Oslo, NO | Neseblod Records Reopens After Fire: “We have emptied the basement and will renovate it as soon as possible, so only the top floor will be available for now.” Neseblod Records—formerly the Helvete record store (the one with the “Black Metal” basement that everyone takes a picture at)—recently suffered a fire in their basement. While Neseblod Records continues to recover, shop owners have taken to Instagram to note that they’re back open and they’re working on renovating the basement. “The shop is finally open!!” wrote Neseblod Records on Instagram. “We have emptied the basement and will renovate it as soon as possible, so only the top floor will be available for now. Thanks to all of you who have helped out, both physically and by donations. You have been a massive help and we can’t express how much we appreciate each and every one of you.”
Riverina, AU | Nick mixes Vino & Vinyl to create a setlist for success in the Riverina: Wagga entrepreneur Nick Stanbury has the unique privilege of doing something he loves for a living through his business Vino & Vinyl. “I guess it’s the coming together of two big passions of mine—being great music and wine,” he explained. “I’ve found that they work really well hand in hand because you’re combining two great things that make you feel good.” Nick’s unique business offers two distinct services leveraging his expertise and experience in the wine trade and his passion for music and classic records. “My parents used to play a lot of music around the house and I was pretty heavily influenced by their tastes,” he reflected. “My dad in particular brought me up on a lot of Motown and soul, disco and funk as well as all the classic ‘yacht rock’ like your Steely Dans, Doobie Brothers and then the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.”
UK | The art of pressing and the future of vinyl: An open discussion on vinyl and creativity at The Vinyl Factory pressing plant. In late April, writer, DJ, producer and co-founder of record label Butterz, Elijah, teamed up with Vinyl Alliance to lead a group of multi-disciplinary artists around The Vinyl Factory pressing plant to grant them a greater insight into the vinyl manufacturing process and uncover how a deeper understanding of vinyl could enhance their creative practice. The group, made up of TIGRIS, David Chen, Tash LC, Adam 1Up, Charisse C, Damsel Elysium, Kirrolus, Yaw Evans and Eugene Angelo, embarked upon an open discussion after seeing the vinyl-making process which further demystified the industry and explored how each individual, from their varied perspectives, could engage creatively with the format. Below is an outline of the discussion, featuring contributions from Elijah, The Vinyl Factory’s Adam Teskey and Audio Technica’s Edward Forth.
Kuala Lumpur, ML | Analogue Crafts: Veteran DJ Bryan Burger Is Turning the Tables: DJing has been Tan Kok Seong’s passion since the late nineties, but for him, this art isn’t just about mixers and CDJs. In fact, he advocates the use of vinyl, and he believes that every DJ needs to have this analogue skillset under their belt. Tan, who goes by the stage name Bryan Burger, says: “This is an ode to professional DJ culture in general. Without this knowledge, there is no proper understanding of the art.” And Bryan Burger knows a thing or two about vinyls, because that was his entry point into the world of DJing. And he’s never let go of the medium since. As someone who teaches DJing, Burger knows that both the digital and analogue mediums are here to stay, and they both complement each other, but for him, there’s a soul that comes with vinyl. “Yes, it’s heavier to lug around a few carts of discs around,” Bryan Burger says. “Especially if you’re travelling. And yes, it could be a costly pursuit when each single can cost MYR 50. But the sound is warmer…”
Worcester, MA | Variety and volunteers keep Central Massachusetts community radio station running strong: Depending on when you tune in, the station could be playing polka, soul, African melodies, ska, worship music or dozens of other genres. Executive Director Troy Tyree first volunteered at WCUW in 1984, and said part of the station’s charm is its unpredictability. “It’s like with television,, you tune in, you don’t like what you’re watching, just turn it off or turn somewhere else,” Tyree said. “Same thing with us. If you don’t like it, just turn away for a few minutes or a couple hours and come back.” WCUW used to be located on the Clark University campus, but settled into its current location on Main Street in Worcester back in 1980. It’s a building overflowing with history—shelves upon shelves of vinyl records, old posters of artists, and dusty boxes filled with decades-old newsletters. Although it can sometimes feel like you’re stepping back in time, a dedicated team of volunteers have ensured there’s still a place in the modern world for it.
Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy reissued for 40th anniversary: Two new physical editions. Smalltown Boy’, Bronski Beat’s classic debut single from 1984, is being reissued as a CD single and a coloured vinyl seven-inch for its 40th anniversary. The song has been reworked by London-based DJ and producer ABSOLUTE. (Ant McGinley) and the new version gets the ‘thumbs up’ from Jimmy Somerville: “ABSOLUTE. has kept a strong essence of the period and the song. The Bass…,” he said. ”I was transported back to our first times writing (banging on a Pro One and a Moog) and me realising I never had to walk around vocally imitating a sequence ever again!” The new CD single of ‘Smalltown Boy’ boasts a rather groovy semi-transparent design and is housed in a die-cut, numbered sleeve. It features the original 1984 edit of ‘Smalltown Boy’ alongside four new reworkings. The pink vinyl seven-inch features the edit on the A-side and the ABSOLUTE. Rework on the B-side.
Revelation Records announce Farside ‘Rigged’ 30th anniversary vinyl: Seminal melodic punk band Farside formed in 1989 in Orange County, California and had a strong eleven year run before disbanding in 2000. During that time the band released three albums, two EPs and a split with Sense Field. Released on June 21st, 1994 through Revelation Records, Farside’s sophomore album Rigged became a fan favorite spanning praise from audiences across punk, hardcore, emo, and alternative rock. In celebration of the record’s 30th anniversary, Farside and Revelation Records announce a special pressing of Rigged on mint green eco-vinyl with an accompanying 16 page booklet. In addition to Rigged, Revelation Records is offering new color vinyl represses of Farside’s Rochambeau (1992) and Monroe Doctrine (1999).
Why Vinyl? Because The Music Deserves It (Op-Ed) There are five core reasons that music enthusiasts continue to embrace vinyl, underscoring the trend that has seen record sales climb impressively over the past decade. I still have my first-ever vinyl record. “Sesame Disco” by the cast of Sesame Street. Shout out to track 2, “Me Lost Me Cookie At The Disco” by Cookie Monster. Absolute banger. Around the same time, I got my second album, Cabbage Patch Dreams by Cabbage Patch Kids. It would have been the early ‘80s, when I was just a toddler. They’re a little worse for wear because I didn’t know how to look after them when I was a kid, but I have distinct memories of being taught to handle them with care. They spent most of their lives in a crate in my Mum’s garage while I galavanted all over the world. …They are not worth much from a monetary perspective, maybe a few bucks. But they are not for sale and never will be, because they absolutely sent me on a life-long trajectory of caring deeply about music.
