UK | Vinyl records return to UK inflation basket for first time since 1992: Strong sales of Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) help format make an impact, as air fryers also join list. Not since Simply Red’s album Stars topped the albums chart in 1992 have vinyl records been included in the basket of goods used to calculate annual inflation, but a rise in sales over recent years has brought them back as a marker of UK shop prices. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the “resurgence of popularity” in vinyl records meant they should be included among the 744 items used to calculate inflation each month, in its latest annual shake-up of the basket. Sales of vinyl were given an extra push in the UK last year by Taylor Swift’s album 1989 (Taylor’s version), which was the biggest-selling vinyl record, while the Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds ranked as the highest-selling vinyl record by a British artist.
RI | 7 Local Record Stores to Lend an Ear: Record stores—a reminder of the slower pace of times past—are experiencing a resurgence with new generations of vinyl enthusiasts. From vinyl records to CDs, cassettes, band merch and more, record stores in Rhode Island are teeming with vintage finds and unique collectibles. While online streaming services provide our favorite tunes at our fingertips, the experience of visiting a record store is about more than just the music—it offers a sanctuary and a sense of community for music lovers. Here are some of our favorites from around the state. Analog Underground: This record store lives up to its analog namesake—the music playing throughout the store comes directly from a record player and the walls are lined with vintage vinyl and cassette tapes. Owner Dave Lifrieri frequented record stores as a child and wanted to create the same community atmosphere when he opened his store in 2010…
Portland, OR | Owner of North Portland record store helps arrest burglar who hit shop twice: The owner of Vinyl Resting Place jumped in a car with another local business owner and followed the burglar. Vinyl Resting Place was broken into twice in the span of a few days. The owner said it was the same burglar who did it both times and he helped take them into custody. The first burglary happened early Thursday morning. Steve Cook, who owns the North Portland record store, got a call that his front door was shattered. “The front door was busted out,” Cook said. “I could tell the (point of sale) system had been yanked out.” Cook said the burglar walked away with the cash register and all the money that was inside. He estimates it was about $5,000 dollars. “That wasn’t even my money,” Cook said. “I had sold that stuff on consignment for somebody else, which was the hard part, telling them, not only was I burglarized but I lost your money.”
Rio de Janeiro, BR | Rio’s Best Party Happens Once a Month at This Tiny Record Store: Vinil do Mustafa is a treasure trove of 1970s Tropicalía music. …Before Mustafa inhabited his current digs, he kept a shop nearby in the same neighborhood—a subterranean space that turned into an exclusive club every Thursday night. After the pandemic, however, the owner “wanted to see the sky.” In his new location, Mustafa boasts an impressive collection of everything you might expect, but he doesn’t say no to the odd ‘90s hip-hop album or movie soundtrack. It’s more important for the owner to keep his collection tight than to be picky about genre. “I don’t want to sell records in bulk,” he says. “I don’t want to have thousands of records, where you step into the store and you can’t find what you’re looking for.” Instead, he carefully curates his selection, some of which he sells on the cheap, though especially rare titles can bring in much more. “I’m aiming for all kinds of crowds,” he says.
Missoula, MT | Iconic Rockin Rudy’s opens new Missoula location: Rockin Rudy’s has opened a new store for the thousands of collectible items that haven’t been public for years. When you think of Missoula, the Griz might be the first thing to come to mind or the Clark Fork River. But for those who love the arts and music community, Rockin Rudys serves as a place for collectors, music lovers and art lovers alike. Rockin Rudys recently expanded to a new store “Rockin Rudy’s Attic” which is located by the Missoula International School. It’s a place for all of the other items that have been collected over the years to be enjoyed by customers. The manager of the new location, Jayson Schultz, says that this location gives back to those who maybe want a momento of an event or concert that they went to in their lifetime. “Well, I think at some point for most collectors, you’ve just collected so much, then you get to a point where like, what am I going to do with this?
Stroud, UK | 37 pictures as Stroud bids fond farewell to much-loved trader after two decades: A Stroud trader bade an emotional farewell after more than 20 years at the helm of a record shop. The Trading Post Records – currently based in Kendrick Street – has been part of the town’s fabric for almost fifty years. For 23 of those, the independent record shop which sells records, CDs and DVDS, has been owned by Simon Vincent, who bought the Post in 2001 from Jo Walters, the original owner who established the shop back in 1977. Having decided to call it a day last month, Simon has been thanking the Stroud community for their support over the years. The store closed on Saturday, but not before friends turned up to give Simon an emotional send-off. Simon has now thanked those who turned up on Saturday, saying it meant the world to him. He said: “It was amazing to see so many wonderful people on Saturday to give the Trading Post such a great send off.”
Fort Wayne, IN | Wooden Nickel Record’s founder celebrates retirement: Bob Roets the founder of Wooden Nickel Records is retiring. Several of his friends are hosting a Bobfest, celebrating a career spanning more than four decades. The event is set for March 15 at the Baker Street Centre, 323 W Baker St., (formerly C2G Music Hall). The fun begins at 7 p.m. According to Roets, 65, several longtime friends, including former Whatzup owner, Doug Driscoll; Doc West, and J.J. Fabini both from 96.3XKE; and Julia Meek, from WBOI, put together a committee to celebrate Roets’ retirement. Bobfest was the result of that collaboration. “I am actually quite honored they would go through the trouble of putting all this together for me. It is pretty cool,” Roets said. During the Bobfest event some of Bob’s favorite local musicians are expected to perform. They include The High Freqs; Sunny Taylor and Alicia Pyle, who are performing together; U.R.B., Kenny Taylor, and The Legendary Trainhoppers.
New Brighton, UK | Rockpoint Records celebrating fifth birthday: Rockpoint Records in New Brighton has been a go-to destination for music lovers since its doors opened in 2019. With its stripped-back brick walls, retro decor, great playlist, live music, record store, tattoo parlour, barbers, cocktail lounge and secret courtyard, it has established itself as one of the coolest bars in Wirral. It is one of the key businesses owned by Rockpoint Leisure, who have transformed the area with street art and independents. Many great nights have been had at the venue, such as the epic gig from local band The Mysterines (two of whom have worked there), and countless top local artists have performed there. As the venue celebrates its fifth year spearheading ‘The Victoria Quarter’, it has now added woodfired pizzas from Hella Dough and a pool table to its list of reasons to visit.
UK | PMC invests in plant-based vinyl for a more eco-friendly record production future: Vinyl goes green thanks to PMC and Evolution Music Ltd. Eco-friendly hi-fi and audio solutions are becoming increasingly popular as concerns about the climate crisis continue to rise apace, and while there’s certainly more that brands could be doing collectively, many are now stepping in the right direction. One company looking to play its part in the fight against environmental collapse is PMC, with the British brand recently announcing its backing of the production of a more sustainable vinyl alternative. PMC has invested in a brand named Evolution Music Ltd., a fellow UK-based concern which is behind the development of “Evovinyl”, a plant-based alternative to the more environmentally harmful PVC material used to make the majority of vinyl records. Disc International estimates that global record production accounts for roughly 30,000 tonnes of PVC every year, and considering that Greenpeace regards it as the most damaging plastic out there, this could be the unforeseen downside of resurging vinyl sales.
