Criminal Records goes big with expanded locals section: As of this week, Criminal Records has expanded its locals only selection from a crate by the register to an entire in-store display. Self-released artists from the city’s thriving DIY scene will have the opportunity to stand next to local legends such as OutKast, Killer Mike, Deerhunter, and more. The store hopes to set up consignment with artists from all over the Atlanta area, creating a mutually-beneficial relationship that provides access to each community’s fan-base.
It’s the vinyl countdown… as traditional record shop Psychotron opens in Sutton Coldfield: Psychotron Records is the new retail name in town for people who want to buy albums and singles the old-fashioned way – with their hands and on vinyl. Jonathan HipkissAll hands on deck: cum on feel the noize!All hands on deck: cum on feel the noize! From prog rock to soul and from heavy metal to reggae, there will be the best part of 3,000 proper albums and singles on display in Pete Bonner’s new store when it officially opens on Saturday (Jun4).
Drop the needle: Canadian maker of vinyl press spins its first deal: A Canadian solution to physical music’s biggest bottleneck just became even more Canadian. The Toronto startup Viryl Technologies, which announced earlier this year it had designed newly modernized and improved vinyl record presses, has inked its first partnership, with Calgary’s Canada Boy Vinyl. The Alberta record-pressing company has purchased three of Viryl’s presses, and they are expected to ship in September.
Bigger River Rooms venue for Stourbridge’s ever-popular Kiki & Henry record fair: Kiki & Henry’s Record Fair was set up by two local music lovers Henry Ratcliffe and Maria Kaye more than a year ago in a bid to bring Stourbridge record fans the music they want in a format that many thought would die off. But, with the sales of vinyl on the rise across the country, the fair has proved a hit, with fans of all music types – and all ages – adding to their existing collections or starting their vinyl purchases from scratch. Due to popularity, Kiki & Henry’s next event, on Saturday June 11, has expanded to a new and larger home – Stourbridge’s River Rooms.
All aboard! How Hackney’s floating record store is keeping afloat: The man who opened a record store on his houseboat is celebrating two years of living the dream – and is now planning to hold live performances on deck. Luke Gilford used to spend his days as a librarian imagining what it would be like to instead earn a living chatting to fellow crate-diggers on his River Lea houseboat. After much deliberation, he finally took a punt on his dream business. He quit his job, began collecting records and paid off all his debts. In June 2014, after 18 months of planning, he welcomed aboard The Record Deck’s first customers.
Vinyl fans in a spin over new Edmonton record store: 100,000 records to choose from as Record Collector’s Paradise takes advantage of trend: Since he was a kid, Bruce Romaniuk has been collecting records and dreaming of having his own record store. It’s a dream that came true Wednesday, when he opened the doors to Record Collector’s Paradise in northwest Edmonton. Romaniuk fell in love with vinyl at the age of 13, when he became hooked on the rich, warm sound and the experience that goes with playing records. “I do like the sound, but probably more so for myself I like holding on to the music, I like seeing a picture and taking the liner notes out of the album cover and reading them and learning about the band,” he said.
Americana Music Association-Record Store Day Initiative Announced: The Americana Music Association and Record Store Day have announced a partnership to create Americana Music Month, which will take place throughout the duration of JUNE 2016. More than 100 independent record stores are participating throughout the month providing free music samplers, special deals on new and classic Americana albums, and exciting in-store promotions all month long.
