An Open Letter to Record Store Day: We need to talk about your RSD3 mini-turntable and 3” records. …We live in an age where science tells us in simple terms that a rise in greenhouse gas emissions is directly leading to devastation of the climate and a destruction of life on Earth for all species. Science also tells us in equally simple terms that the prime cause of this destruction is not the natural processes which influence climate, but human activities like industrial production and burning of fossil fuels which increase greenhouse gas levels and trap heat in our atmosphere. With this in mind, it seems completely reckless and in disregard for the severity of the impact of increasing greenhouse gas levels for Record Store Day to be pushing and promoting 3” novelty records at this time. …It is impossible to look at the RSD3 3” records as a contribution to art and culture that respects the impact of their production on greenhouse gas levels. Rather, they represent the most heinous type of over-consumption-inducing production that values short term profit over the long term survival of life.
Effingham, IL | America’s Groove Record Store: Another store departs Village Square Mall: With the future of Village Square Mall uncertain, another business owner has closed up shop there. Aaron Wilson is reopening America’s Groove Record Store at 210 N. Banker St. on Saturday, March 7. “I couldn’t have done this without the community,” said Wilson. “I’m looking forward to new customers.” Meanwhile, the mall’s new owners, Durga Property Holdings of Cincinnati appeared in Effingham County Circuit Court on Monday. Effingham City Attorney Tracy Willenborg told the court that when the city inspected the shuttered JCPenney location, officials found extensive damage. Asbestos and structural inspections were done recently, according to Willenborg. Willenborg said that initial plans submitted by the new property owners were not sufficient to address the current issues with the property.
Bangor, ME | New record store opens in downtown, Bangor: In a day and age when it seems like fewer and fewer people are physically buying music, one might ask if opening a record store is worth it. But the Vinyl Canteen, which just opened over the weekend in Bangor, is throwing caution to the wind. And with good reason. In this digital age, CDs aren’t really selling so much. But vinyl albums have seen a huge resurgence in the last decade or so, to the point where record sales are setting up to outpace CD sales. And, they’re not just selling music. As the name implies, they’re getting ready to also serve light fare and coffee as well. And, according to the BDN, they’ll also have new and vintage audio equipment there too. So if you want to start collecting some sweet vinyl, but don’t have anything to play it on, they can help you out with that, too. I know I miss my old Marantz Model 19 more than life itself. The Vinyl Canteen is open seven days a week from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
David Bowie, U2 and Manic Street Preachers confirmed for one-off Record Store Day charity releases: Record Store Day UK has today (March 4) revealed three exclusive, limited-edition releases from David Bowie, U2 and Manic Street Preachers as part of the announcement that War Child has been selected as their official charity partner of 2020. The three special releases will only be available in Record Store Day participating shops on Saturday April 18 with £1 from every unit sold going towards War Child. Proceeds are expected to exceed £10,000. Speaking about War Child in an official press release, Manic Street Preachers said: “We first worked with War Child on the release of the ‘Help’ album in 1995 and are very proud to be associated with them. This 2020 Record Store Day event is sure to be the biggest yet and we are always happy to work with War Child on it.”
Ross Wilson Named As Australian Ambassador For Record Store Day: The internationally celebrated Record Store Day will be back once again on Saturday the 18 April and are excited to announce Ross Wilson as an ambassador for 2020. Legendary Australian singer-songwriter, musician and producer, Ross Wilson is an enduring feature of the music scene. As his publicity says “he can’t make a comeback simply because he’s never been away”. His career has already spanned 40 years and is still going strong. He’s led bands like Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, he’s written iconic Aussie hits like Eagle Rock and A Touch of Paradise, and produced bands like Skyhooks, Jo Jo Zep and The Screaming Jets. What a resumé! “In my youth I became a dedicated vinyl hound,” Ross Wilson said. “Once you start it’s hard to give it up. To wonder at the awesomeness of a needle in a microgroove that somehow becomes full spectrum sound – it is magic. So I am very pleased to have been anointed as one of 2020’s Record Store Day Ambassadors. April 18 is the big day.”
KT Tunstall on the Final Piece to Her Album Trilogy, Touring with Hall & Oates, and Vinyl’s Power: …This is an exciting time for Tunstall. She’s touring with some of her heroes, putting the finishing touches on her home studio, and is set to record the third part of her album trilogy later this fall. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be standing where I’m standing after this amount of time, especially looking at the landscape of what music looks like now,” says Tunstall. “I feel like I kind of caught the tiger’s tail of people buying records in 2004 and 2005, and I’m very grateful for that. I still feel like I have a very album-loving fan base. It’s a very meaningful and emotional way of absorbing music in that way.” Even if they don’t have a record player, fans will often ask Tunstall to sign the actual vinyl. “It’s a piece of art,” she says. “It’s not just a way of listening to music. You’re actually pouring over a piece of art as you listen.” Vinyl is still king for Tunstall. “CDs were always crap,” she says. “They sounded good, but the actual tangible experience of having a CD was not that great. It’s so funny that we have skipped that generation and gone back to the thing that was really awesome.”
Anna Cordell announces Milk! Records in-store concert: Playing songs from ‘Nobody Knows Us.’ Singer-songwriter Anna Cordell has announced a special free all-ages in-store performance at the Milk! Records shop and warehouse in Melbourne later this month. Cordell will perform a solo set of songs from her debut album ‘Nobody Knows Us’, released in February this year. Cordell recorded ‘Nobody Knows Us’ in Lyttleton, New Zealand with producer Ben Edwards, who also played bass on the album. Edwards has recently recorded Aldous Harding, Marlon Williams and Julia Jacklin. The singer-songwriter described the record’s sound to PBS Radio in Melbourne last month. “I love the minor key and unresolved open chords. Writing songs in the minor seems to elicit an unspoken melancholy,” Cordell said. The Milk! Records shop will open at 12pm on Saturday, March 21, with Cordell taking to the stage at 2pm. The event is totally free.
Pink Floyd’s last-ever performance of Arnold Layne set for Record Store Day release: The limited edition 7-inch single will be out on April 18 to mark Record Store Day 2020. Pink Floyd’s last-ever performance of their 1967 debut single Arnold Layne is to be released on 7-inch vinyl for Record Store Day 2020. The single was recorded at the Syd Barrett Tribute Concert – The Madcap’s Last Laugh – at the Barbican in London on May 10, 2007 – the last time David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright performed on stage together. The trio were joined on the night by keyboardist Jon Carin and Oasis and Ride bassist Andy Bell. The 7-inch single is one-sided and features cover art created by long-time Floyd collaborators, photographer Rupert Truman and designer Peter Curzon, both from StormStudios. The design was overseen by Pink Floyd creative director Aubrey Powell. The flip side of the vinyl features an etching of the handcuff cover design, with the single mixed by Damon Iddins.
