Boston, MA | Brother Cleve’s vast vinyl collection has found a new home—and some of it could end up in yours: When Brian Coleman and Dave Belson showed up on a recent Friday to unlock the door at their two-year-old record store, a small crowd was already waiting in the lobby. It’s not a common sight at Want List Records, which occupies space in a quiet little antique mall in Newton Upper Falls. “It was like a new pair of Air Jordans was dropping or something,” says Coleman. The vinyl junkies were gathered for the official unveiling of the record collection amassed by the late Brother Cleve, the exotic music and cocktail connoisseur who made it his job to intoxicate the nightlife scene in Boston and beyond. Cleve, who grew up in Medford as Robert Toomey, died unexpectedly last September at age 67. “He had two branches of his life that overlapped,” said Belson at the store a few days before the unveiling, at an informal gathering of some of Cleve’s closest friends. “I think that’s kind of dope.”
Oliver, CA | Respect Record and Skate Shop aims to be unique part of Oliver community: Respect Record and Skate Shop in Oliver has begun to make its mark as a unique business with an aim to be a contributing part of the community. The shop, owned by local Darren Tokaryk and opened in late 2022, is located at 6222 Main Street in Oliver. It has everything skateboarders and record collectors might want or need. The idea for the business came from Tokaryk’s friend Cliff, who patrons will occasionally see helping out in the store. Cliff used to own a record store, and said that if he were to do it again, he would add another side to the business such as skateboards. Tokaryk kept that in mind when he was in the planning stages for his own business. The store offers a large selection of new and used records that are all meticulously cleaned and placed in new sleeves. They also have everything needed for quality skateboarding, such as boards, trucks, wheels, bearings, grip and more.
Teesside, UK | Acclaimed documentary on beloved Teesside record shop made free to watch in honour of owner’s life: British artist and filmmaker Jeanie Finlay has made Sound It Out – her documentary about the much loved Teesside record shop of the same name – free to watch until 25 June to mark the life of shop owner Tom Butchart, who died earlier this month aged 50. Sound it Out profiled the very last surviving vinyl record shop in Teesside – alongside its customers – and won global acclaim on its release 12 years ago. “Tom’s openness and his ability to always be himself – and to extend that grace to others – is why I chose to make a film with him,” Finlay explained in a Facebook post. “What an adventure we had.” Butchart’s funeral takes place this weekend, and donations to the Tees Music Alliance in his memory can be made here. Watch Sound it Out for free on Jeanie Finlay’s website.
Seattle, WA | Coffee and vinyl reign supreme at Empire Roasters and Records in south Seattle: The Columbia City coffee shop recently expanded adding a vinyl record store. There’s certainly not a lack of coffee shops in the overly caffeinated Pacific Northwest. What is rare, though, is finding a place where you can pick up the latest Taylor Swift album on vinyl along with your latte. If that sounds like the perfect combination, then you need to check out Empire Roasters and Records in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. The coffee shop has been around since 2009 and has expanded during the last few years – floor by floor. The business now occupies three levels and includes a rooftop deck. The record store was added during the pandemic and owner Ian Peters credits the move with saving the business. Peters encourages customers to bring friends, explore and hang out.
Marquette, MI | Geoff and Jon’s Vinyl Record Show returns to Marquette, offering physical media and community: An interview with Jon Teichman about the next Vinyl Record Show. If you just can’t get enough music, then you’ve got another chance to add to your collection this summer. Geoff Walker and Jon Teichman will team up once again to hold the next Vinyl Record Show at Ore Dock Brewing Company from Thursday, June 29th through Sunday, July 2nd. The show (in collaboration with the NMU Vinyl Record Club) features new and used vinyl records, CDs, posters, and more. Visitors can also bring music for trade consideration. Kurt Hauswirth chatted about the upcoming show with culture and vinyl expert Jon Teichman.
Milan, IT | Greenyl, 3 million investment for the startup that produces “sustainable” vinyl: Music business observers have been keeping an eye on two trends for the past few years: on the one hand the return to vinyl, a niche segment of discography but growing exponentially in the age of streaming reproducibility, on the other the sustainability of productions. There is no live festival, among those scheduled after the pandemic, that does not work to reduce emissions and waste. In San Giuliano Milanese someone thought of putting the two concepts together: this is how Greenyl was born, a startup that produces vinyl records using a 100% recyclable polymeric compound. And, as in the most beautiful stories that have to do with music, the “band” is set up by two old high school friends: Luca Terenzi and Ilich Rausa. The former has a family business in San Giuliano, Terenzi Srl which produces plastic materials with 60 employees and a turnover of 6 million.
IN | Audio-Technica unveils 3 new turntables for vinyl lovers in India: AudioTechnica has launched three new turntables in India: the AT-LP120XUSB, the AT-LP60XUSB and the AT-LP60X. Audio-Technica has announced the launch of three new models in India, catering to different segments of vinyl enthusiasts. The new turntables are the AT-LP120XUSB, the AT-LP60XUSB and the AT-LP60X, each offering a unique set of features and benefits. The AT-LP120XUSB is an updated version of the AT-LP120-USB, featuring a new DC servo direct-drive motor, HS6 headshell, adjustable dynamic anti-skate control, damped base construction and an external power supply. The turntable comes with a high-performance AT-VM95E cartridge, which is compatible with any VM95 Series replacement stylus. The turntable also has a USB output for converting records to digital audio files, 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM speeds, and a detachable dual RCA output cable. The AT-LP120XUSB is available in black and is priced at Rs 56,990 on Amazon and across dealer channels.
Bengaluru, IN | The Culinary Odyssey Begins: Record Room Unveils Exciting New Menu for Its 1-Year Anniversary! Bengaluru: Record Room, Bengaluru’s first craft beer and vinyl bar, celebrates one year of its existence with the analogue joys of vinyl. To commemorate its first anniversary, Record Room introduces an enticing new menu that captures the essence of contemporary gastronomy while incorporating a range of global influences. The menu is thoughtfully designed to offer an array of options, ensuring vegetarian, vegan and non-vegetarian diners find their taste buds thoroughly satisfied. Over the last year, Record Room has been a perfect destination where culinary wonders meets soul-stirring melodies of vinyl. With its enhanced menu, it promises a remarkable gastronomic experience, offering an array of meticulously crafted delights.
