10 essential Record Store Day 2022 releases: Record Store Day 2022 is fast approaching as we zip through what has been a rollercoaster start to the year. Since the event’s inception in 2007, the annual tradition has taken place on one Saturday of each April, with an additional event taking place in November for Black Friday. The organisation intends to “celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store.” The event sees music fans and artists alike entering thousands of independent record shops worldwide for sale events that regularly welcome live performances, signing sessions and a range of fundraising activities.
Denver, CO | Denver Institution Twist & Shout Sold to Longtime Manager: Twist & Shout isn’t just one of the best record stores in Denver. It’s among the finest in the entire country — a glorious haven for music lovers of every generation. And it’s just been sold. Don’t panic, though. Yes, Paul and Jill Epstein, who have owned and operated Twist & Shout through three incarnations (the most recent at 2508 East Colfax Avenue) for the past 33 years, are retiring. But they’re handing over the reins to Patrick Brown, who’s managed the iconic business for the majority of that time. Just as important, Brown’s concept is more about building on an established legacy as opposed to fixing what isn’t broken. When asked how important it was for him to sell to a member of the Twist & Shout family as opposed to fishing for the highest offer from a big-bucks investor, Paul Epstein responds with a single word—“Huge”— before enthusiastically adding plenty more.
York, UK | York Record Fair at York Racecourse in Knavesmire Stand: A new fair is set to take place in York next month. York Record Fair is set to take place on Saturday, April 2 from 10am – 5pm. Organisers say it’s the first record fair to be held at York Racecourse and will take place in the Knavesmire Stand. Up to 50 record sellers from all over the UK will bring with them a huge selection of vinyl records of all genres. There will also be some CDs, 78s, music-related books, ephemera & posters. From Abba to Zappa, there will be something for everyone, with many rare collectables and lots of bargains. In addition to sought after first pressings from yesteryear, there will be recent releases of current music. Some stalls will specialise in particular types of music and others will have a wide range. Originally planned for 2020, the event was delayed because of Covid restrictions. The fair organiser, said: “After a difficult couple years, it will be great to see the fair actually happen.
Bristol, CT | Record Riot! shows come to Plainville VFW: The Verlaines’ “Doomsday” was among Ian Schlein’s own personal finds inside the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 574 Sunday. Record Show Mania brought one of its popular Record Riot! events to the VFW on Northwest Drive, where the company has plans to host more vinyl shows later on this year. “We have a pretty decent turnout for a first-time show,” said Schlein, one of about 25 vendors who set up shop there for the day. Not only did he offer patrons a wide variety of records from his Vernon store, Records The Good Kind, but Schlein also did some digging of his own while on the premises. “Post-punk and indie-pop are my first loves,” he pointed out, flipping through some newly-acquired vinyls in a cardboard box beside his chair. Deb Dasgupta, also from Vernon, had a Cat Stevens record under his arm as he sorted through a box of other folk music. “It’s very good; I got a lot of items,” Dasgupta said of the show. “I listen to every kind of music.”
Gost Zvuk releases charity compilation to support Ukraine, STOP THE WAR! Featuring Perila, Nikolay Kozlov, Shine Grooves, Vlad Dobrovolski, KP Transmission, Ivan Yerofeev, and more. Gost Zvuk has released a new compilation in support of Ukraine, called STOP THE WAR!. “War is a crime against humanity. We stand with the people of Ukraine and demand an immediate end to war. We condemn the actions of the Russian government,” shares the label. All proceeds from the compilation will be donated to humanitarian aid, helping Ukrainians in need. STOP THE WAR! includes music from artists including Perila, Nikolay Kozlov, Shine Grooves, Vlad Dobrovolski, Stas Karpenkov, Mujuice, KP Transmission, and Margenrot.
