Nottingham, UK | Spotify was a big threat. But Rob’s Records is still selling vinyl after 45 years: Rob Smith, owner and founder of Rob’s Records, says his shop has never stopped selling vinyl despite the rise of streaming. As you walk down Upper Parliament Street – one of the busiest roads in Nottingham city centre – don’t blink, or you’ll miss Rob’s Records. Hidden in Hurts Yard, an almost secret narrow passage tucked between shops and bars off the main road, you’ll find one of Nottinghamshire’s most unique record stores. …But for founder and owner Rob Smith, being off the beaten track hasn’t done any harm to business as he approaches 45 years of running the shop. The Nottingham-born-and-bred music enthusiast has been selling records since he left school in 1968, originally working at the Co-operative before joining the record shop on Herts Yard in 1979 that would later become Rob’s Records. After spending almost two years posting vinyl orders for the then owners, Rob was offered the lease for the store at the end of 1980, and the rest is history.
Hamilton, OH | Local record stores look for business in revitalized areas: All ages are buying vinyl, but not enough, says one store owner. In the spring of 2022, the Carder brothers found themselves in the record business. Dondi, Jason and Justin have owned Unsung Salvage at 212 Main St. in Hamilton since 2017, but bought Main Street Vinyl in 2022 and moved it into their store. Dondi Carder said he expected the record side of the business to do as well as it did at Main Street Vinyl which was previously a few doors down at 220 Main St. “When we were getting the record store we thought we would probably have a bigger crowd because we would have our faithful base and then add [Main Street Vinyl customers] to it,” Carder said. “But I don’t know if that’s the trend so far.” Carder said the main issue is that many customers will walk through the store but not buy anything. He said there has been an uptick in foot traffic since Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill opened in the city, but there hasn’t been the jump in business that was expected.
Austin, TX | New vinyl shop in East Austin creates safe place for queer community: Sunshine Vinyl opened up shop on East Fifth Street with a selection of records and an atmosphere of acceptance for anyone who walks through the doors. A vinyl shop designed to be a safe space for all queer people had its grand opening on East Fifth Street in Austin on Saturday. “I want to build a space where people can come and feel like safe and welcome and included, whether that be because of your sexual identity, your gender, your music taste. Like, whatever it is, I want to bring people together in one place,” Luca Kisielius, the owner of Sunshine Vinyl, said. Kisielius had been working in the tech industry in Austin for around 10 years but wanted to do something that they felt gave them more purpose. “I really want to bring physical media and tangible media to our generation so that we can kind of step away from being online all the time,” Kisielius said.
St Petersburg, FL | Daddy Kool Records hosts second Punk Flea in the A/C market: July is going to be a great month for indoor markets. The Indie Flea will take over The Coliseum and St. Pete Shuffle on July 12. Later in the month, something spectacular is happening at The Factory. Daddy Kool Records presents its second installment of Punk Flea in the A/C, a punk rock themed, music and art market, hosted at 2606 Fairfield Ave S from 12pm–6pm, Sunday, July 28. As per the event announcement: “This is a FREE, mostly air-conditioned and mostly family-friendly event.” While there’s a lot of “mostly”, we are entirely excited about this market’s offerings. Market goers can expect 40+ vendors and food trucks, plus 6 live bands who have traveled from all around Florida to perform. Besides perusing the vendors and chowing down, you can get your hands involved, too, with DIY activities like button making. There’ll also be live skunks you can pet courtesy of Florida Skunk Rescue.
Jerome, AZ | Puscifer the Store Announces Summer Live Music Lineup: Puscifer the Store, an eclectic retailer of new and used vinyl, today announced the schedule for its popular Summer Live Entertainment Series, an annual series of live music, performance art, and other unique acts. Originally launched in the summer of 2022, the Summer Live Music series is returning by popular demand to offer unique live entertainment at Puscifer the Store’s retail and performance space at 140 Main Street in Jerome, Arizona. On Friday, June 21, Puscifer the Store celebrates the official start of summer with a live performance by sludgecore band Throatpiss and punk protest metal band Bondbreakr, both of Austin, Texas. Tickets to this 18+ show are available on Eventbrite. On Monday, July 8, spend an evening with the Pine Hill Haints, an American traditional bluegrass/folk/honky tonk/country band from Alabama. The band members describe their unique Southern roots music as “Alabama Ghost Music.” This is an all-ages show, and admission is free (donations are appreciated).
Coldplay: vinyl copies of new album Moon Music will be made from old plastic bottles: Band say carbon emissions for vinyl production will be reduced by 85% thanks to new method, as they announce 10th studio album. Coldplay are aiming to make the most ecologically sustainable vinyl record yet, for their newly announced album Moon Music. Each 140g vinyl copy of Moon Music, released 4 October, will be manufactured from nine plastic bottles recovered from consumer waste. For a special “notebook edition”, 70% of the plastic has been intercepted by the environmental nonprofit The Ocean Cleanup from Rio Las Vacas, Guatemala, preventing it from entering the Gulf of Honduras and the Atlantic Ocean. The band say they will reduce carbon emissions compared with regular 140g vinyl production by 85%, and prevent the manufacture of 25 tonnes of virgin plastic. CD copies will be made from 90% recycled plastic, with a 78% reduction in emissions compared with traditional CD manufacture.
The Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association releases their first carbon footprint report: The Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association (VRMA) is proud to announce the release of its first comprehensive Carbon Footprint Report. This groundbreaking report, authored by Peter Frings of Stamper Discs in the U.K., represents a significant milestone in the industry’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The report is the result of a bilateral effort between the working groups of the VRMA and the Vinyl Alliance, demonstrating a unified approach towards understanding and mitigating the environmental impact of vinyl record production. Through this collaborative endeavor, the industry aims to set new standards for sustainability practices and encourage continuous improvement across all stages of the manufacturing process.
Glasgow, UK | Blue Note Records official pop-up store opens for Glasgow International Jazz Festival: The iconic label continues its 85th anniversary celebrations with its first ever pop-store outside the UK capital from 19-22 June. Blue Note Records will open a pop-up store in Glasgow city centre this week, marking the first time the legendary jazz label has opened an official store outside of London. This coincides with this year’s Glasgow International Jazz Festival, with the pop-up open for four days only from Wednesday 19 June to Saturday 22 June. It will be stocking the largest physical collection of Blue Note vinyl for sale in the UK, along with exclusive merchandise, books, DVDs, branded clothing and more. Located at high-end audio retailer and record store Loud and Clear, the pop-up will also present exclusive album playbacks, providing the opportunity to experience classic Blue Note albums played through state-of-the-art hi-fi systems.
Manitoba, CA | ‘Something fantastic’: Manitoba Music Show sees hundreds of vinyl collectors, buyers: Manitoba’s largest music and record sale returned to Winnipeg’s Caboto Centre Sunday. The Manitoba Music Show was packed with people of all ages who said vendors offered something for every style. “You’re going to find every type of genre music here,” said Mike Huen, one of the people behind the event. “You’re going to find every format of music here, you’re going to find CDs, vinyl, you’re gonna find any kind of…music memorabilia.” Huen said collecting vinyl records has recently become more popular, especially among people 40 years old and younger. “The younger people – they missed an important era of music, which was the 50s, the 60s and part of the 70s,” said John Belasco, who was visiting the market. “So for them to discover that is something fantastic.” The one-day event takes place every year and can see around 700 visitors, with some even travelling from Saskatchewan and Alberta to get in on the deals.
