Torquay, AU | J Wray Records: Torquay’s newest haven for vinyl devotees and local music lovers: If rare finds, local talent, and the timeless allure of vinyl stir something within you, then prepare for a new addition to your cultural radar. Tucked away in the coastal oasis of Torquay, a new destination has emerged – J Wray Records. Owned and curated by local enthusiast Josh Wray, this boutique record store offers a serene escape for vinyl devotees and music lovers alike. With its recent opening over the March long weekend, J Wray Records invites those seeking a haven where the melodies of yesteryear and contemporary tunes harmonise in perfect unison. Originally established online in 2022, Josh Wray’s venture into the world of vinyl commerce gained traction through appearances at Garage Geelong and the Geelong Vintage Market in 2023. Now, in 2024, J Wray Records has taken a physical form, becoming a cornerstone of Torquay’s burgeoning music scene.
Bakery Hill, AU | Store calls out for record spin celebration: The owners of the recently opened Kank Wolverang Records are calling out for people to get involved in an annual disc-flicking occasion.Next month, the shop will be one of many acknowledging Record Store Day on Saturday 20 April, and co-owner Justin Hayward said they’re keen for collectors and traders to get involved. “We’re hoping to get a diverse crew of people interested in selling and buying, and it’ll be a celebratory day,” he said. “We’re after fans of music that would be able to tell you about what they’re buying and selling. “We’re hoping to have live music and DJs throughout the day too, as well as special offers through the shop.” Eight stalls have been booked so far with the capacity for between 12 and 15 traders overall.
Bristol, UK | Record Store Day 2024: A list of some of the best record stores in Bristol: A record store is not just for Record Store Day however… Bristol is home to an array of wonderful places you can visit for all of your record and music needs, including some that have been on our high streets for decades. Ahead of Record Store Day on Saturday, April 20, we want to celebrate some of the independent record shops to support whatever the time of year. Many of them specialise in certain genres of music, certain specialities, host live events—and some even stay well away from Record Store Day completely. Some are located in Bristol’s inner city shopping hotspots, while others are in less central locations that are worth making the journey to. Record stores are often a treasure trove for not only enthusiasts but simply those who love the sound of a record playing their favourite pieces of music, but some are struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Manchester, UK | A spin around Northern Quarter’s newest record shop with a witty name and a treasure trove of vinyl. You’re sure to find some real gems in here. We recently popped our heads into the wittily named Withy Groove Records, the new vinyl exchange and all things music that quietly opened up its doors late last year but is now one of the latest hidden gems in the Northern Quarter. Opening up on the edge of Shudehill on the edge of NQ and just down the road from the Withy Grove Stores buildings (hence the clever little name), the new basement record shop technically began trading in December 2023 but has only just had its front signage completed and the name put above the door. We especially like the new striking Haçienda-inspired lettering, not that we’re biased towards black and yellow logos or anything… But seriously though, this little den of old discs, vintage vinyl and music memorabilia is an absolute must-visit for any audiophiles out there.
Salisbury, UK | Record shop owner selling up to spend more time with the family: The owner of the vinyl shop in the Cross Keys Shopping Centre is selling up after eight years. Paul Smith, 59, of Vinyl Collectors and Sellers wants to the space to remain a record shop. …“We’ve got a grandson now, so it gives me more chance to help out there with my daughter, as and when, because she’s a nurse and she works long hours; sometimes she needs a little bit of extra help and support so I’ll be there to do that. “So, it’s more family time, as well. It’s great to be having a bit more family time now.” Paul first opened the shop in 2016 after years of working in the construction industry. He said: “I just wanted a career change. I’d been involved with the online selling of music since 1998, so it was a natural progression that I had enough stock from that side to open up the shop. It was at the time when Salisbury hadn’t had a record shop for many years.”
Diss, UK | Diss record shop owner, Will Porteous of Wildflower Records in Church Street, brings out first single: A Diss record shop owner has brought out his first solo single. Will Porteous, of Wildflower Records in Church Street, has released indie rock track, Heart of the Nation, on SoundCloud. The 39-year-old multi-instrumentalist recorded it and another yet to be released track at Norwich’s Plug Studios. About the track, which is under his project name of Pharmacists, Will said: “I am really excited, after taking a 10-year break from music to concentrate on family, podcasting, the shop and my book I just thought let’s do it.” The song has had airtime on Amy Lamé’s BBC Radio Six Music show and on Amazing Radio, with Will also got advice on it from his friend Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s guitarist Peter Hayes. He added: “The support has been insane and I cannot thank everyone enough.”
Isle of Wight, UK | Big plans for local music hub plans as record shop expands: A popular Isle of Wight record store has upgraded to a larger shop in Newport, expanding across two floors. There are plans to make AAA Records, at 111-112 St James Street, opposite Wetherspoons, a hub for the Isle of Wight’s music scene. Selling vinyl records and CDs, old and new, posters and even signed albums, the shop will also be hosting regular live music sessions. Courtesy of Cowes’ Medina Books, a plethora of music themed biographies and novels, from punk to folk, can also be found in the shop. AAA Records’ Andy Barding said: “We hope to have a few live events and to expand on what we’re doing. “We want to support and bolster the Isle of Wight music scene and we want to be selling as many Isle of Wight records and CDs as possible, too.”
New York, NY | Rough Trade and Rockefeller Center will present the indieplaza festival: Rough Trade and Rockefeller Center will present the indieplaza festival at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Saturday, April 20th from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The festival celebrates independent music, minds, and merchandise, and will once again welcome indie to midtown Manhattan. Free and open to the public, indieplaza will feature a thoughtfully curated lineup of artists, an artist merchandise booth, arts & crafts booth, food and beverages, and more. This year is headlined by Chicago trio Dehd in advance of their anticipated new album Poetry. indieplaza will also spotlight some of the buzziest, up and coming artists in music today including: Wishy, an Indiana group with a 90s indie rock sound, NYC-based hip-hop duo Armand Hammer, indie/pop band Water From Your Eyes, and more.
San Francisco, CA | The Record Store Exhibition & Opening Reception: Exhibition on view from March 21st – June 1st, 2024; Opening reception Thursday, March 21, 5 – 8pm. Join us for the opening reception of The Record Store at Creativity Explored, a celebration of music in the form of an immersive group show. Enjoy an evening of celebration, community, and connection at the Creativity Explored Studio. The Record Store is a tribute to music and the many ways it intertwines with our lives. We can all relate to music’s ability to transport us somewhere else – to other eras, places, and states of being – and in times of uncertainty and anxiety, we can look to music and musical spaces to remind us of what we have to celebrate. Bringing together work from more than 25 artists, the gallery space at Creativity Explored has been transformed to mirror the aesthetic of a record shop, with artists’ renditions of album covers, tour posters, portraits of musicians and merchandise lining the walls.
