Hattiesburg, MS | Album Listening Parties Boost Sales at Indie Record Stores: With vinyl’s resurgence among teens and young adults, independent record stores have experienced a boost in sales. However, these stores continue to struggle to compete with the convenience and selection offered by big-box retailers, which often stock the popular new albums that younger audiences seek. To support independent stores, record labels are now hosting exclusive album listening parties at local shops to drive more foot traffic. Record stores can sign up to receive promotional materials and host listening events for newly released albums. Typically held on the release date, these events feature the full album being played in-store, with fans invited to purchase exclusive products, receive freebies, and enter contests to win prizes, such as signed albums or merchandise.
Mt. Airy, PA | Mt. Airy’s vinyl haven curates Black culture: When you walk into SOOK Vinyl & Vintage in Mt. Airy, you’re stepping into more than Philadelphia’s only Black-owned record store. You’re entering a vibrant time capsule of cultural history. The shop at 7169 Germantown Ave. (whose entrance is actually on Mt. Airy Avenue) is a modern take on Dickens’s “The Old Curiosity Shop.” Every inch of space is chockablock with treasures: more than 7,000 vinyl records spanning 33s, 45s, and even 78 RPMs, alongside vintage CDs, VCR tapes, antique toys, paintings, clothing, books, photos, figurines, and cultural artifacts of every conceivable variety. Proprietor Rashied Amon proudly displays a 45-RPM record on Utopia Records featuring Howard Tate singing “You’re Looking Good” and “Half-a-Man.” His eyes light up as he reveals, “This is one of only two in existence. The other one is in Japan.”
Monmouth, UK | BBC radio presenter and rapper collaborate to open record store in Monmouth: Graham Taylor and Gary Raymond, inspired by their love for music, have opened Grinning Soul Records, a new record shop in Monmouth. Graham Taylor, otherwise known as Graham the Bear from Goldie Lookin’ chain, and BBC broadcast presenter and author Gary Raymond have shared their love of music by opening a new record shop, Grinning Soul Records in Monmouth. The shop sits alongside other long established businesses in the town’s White Swan Court and opened late last year. The owners have been friends since they were at school together in Newport and last year decided to begin a new adventure by opening their very own record shop and putting their passion for the music industry into a career they both enjoy. Graham told the Monmouthshire Beacon: “The welcome in Monmouth was lovely.”
Long Beach, CA | The record store that launched Snoop Dogg wants to become a museum. Can it happen? In his 53 years behind the counter at VIP Records, Kelvin Anderson has watched the natural progression of West Coast music — in style and format — change over the decades. It’s a rich history he has wanted, for years, to showcase in a museum. And where better than in Long Beach, at his shop, which played a pivotal role in hip-hop’s entrance into American art and culture? On Tuesday, Anderson and his family pitched his vision to civic leaders, artists and friends to purchase the lot where his record store sits and convert it into a museum with food and live entertainment. …The event, organized by the nonprofit Creative Class Collective, is part of a yearslong effort to convert the space, and it comes as the World Famous VIP Records sign is set to be restored across the street as a historical landmark.
UK | Record Store Day reveal 2025 releases raising money for War Child—with The Cure, Chvrches, Sugababes and more: £1 from every sale will be donated to the non-profit organisation. Record Store Day has shared a number of releases that are coming for the 2025 edition, and are set to raise funds for the War Child charity. The new announcement was shared this morning (March 26), and features 13 titles that have been specially created for this year’s edition of RSD. They come as part of a partnership with War Child, and will see £1 from every copy sold donated to the non-profit organisation. Funds raised will help to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living in areas of conflict around the world. New releases include a 40th-anniversary edition of The Cure’s sixth studio album, 1985’s ‘The Head On The Door’, a deluxe version of The Charlatan’s ‘Wonderland Album’, and a new edition of Frank Turner’s ‘Positive Songs For Negative People.’
Santa Rosa, CA | Three stores for physical media surrounding SRJC: With the advent of digital streaming it’s easier than ever to discover new music basically for free. However, flipping through records and CDs in a local store brings a new level of engagement and interactivity that any music lover can appreciate. Here are three great stores to get your hands on physical media in the Santa Rosa Rosa area. They aren’t the only local spots to shop for music, but they’re a solid place to start. Well known by Santa Rosa Junior College students, The Next Record Store has been a staple of Mendocino Avenue for more than 40 years and is a quintessential locale for anybody fond of physical media. It carries an extensive catalog of music across all genres, formats and eras. Separated from the genre-divided rows of inventory, The Next Record Store’s discount section offers an affordable free-for-all for shoppers on a budget.
UK | The Scottish record shops dubbed ‘world’s greatest.’ Two record shops in Scotland recently featured on the Financial Times “world’s greatest record stores” list. Thorne Records in Edinburgh and Assai Records in Dundee were listed among shops located across the world—from North America to Australia. Gary Moore, manager of Assai Records, said that they try to mix it up as much as they can and get involved in all aspects of music in Dundee. Owner of Thorne Records, Mark Thorne, said that connecting with the community around him is what makes his shop unique. But what is it that makes vinyl records so popular? Gary says streaming may feel too easy—leading people to collect again, while Mark feels the opportunity to slow down with the music makes the experience more fulfilling.
Before Podcasts: The Fascinating World of Educational Vinyl Records. Long before podcasts became our main way to get information and have fun, there was another way to listen to people talk about science, history, and culture—vinyl records. Although people tend to connect records with music, there were verbal LPs during the middle of the 20th century that were similar to today’s podcasts. These albums covered almost everything from clear and simple scientific explanations to historical speeches, which were delivered by experts, broadcasters, and even Hollywood voices. If you want to experience how the world discovered and explored space, or how television and broadcasting were invented, these records are fantastic. Let’s now look at some of the best educational vinyl records of the past.
Benton Harbor, MI | Record show back for another spin in Benton Harbor: The Southwest Michigan Record Show will return to Benton Harbor on Saturday at Grand Upton Hall at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees have the option of early entry at 8:30 a.m. for $5 per person, while admission is free during the event’s regular hours. Organizers say there will be music vendors from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and more. There will be over 50 tables with thousands of music items, including pre-owned LPs, new LPs, 45s, CDs, cassettes, record supplies, and more. …”Whether you are new to vinyl or have been collecting for decades, you will feel right at home at this event. We are all music fans. Our vendors get as excited as the customers when they find a record they’ve been searching for or discover music they didn’t even know they needed. For us, that’s the best feeling.”
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