St. Johnsbury, VT | A Creative Economy: Record Shop Means More Positive Spin Downtown: St. Johnsbury is bustling, with another record-breaking year of new businesses opening and exciting events and activities in every season. Much of this bustle seems to be driven by a decidedly creative group of community members. The creative economy–which encompasses economic development activities that include the arts, culture, design, makers, and artisanal products of all kinds–makes up a large proportion of our local economy. …”We offer new and used records of every genre, from punk, hip-hop to jazz, country, rock & roll, and more. We also sell record players, record cleaners, T-shirts, stickers and other fun gifts….Well the beautiful new storefronts on Railroad Street and Eastern Avenue really got me thinking about it, and when I saw the location next to Haven available for lease I just decided to go for it…”
Muncie, IN | Electric Crayon Records opens as a safe space for students and those suffering with addiction in Muncie: Music has been said to bring people of all ages together, and at Electric Crayon Records, it’s no different. The store opened March 11, and within their first week, co-owner Grant Butler said a 14-year-old and a 60-year-old had already come in looking for similar records. Butler, an addictions specialist at IU Health, has been into music since sharing a room with his punk-loving brother as a kid. His brother was a photographer and would take Butler with him to shows. “When you’re a kid, the first medium you’re given is a crayon, pencil and all that stuff, so it’s kind of like that idea to create, there is electricity to it,” Butler said. “It’s kind of like the idea that you’re drawn to create art, whether it’s music or actual, tangible art or literature, any of that kind of stuff. You’re drawn to it.” “…One thing about a record store though…it’s a lot like a DIY pub club where it just kind of breeds community,” he said.
Dover, NJ | Factory Records in Dover offers intimate ‘Up Close and Personal’ series: The Dover vinyl-records store Factory Records is hosting an series of shows titled “Up Close and Personal,” combining performances and conversation by veteran rock and pop performers. Tiffany and bassist Kasim Sulton (who has worked with Todd Rundgren, Meat Loaf and others) have already performed, and upcoming shows will feature: April 7: Singer-songwriter-guitarist Randy Jackson (of Zebra), April 15: Bassist and singer, Joe Bouchard (formerly of Blue Öyster Cult), May 6: Singer and keyboardist Dave Bickler (formerly of Survivor), May 20: Guitarist Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge) All shows will be hosted by comedian Frankie Hudak, and have a capacity of 45 people.
London, UK | Independent record store chain announces partnership with award-winning brewery: Independent record store chain Rough Trade is joining forces with London based brewery Signature Brew. The two-time Brewery of the Year Award winner is now serving beverages exclusively on draught to Rough Trade customers at the record store’s East London, Bristol, and Nottingham locations. A core range of beers will be available in stores, including Signature’s award-winning flagship collection: Studio Lager, Roadie All-Night IPA and Backstage IPA. Rough Trade stores will also stock a selection of canned specials spanning a range of sours and porters and gluten and alcohol-free craft beers. Founded in 2011, Signature Brew often hosts music events at its brewery/ music venue in Blackhorse Road, London. It has also collaborated with music artists and record labels such as IDLES, Big Joanie and Hot Chip. Sam McGregor, founder of Signature Brew, commented: “Rough Trade has always been an inspiration for Signature Brew, from their DIY roots and community-led approach to music, through to putting on incredible gigs in unusual spaces, and providing unforgettable experiences for fans and bands alike.
Oakville, CT | Oakville’s Undergrounds Record Café Offers American Fare and Vinyl Records: Founded by father and son, Dean and Nick Cilfone, the one-of-a-kind Undergrounds Record Café in Oakville offers guests the chance to browse a variety of vinyl records while enjoying elevated, local American fare. Nick, a chef, and Dean, a music and record aficionado, have long wanted to combine their passions into a joint effort. When a space at 206 Main St. became available, the Oakville natives knew they had found the perfect location. Since opening last December, Nick and his team serve up favorites like the Morning Paper, a sausage or bacon, egg and cheese on house-made brioche, and the breakfast burrito from 7 a.m. to noon. From noon to 4 p.m., customers can choose from a variety of fine handhelds, unique sandwiches such as the house-made duck pastrami and hot honey chicken with house pickles, served on house-made bread. Soups, salads, wraps and tacos are also on offer.
Halifax, CA | Vinyl record revival amplifies Halifax music scene: For the first time since 1987, vinyl albums outsold CDs according to U.S. sales numbers. With vinyl a celebrated part of hip hop culture, Halifax rapper Tachichi has always put out his music on records, but he’s noticed more people switching to the retro format over the past few years. “I love it because I love vinyl,” he said. “When people first started loving hip hop back in the ’80s, they started with vinyl.” At the beginning of his career in the late 1990s, fans were buying vinyl albums at his shows before that slowed through the early 2000s when CDs took over. “It was just easier, they were easier to manufacture and way cheaper,” he said. “It was CDs for that stint.” During that time he was only doing special order pressings of vinyl but now it’s turned around. Records are trendy again and those are mostly what fans are buying when he plays live.
Pittsburgh, PA | Record Shop Releases Attack Dogs Whenever Customer Looks Up Discogs Prices In Store: Owner of the Sound Spynners record shop Dale Randly once again released a pack of vicious dogs on shoppers who compared their prices to Discogs in order to potentially flip them for a profit, several chewed-up sources report. “One would think that the price of feeding and all the responsibilities of keeping a pack of giant, blood-thirsty dogs would be burdensome, but whenever I see the look of terror in the eyes of would-be record flippers, it’s all worth it,” Randly explained while mopping up drops of blood in front of his store’s new arrivals section. “Sure, if you’re only looking up a price on Discogs or eBay to see if you can get a cheaper copy, by all means, go ahead! But just think to yourself, ‘what is my time worth?’ and ‘how good is my insurance anyway?’ Just be aware that once you hear those vicious barks, you’re basically toast already.” David Grunwald was shopping at Sound Spynners when he dared to quickly glance at his phone after noticing all the rare punk records that had just come in the store.
