AU | Record Store Day Australia Unveils Stacked 2024 Local Release List: The Wiggles, Montaigne, Tasman Keith, and The Terrys. Following the success of last year’s event, where Aussie vinyl aficionados scrambled to get their hands on exclusive releases from Peking Duk, Ball Park Music, and more, this years Record Store Day promises to be even bigger. Set for Saturday, April 20th, Record Store Day 2024 is gearing up to celebrate the best of Aussie music with a lineup that reads like a who’s who of homegrown talent. From beloved icons like Dorothy the Dinosaur and The Wiggles to the new kids leading the pack, The Terrys, Montaigne, and Tasman Keith, the roster is busting at the gut with talent. But that’s not all! A special double LP compilation titled “Time Capsule: Australian Sounds 1985-1994” features the likes of Died Pretty, GOD, Magic Dirt, and more, offering a nostalgic journey through Australia’s musical history.
Northfield, MN | Vintage record store opens in downtown Northfield: Whenever customers walk into Verbena Vinyl, they’d better have enough time to browse the record crates, sit and listen to some tracks and banter about recordings and concerts with owner Victoria “Vicki” Scott. Scott, who opened the vintage record store at 419 Division St. S. in early January, said she’s pleased that Northfield once again has a record store downtown. Before the pandemic, the city, home to around 5,000 college students nine months of the year, had always supported a couple of independent record stores. “Currently, I’m it,” said Scott. “Except, of course, for some of the antique stores that sell old records and album covers.” In her two months of business, Scott said the weekday traffic has been a bit slow, but the weekend shoppers have more than made up for that. “I love that Northfield has a record store again,” said Katie Kes-Pick, a Northfield customer. “I’ve always had a small collection of vinyl that is now growing again.”
Glasgow, UK | Record shops of Glasgow: Remembering 8 of Glasgow’s lost record stores including Tower Records and Listen: Glasgow was recognised as the first UNESCO City of Music in 2008, with it having a vibrant music scene spread across the city which caters for anyone. A number of huge acts have been born in Glasgow with it being very little surprise that the city had some of the finest record shops going, throughout the decades. Bands such as Simple Minds, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand have all emerged from the Glasgow music scene with labels such as Alan Horne’s Postcard Records and Creation becoming legendary and writing their place in history. There has always been a desire in Glasgow for ‘new’ music as we continually search for tunes and artists that we are yet to fall in love with with some acts even giving performances at some of these locations or heading in for a browse themselves.
Minneapolis, MN | Lakota vinyl collector revitalizes Indigenous music, language one record at a time: Justis Brokenrope has collected vinyl by Native musicians for the past decade. Now he shares that music with the digital world. “You can listen to music nowadays without ever touching a CD, a record, or a tape,” said Brokenrope, who is Sicangu Lakota. “It’s just so digital and ubiquitous all the time. But to hold the physical thing and then to see yourself represented in that, and to see your community, your people, your family represented in that, I think that’s just so important for us.” A self-described shaggy-haired kid, Justis Brokenrope started collecting vinyl records near his hometown in rural Nebraska. As a young musician, he played in punk and metal bands touring the U.S. and Europe. He was in a record store in Providence, R.I., about ten years ago where he found a compilation record consisting of Indigenous North American music, and inspiration struck.
Cinderford, UK | End of track for Cinderford record store: The Forest’s leading vinyl record store is to close for good, the family of its founder has confirmed following his death last year. Forest Vinyl, based in Foxes Bridge Road, Cinderford, closed its doors in November last year following the death of Steve Helsdown, who had run the what started as a hobby business in 2014. Steve died unexpectedly at the age of 66, leaving the company without any directors and as a result banking facilities were frozen. That resulted in his family being unable to process purchases or complete any financial transactions, leaving them with no option, but to close the shop. In a heart-felt message on social media last week, his wife Annie said: “I cannot express how sorry I am to tell you that Forest Vinyl will not be opening its doors again. …“What happened could never have been predicted. Steve found so many others, like himself, passionate about vinyl. Customers became friends, good friends, and his life was completely turned around. People visited from all over the world, having heard from a friend of Forest Vinyl.”
Petaluma, CA | Rain Dog Records takes step forward as super-cool performance venue: Petaluma’s Rain Dog Records is making the big move to being a record store by day and (occasionally) a concert venue by night. There’s something undeniably right about a vinyl record store hosting rock ‘n roll concerts and comedy shows after hours. Petaluma’s Rain Dog Records (1010 Petaluma Blvd North, next door to Lucky’s Grocery Store) is making the big move to being a record store by day and (occasionally) a concert venue by night. Under the label Live at Rain Dog, the first show will take place on Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. Headlining the three-hour event is the Berkeley rock band Accidents at Sundown, with opening acts The Fizz Fuzz and Here Comes the Comet. The cover is $10. On Saturday, April 6, 7 p.m, it’s a night of heavy metal with Rail Rage, Thrashic Park and Cirkus. This is also a $10 cover. But it’s not just touring bands that Rain Dog will be welcoming under its Live at Rain Dog umbrella.
Oakville, ON | Closing: Used record store in Oakville set to shutter shop: The best place in Oakville for vintage vinyl, classic video games and rare collectibles will soon be shutting its doors for good. The Beat Goes On used music store, which has been around since the early 1990s, announced yesterday they’ll be closing up shop in less than two weeks. “We have made the difficult decision to close our Oakville location at the end of its current lease. Thank you to the many staff and customers who have supported us at that location for decades,” reads the message on both the company website and its Facebook page. “The store will remain open until March 24 to give customers the opportunity to stop in and visit, as well as pick up any orders they may have in the shop. During this time, we will be offering 15 per cent off all used CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays at this location only.
Dallas, TX | Slow and Steady Coffee in South Dallas Channels Good Coffee and Music: This new coffee shop is part of a burgeoning scene in the Elmwood neighborhood. At the corner of Edgefield and Tennessee avenues in the Elmwood neighborhood of Oak Cliff sits a black coffeehouse surrounded by residences. German Sierra, the owner of Slow and Steady Coffee, worked on getting the hospitable coffeehouse ready for years before opening to the public a few months ago. “When I faced the obstacles that delayed the opening of the shop, it inspired the shop name,” he says. “Sometimes you just have to be patient but remain focused and resilient on the goal you’ve set for yourself.” …Entering Slow and Steady, your eyes will likely gravitate toward a record player sitting on a shelf next to a collection of vinyl records by artists such as Bob Marley, Radiohead and The Beatles. It feels like stepping into someone’s living room.
Athens, GA | The Secret Record Swap: Shop 20+ tables of vinyl, CDs, cassettes and music memorabilia at Athentic Brewing Co! There’ll also be live music, food and great beer. Early bird admission at 11 AM for $5 with free entry at Noon! Saturday, March 23rd, dealers from all over the state and beyond will be at Athentic Brewing Co. for the Secret Record Swap. They’ll be offering thousands of vinyl LPs, 12″ records, 45s, CDs, cassettes and music memorabilia for sale or trade. Rock, Jazz, Soul, Pop, Country and much more will be available. The Swap starts at 11 AM with early bird admission for $5 then free admission at Noon. In addition to the great beer, there’ll be a food vendor as well as a performance by Chrome Castle at 3. Don’t miss it!
