Banbury, UK | Banbury’s only independent record shop to host series of events after moving location: Banbury’s only independent record shop will host a series of events to celebrate moving to a new premises. To celebrate moving to Unit 29 on the Cherwell Business Village, on Southam Road, Strummer Room Records is hosting three special events. Starting with Vinyl Saturday on Saturday July 1, staff have raided the shop’s storage unit for hundreds of vinyl records that have not yet made it to the shop or website for the day. Following on from this is the grand opening of the new premises on Saturday July 22. This will feature live music from The Long Time Dead and The Pink Diamond Revue, a licenced bar, free parking, and free entry. Finally, the shop is hosting Banbury’s first record fair in many years on Sunday October 22, at Banbury United FC’s ground. The fair will feature over 10 specialist dealers selling a wide range of vinyl records, CDs, and collectibles.
Woodland Hills, CA | Forever spinning the wax: The best record stores around Woodland Hills: …Irrespective of who or what started the vinyl resurgence, both turntable and vinyl record sales have been up like almost never before, though if you ask those who are seriously vested in the hobby and format, they will tell you it’s all about the differences between digital (CD) and analog (vinyl), and how there’s something so magical about gently dropping a stylus down into the first groove of a record. Luckily for vinyl enthusiasts, a plethora of privately-owned shops selling both new and used vinyl have sprung up in major cities across the U.S. catering to those who “get” the satisfying emotional connection a true music lover has to the record-playing routine. Indeed, Los Angeles has not been immune from the vinyl fever still burning high in 2023, and if you’re a record aficionado in Woodland Hills, you’re in for a real treat.
Kent, UK | Elephant Music, in Harmer Street, Gravesend, opening vinyl store hoping to be a mini Camden Lock: A town’s only music shop is opening its own vinyl store – which will be the first in the area. Elephant Music, in Gravesend, is hoping to make it more accessible for people to get into music by diversifying their stock to create a “mini Camden Lock.” Co-owner Rob Sherwood said: “We really just wanted to do something a little bit different and bring a different crowd in too. “Vinyl is coming back in a big way so we are trying to incorporate that into the business. “We want to create a mini Camden Lock without the water.” …He added: “I wanted to give the store a new lease of life.” …It currently sells musical instruments but will now also be stocking a range of records from new, old and local artists, artwork and secondhand vinyl.
Brighton, UK | Feelin’ ‘Hot’ at Dream Wife’s Resident in-store show: It’s always lovely to see Brighton bands who’ve gotten big return to our sunny shores. Later this summer, we’ll see Royal Blood wiggle their way back down here for a day festival on the beach, and today, the ever-loyal fans of punk trio Dream Wife were treated to an intimate show at the record store Resident. The art school friends turned DIY punk deities are on their third album now, but there’s no sign of fatigue in the album tracks they shared with us tonight. Perhaps the only tolerable thing about living in a supposedly post-feminist world in which harassment and misogyny are still rampant is that it gives plenty of writing inspiration for bands who want to call this discrimination out. Dream Wife have never been shy about their strongly-held feminist beliefs, but this album’s a bold step even for them: here, the band turn their weapons to the music industry itself.
Orlando, FL | Orlando rapper Cydney Poitier announces record store tour to celebrate newest album: Marking the deluxe vinyl release of ‘Uptown Saturday Night’ Orlando rapper Cydney Poitier has reemerged with more than just a fresh new album; he’s got a fresh way of rolling it out locally. His third album, Uptown Saturday Night, recently was released digitally, but for the deluxe vinyl release, the MC is currently doing a tour not of clubs but of notable record stores in the area — the very spots where he digs the crates for inspiration. Going all in on his Sidney Poitier tribute motif, both this latest record and all its songs take their names from titles in the late great actor’s filmography. Apropos of the concept, Dutch producer Soul Lxrd (aka Beatenaunt) wove the album’s tapestry with rich cinematic flourishes that crackle with the patina of classic soul sounds and old movie samples. …The sum total, like namesake Sidney Poitier, is the essence of strong Black excellence.
London, UK | Phonica Records is embarking on a 20th anniversary tour: Catch Phonica Records at an event near you. Phonica Records is going on tour to celebrate 20 years of the store. Hitting up festivals including Glastonbury and We Out Here, the store’s team will be DJing across the UK and further beyond in Barcelona and Lisbon. Joined by a cast including Eris Drew, Kai Campos, Peach, Niks, Soichi Terada, Daphni and Hunee across the dates, their schedule also features an official birthday party on November 17. Check out the full tour dates below.
Thorens celebrates 140 years with TD 124 DD turntable: It comes with a special edition SPU 124 cartridge. Thorens has unveiled its TD 124 DD 140th anniversary turntable. An upgraded edition of Thorens’ 2020 TD 124 DD turntable, which was initially based on the TD 124 DD released in the ’60s, it features a series of updates. The turntable has a two-layer platter and a special version of Thorens’ SPU 124 cartridge. The TD 124 DD has a real wood veneer and a special anniversary badge. See the turntable here. Only 140 units of the turntable will be available at the cool price of €11,999 (around £10,520).
Audio-Technica releases the non-limited edition version of its portable Bluetooth turntable: Audio-Technica’s 60th-anniversary turntable was so popular upon release that it ran out of its limited edition SB2022 Sound Burger before the company could satisfy turntable lovers worldwide. In response to its demand, the Japanese personal audio brand is launching the AT-SB727 — the portable Bluetooth turntable with the same Sound Burger form factor, but in three different colours (Black, White, and Yellow). We’re going to assume most people would know what a turntable is, given the popularity of vinyl in and outside of Singapore. …Audio-Technica’s Sound Burger is the marketing name for its portable Bluetooth turntable lineup. The “burger” from Sound Burger probably refers to how it sandwiches the vinyl record in its aluminium alloy platter for playback. No, you cannot eat a Sound Burger.
