Springfield, IL | One for the records: Third-generation downtown business closing its doors April 29: Alison Cox of Springfield admitted she hadn’t been in Recycled Records in years. News of the downtown store’s closing is what brought Cox and her 12-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, in on a recent Saturday afternoon. “Every Saturday (of my college days) was spent here shopping,” Alison Cox said, clutching vinyl records by the Beatles and Tom Petty. “It’s going to be sad when it’s gone.” Gary Kessler, one of its owners, confirmed last week that the iconic downtown store, which has operated in some capacity in the family for 113 years and has become a destination place for record shoppers throughout the Midwest, would shutter for good April 29.
Houston, TX | Shop at These 8 Houston Record Stores for New and Vintage Vinyl: Blues, country, punk rock—Houston is awash in varied vinyl. Blues. Country. Hip hop. Rap. Cumbia. Punk rock. Houston’s music scene is about as diverse as its population, a point our finest local record stores reflect. The city’s top vinyl shops offer a curated megamix of new and vintage music, rocking limited run box sets, albums with special bonus tracks, and all kinds of genres in formats from cassettes and CDs to etched vinyl. Spend some time sifting through the goods to build your collection and find your next musical obsession. Here’s where to find the best Houston record stores for new and vintage vinyl.
Melbourbe, AU | Celebrate at JJ’s Vinyl as Record Store Day turns 16: Exclusive RSD titles, new and used vinyl, discounts and DJ Brett Wolfie; the crate diggers’ favourite day will be a big one this year. Record Store Day turns 16! The annual event traditionally takes place on the third Saturday of April and celebrates the culture of independent record stores worldwide. Thousands of stores take part as collectors try to get their hands on must-have limited edition records that are pressed specifically for RSD and released in different countries. As die-hard vinyl lovers in Melbourne know, JJ’s Vinyl is a gem where you can find new arrivals and classic restocks, along with those quirky, hard-to-find titles you didn’t even know you needed but do. To celebrate the 16th year of RSD, JJ’s will be hosting an in-store event with loads of exclusive RSD titles, stacks of new and used vinyl with some exciting discounts and tunes spinning from DJ Brett Wolfie, care of the Melbourne Record Club.
Bucks County, PA | Record Store Day 2023 is almost here. How to get the most out of it in Bucks County: Small indie record shops everywhere are gearing up for Record Store Day which falls on April 22 this year. The occasion is so coveted by music fans and vinyl collectors looking to get their hands on the rarest and most exclusive vinyl releases, it almost harkens back to the days when folks would line up for hours outside their nearest Ticketron location in hopes of scoring the best concert tickets. Those long lines are a huge part of the experience, said Kevin Sandridge, owner of Positively Records in Levittown. “Everyone who shows up has the same love for music, the same interests, so they start talking about what they’re looking for or what concerts they’ve been to. And it almost becomes this big music lovers’ fest,” he said.
Louisville, KY | How Ben Jones turned his love for music into one of the biggest vinyl music stores in Louisville: When Ben Jones decided to set up Better Days Records in Louisville, Kentucky, during the 80s, he did not expect his influence to sweep the art and music industry; he was simply doing something he was passionate about. His whole life has been about singing; when he mastered the craft of handling microphones, he sang at church and any platform that offered him the opportunity. It was clear after high school that his career choice will be something related to music. Over the years, Ben has become one of the most prominent record owners in the United States, and has been instrumental in preserving the vinyl of African American artists. Better Days Records is known for its vast collection of rare and hard-to-find vinyl records, spanning a variety of musical genres. Jones has always had a passion for music and collecting records, and his collection has grown substantially over the years.
Austin, TX | Austin’s Equipment Room Revives a Century-Old Japanese Bar Concept: The team behind the “hi-fi vinyl sanctuary” chats about what to expect, from the music selection to the cocktail menu. The roots of the “jazz kissa” extend back to 1920s Japan, where they were popular in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. These were gathering spaces where patrons could listen—really listen—to high-fidelity music on good systems, share records and sip drinks. Unsurprisingly, the concept remains popular today, both in Japan and elsewhere. Now you can do that a lot closer to home, thanks to Austin’s Equipment Room. Equipment Room is located inside a former storage space in the basement of Hotel Magdalena—so, a literal equipment room—and sits on the aptly named Music Lane. …“Equipment Room really starts with the music and more specifically the record collection…”
Lars Ulrich Says Metallica Acquiring One of America’s Largest Vinyl-Manufacturing Companies Is ‘A Little Daunting’ In a new interview with BBC News, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich spoke about his band’s decision to buy their own vinyl factory in Virginia. As the sixth biggest-selling artist on vinyl in the U.S. last year, having sold 387,000 records from its back catalog, acquiring the majority interest in Furnace Record Pressing, a leading provider of high-quality vinyl records and related services, will enable Ulrich and his bandmates to meet demand. In order to have enough vinyl ready for the release of their new album 72 Seasons, Metallica had to submit the album six months in advance. All that time, they were faced with the possibility of the music leaking. By purchasing Furnace, which has pressed their discs for the last 15 years, they can reduce those lead times. “It’s a little daunting, but we’re trying to figure out a way to integrate what we’re doing with helping our brothers and sisters in other bands, and making sure the presses keep running towards maximum capacity…”
Lenco lift the lid on their walnut wonder—the LBT-225WA Bluetooth turntable: The Lenco LBT-225WA is the latest addition to the Swiss audio company’s growing range of record players—and it’s available now. Lenco have marked the start of spring by unveiling their brand new Lenco LBT-225WA Bluetooth turntable. It’s the latest entry into the Swiss audio firm’s growing range of record players and joins the likes of the Lenco LBT-188, which sits in our list of the best Bluetooth turntables. The new belt-driven Lenco LBT-225WA has been finished in striking walnut wood while its onboard tech allows you to hook it up your external Bluetooth speakers or Bluetooth headphones. You’ll also be able to transform your vinyl collection into digital files thanks to its USB player with direct encoder to MP3 capabilities. The Lenco LBT-225WA features two speeds: 33 and 45 rpm and also boasts a glass platter for your vinyl to sit on.
