UK | Generation Z is Driving Vinyl & CD Sales: Why This is Great News for Music Fans. For years, many of us wondered whether physical music—vinyl records, CDs, even cassettes—would slowly fade away, replaced entirely by streaming. But according to a new report from Music Week and the Vinyl Alliance, something incredible is happening: Generation Z is now the driving force behind the resurgence of vinyl and CDs. Yes, the same generation that grew up in a digital world, surrounded by streaming services and instant access to music, is now choosing physical formats in increasing numbers. This is something to celebrate—not just for the music industry, but for the sense of community and connection that comes with collecting physical music. Let’s take a closer look at the report and what this means for music lovers of all ages.
US | Vinyl record sales continue to rise amid music streaming’s dominance: The RIAA says vinyl revenue hit $1.4 billion in the US last year, the highest figure in four decades. Despite streaming services continuing to dominate the business of recorded music, there’s still very much a place for physical media in that sector. The Recording Industry of America said in an annual report [PDF] that sales of vinyl records rose for the 18th straight year in the US to $1.4 billion—the highest revenue for that format since 1984, when CDs started to emerge. …Many fans prefer to own physical copies of music for many reasons, such as their belief that vinyl offers better audio quality and an all-round superior listening experience to streaming services, as well as a way to perhaps better support artists.
UK | New documentary explores impact of record shops that specialise in Black music: The documentary will feature appearances from Jazzie B, Trevor Nelson MBE, DJ Rap and many more. …The Record Store & Black Music: England’s Tastemakers documentary features appearances from Jazzie B, Trevor Nelson MBE, Marcia Carr, Claudia Wilson, Ammo Talwar MBE, DJ SS, DJ Rap, DJ Spoony, Wookie, Jeff Smith, Simon Dunmore and Carol Leeming MBE. Made with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the documentary and website are a collaboration between Leicester’s 2Funky Arts alongside London’s Sound/Image Research Centre (University of Greenwich) and Manchester’s Brighter Sound and music:defined. “This film and website are the culmination of research from across the South, North and Midlands,” says Vijay Mistry. “It’s a unique opportunity to experience this aspect of Black history in all its vibrancy.”
Salina, KS | Gryphon’s Wing Records Ready to Open: A new record store about to open is the result of a Salina couple’s hard work, and love of music. Jonathan Hess and Olivia Hamilton Saturday will open the doors for the first time to Gryphon’s Wing Records in Downtown Salina. Jonathan tells KSAL News he has had a love of music his whole life. He played in the orchestra in elementary school, and jazz band in high school. In high school he started working at Acoustic Sounds in Salina, a world leader in audiophile music. He started in the pressing plant, later worked in the warehouse, and he currently manages the vinyl vault, which is the pre-owned section. Jonathan says while there is an online market for vinyl, there is also opportunity for vinyl sales in a brick and mortar store. He believes the music sales market in Salina right now is untapped, and he’s excited to be come part of downtown.
New York, NY | The Hives, Scowl, clipping. & more playing free NYC Record Store Day fest Indieplaza: Rough Trade and Rockefeller Center are one again hosting a free outdoor festival, Indieplaza, on Record Store Day (April 12). They’ve announced this year’s lineup, which includes The Hives, Scowl, clipping., Pachyman, Zsela, Lifeguard, Slippers, and DJ sets by Chanel Beads, Yuno, Confines, and Ohaileigh. It’s free and open to the public, and performances begin in the plaza at 12 PM. See the flyer below, and RSVP here. Rough Trade, which is opening a second location below its current 30 Rock location, will open for Record Store Day shopping at 9 AM. See all of this year’s exclusive releases here. Scowl just played an intimate NJ show with Model/Actriz, and their new album Are We All Angels is out not long before this show, on April 4.
Vancouver, CA | Rare and valuable Beatles recording turns up in Vancouver record store: Jack Herschorn said he got the tape in London “in 1968 or 1969” from a “well-known record producer” who he declines to name. A few years ago, Rob Frith of Neptoon Records bought a reel-to-reel tape labelled “Beatles demo.” But he didn’t bother to actually listen to it. He just assumed someone had put a Beatles bootleg on the tape. “I’ve had that Beatles thing sitting at the store for years,” said Frith, one of Vancouver’s biggest record and poster collectors. Last week, he was transferring some tapes at broadcaster Larry Hennessey’s recording studio and brought along the Beatles tape. Late in the evening, they put it on. “All of a sudden, it was like the Beatles are in the room playing,” he said, a sense of astonishment still in his voice. “The quality was that good.” Turns out, it really was a Beatles demo — a legendary session they recorded on Jan. 1, 1962, for Decca Records. Decca rejected the band, which is arguably the biggest mistake in music history.
UK | It’s the vinyl countdown to Record Store Day: DEYA Brewing Co is releasing a special edition pale ale to celebrate this year’s Record Store Day, which takes place on 12th April. The pale ale is a vibrant, easy-drinking brew at 4% ABV. Striking the perfect balance of juicy hop character and a smooth, hazy body, it’s crafted to be the ideal companion for a day of crate-digging and music discovery. The can design pays homage to Record Store Day with a cartoon-style illustration of a queue outside a record shop, capturing the excitement of the annual celebration. The brew will be available exclusively at DEYA’s Taproom, on their website and at selected independent record stores across the UK. For those looking to soak up the full experience, DEYA will also be hosting an official Record Store Day afterparty at their Taproom on April 12th, promising a blend of music, community, and fresh pours.
West Columbia, SC | Ikie Lu Record Club will bring vinyl listening, wine and classic cocktails to West Columbia: In a former Spanish-language church tucked off of Sunset Boulevard, Matt Catchpole wants to introduce West Columbia to jazz kissa. The concept is a Japanese one that’s spread across the world, and puts an emphasis on creating a cocktail or wine lounge aimed at listening and appreciating jazz recordings. At Catchpole’s soon-to-be-opened restaurant on Lucas Street, the focus will be on vinyl records, filtered through a high-fidelity sound system to various seating areas across the midcentury-inspired space. …”We are trying to do something that doesn’t exist in the Columbia area,” he told Free Times, “so it’s a little hard to explain.” Ikie Lu Record Club is the culmination of years of planning and dreaming from Catchpole.
UK | The Great Vinyl Record Buying Swindle (unexpurgated version): …Before I continue let me just advise all our readers that, for the purposes of this blog, there won’t be the usual appreciative assessments from me. A point has now been reached (i.e. the last 5 years at the very least) and a line has been crossed. With less than four weeks to go before that annual festival/circus/ritual* (*delete as appropriate) that is Record Store Day (12th April for those who keep tabs in their diary), now seems an ideal time to take a look at some of the downsides of today’s almost fetishistic obsession with all things vinyl in all its colour permutations, and in turn provide a far more critical analysis of the current parlous state of the market/industry.
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