Hollywood, CA | Counterpoint Records & Books Reopens: On Thursday, June 4, Counterpoint Records & Books announced that they will reopen on Monday, June 8. Established in 1979 in the Franklin Village, Counterpoint Records & Books is a mom-and-pop book and record store. It is owned and operated by husband and wife, John and Susan Polifronio. It buys and sells “second-hand and rare records, books, CDs, DVDs, ephemera, and various other popular and out of print cultural items.” Their stock ranges from inexpensive classics to higher end or rare antiquarian items. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Counterpoint Records & Books closed in-store shopping. Alternatively, books were posted to eBay for purchase. The store was under threat of being permanently closed as the owners struggled to receive federal loans. Nonetheless, they continued to pay their three employees. “We don’t know when we’ll be able to open up. It’s unknown and changing every day, and it makes planning impossible,” said Susan Polifronio in late April toThe Los Angeles Times.
Philadelphia, PA | Record stores are set to reopen in Philly and Jersey. You’ll sanitize before you ‘dig.’ Crate digging will be done with freshly sanitized hands. Masks are mandatory. Plexiglass sneeze guards have been installed at the checkout counter. Socially distanced shopping will be in effect. And that’s all good news for music fans who long to hold a new find in their hands: Record stores are getting ready to open again. Stores like Repo Records on South Street (reopening June 8), Main Street Music in Manayunk (June 5), and the Princeton Record Exchange in New Jersey (June 15) have survived for decades despite multiple transformations of the industry, which now embraces a streaming model in which music is essentially given away for free. Now those stores, as well as Philly shops that have opened in the last decade like Brewerytown Beats (reopened June 5) or Sit & Spin Records (June 13) have been trying to keep their businesses alive with their doors closed by a deadly virus.
Las Cruces, NM | Quirky businesses in the Mesilla Valley: Eyeconik Records & Apparel. Eyeconik Records & Apparel sells a wide selection of hard to find vinyl records, music products, art and apparel for music and entertainment lovers. Located at 224 N. Campo St., customers can listen to albums before purchasing and even listen to live music events. There is something for everyone at this local record store, whether you’re a collector or a musician. The record store also expanded its classic arcade game room and is undergoing a full remodel. The store will be temporarily closed until renovations are complete but curbside is available at this time.
Altrincham, UK | Meet the man behind the ‘Caravan of Love’ bringing coffee and grooves to Stamford Square: Independent record label Stutter & Twitch has launched a brand-new coffee caravan concept in Stamford Square in Altrincham town centre. The Stutter & Twitch ‘Caravan of Love’ is now open, selling Grindsmith-roasted coffee, teas, cold brews and cakes from Stockport-based Silver Apples Bakery. There’s also a collection of over a 1,000 vinyl records to browse and buy – with only one customer allowed at a time in accordance with current social distancing restrictions. Stutter & Twitch is also providing disposable gloves and sanitiser. Stutter and Twitch was launched two years ago by Ryan Hayes, who has a background as a musician and producer. Fuelled by a love of coffee and his experiences working in hospitality through various part-time jobs, Hayes bought the caravan on New Year’s Day 2019 and set about a lengthy restoration project. Having postponed his Stamford Quarter debut until it was safe to do so, Hayes hopes his concept is as much a community project as a commercial one.
Here Are the Labels Donating Their Bandcamp Profits to Black Lives Matter Initiatives: Bandcamp is going to be waiving its revenue share once again today (June 5). And while the campaign was initially meant to help artists through their financial hardship during the global pandemic, many labels have committed to donating the proceeds from their sales to Black Lives Matter initiatives, anti-racism organizations and local bail funds. The news comes after many artists strongly urged their record labels to not just state their support but also donate funds. Meanwhile, Bandcamp is donating 100% of their revenue share on June 19 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Find out about each label’s commitment here.
All the Latest Protest and Benefit Music Released in Response to Police Brutality: Throughout American history, protest has been channeled through music, from the folk of the ’60s to the hip-hop of the ’80s and ’90s. While the nation continues to protest the police killings of unarmed black people — including George Floyd in Minneapolis, who formerly rapped with Houston’s DJ Screw in the ’90s, along with Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and literally countless others — musicians have turned to their form to express grief and rage. Others have used the moment to fundraise, dropping new releases and directing proceeds toward various memorial and bail funds while also encouraging fans to donate directly. (Additionally, Bandcamp will donate all of its profits on June 19 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, as well as $30,000 every year to various orgs that “fight for racial justice and create opportunities for people of color.”) Here’s a current list of songs, albums, and performances protesting police brutality in the U.S. and benefitting important fundraisers.
Manila, PH | Pinoy rock ’70s classic now available on vinyl 44 years later: A long lost DZRJ classic, “In Love With You” by Phase Two — a staple on their FM radio station rotation — has finally seen the vinyl treatment 44 years later. The song was written by Johnny Alegre who since those halcyon days of the 1970s made a name for himself as a jazz and world music musician. Among his bandmates then was noted guitarist Joey Puyat. Along with Sam Sen on bass, Uly Avante on drums, and Colby Calzada on keyboards, they recorded the song as Phase Two. As Alegre tells it, “In late 1975 or early 1976, I auditioned a handful of songs to my bandmate, Joey Puyat, who was fishing for ideas to record. Joey chose ‘In Love With You’ as the right vehicle.” The song was recorded in the now-defunct Cinema Audio recording studio in a matter of days and Alegre trooped over to DZRJ then located in Sta. Mesa and handed over the cassette recording to legendary disc jockey, Howling Dave. “Suffice to say, that the song was on heavy rotation simply because it blended with the spirit of the times,” explained Alegre of the breezy early staple of Pinoy rock.
Joiner, UK | Joiner’s man shed gets lockdown vinyl makeover: It is a quirky lockdown project that also has sound eco credentials. Self-employed Brora joiner Alan Hastings, who is currently on furlough, came up with a novel makeover scheme to pass the time. He has used old vinyl records sourced from Blythswood Trust to clad the man shed in his garden at Victoria Road, giving it a unique new look. And in so doing he has saved 400 records from going to landfill. The distinctive shed revamp was nominated in an Absolute Radio contest to find the top three Best Use of Garden Hometime Mr Hastings (44) took around 18 hours to clad the shed with help from his wife Wendy Sutherland and young daughter Fara. They gave the colourful record labels three coats of yacht varnish to withstand the weather and are delighted with the finished look. “It looks really good”, said Ms Sutherland who added that they hit on the idea after learning from Blythswood Trust recycling manager Willie Mackintosh that he had hundreds of vinyl records he was unable to shift and which were destined for landfill.
