Rick Hashimoto. Hashimoto does audio checks to ensure that records hot off Fidelity presses have high quality analog sound collectors want to hear. “Sometimes we look at the grooves to troubleshoot,” said Hashimoto. “We want it to be the best it can be, our goal here is to make the best records in the world. We do a pretty good job of it. There aren’t too many things going out of here that aren’t top-notch.” The presses are hooked up to a custom boiler and cooling system on Factory Lane in Oxnard. He can dip his hand into super-sized sacks of of a premium vinyl compound that looks like chips. The vinyl chips are then melted into what they call ‘biscuits’ that look like a lot like hockey pucks.
Houston, TX | Houston, We Have A Record Plant: Houston, we have a record plant. For the first time since Houston Records closed more than 30 years ago, artists can have their own albums pressed on vinyl right here in town. In June of this year, Houstonian Joel Hoyle opened 610 Record Manufacturing and already he’s been a busy guy putting out two albums and moving through the list of artists. “I had to become an engineer,” says Hoyle whose previous experience is in music and restaurant supply. He describes spending eight hours a day watching videos online, buying old books and magazines about making records on ebay and cold calling other plants to ask questions of anyone who would answer the phone. “I was trying to learn anything I could about it,” he says, describing his awe at the fact that people would actually take his calls, answer his questions and let him come in and observe their vinyl plants when possible.
Trio of Robert Palmer albums getting first-ever vinyl release: Three albums by the late Robert Palmer will be released on vinyl for the very first time. The records, Live at the Apollo, Drive and Rhythm & Blues, will be released on vinyl on Feb. 14, and will also be reissued on CD and digitally the same day. Rhythm & Blues, Palmer’s 13th studio album, was originally released in 1999. Drive came out in 2003, and would wind up being Palmer’s 14th and final studio release before his September 2003 death. Live at the Apollo, released in May 2001, was Palmer’s first-ever complete live album. It was recorded in New York on the final U.S. date of his 1988 Heavy Nova tour and features performances of hits like “Addicted To Love,” “Simply Irresistible” and “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On.” All three albums are available for preorder now.
