Minneapolis, MN | New record store opens in historic music space: A legendary music space in Minneapolis is spinning a new record. Michele Swanson opened Lucky Cat Records at the corner of Lyndale Avenue and 26th Street — a space that was once home to Treehouse Records and Oar Folkjokeopus. “The history in this space is just amazing,” said Swanson. “It’s kind of where Minnesota music sort of originated, you know, The Replacements were discovered here.” The history of this corner shop is why Swanson wanted to open a record store, a move she never saw coming. She worked in human resources for Delta Airlines for over two decades. “I’ve always loved music, but I’ve never done it as a profession,” Swanson said. Her record store is filled with new and used vinyl. “The used vinyl, I actually source from around the world,” she said. “Some of the vintage local artists like Zuzu’s Petals, and Run Westy Run, Babes in Toyland, you can’t find the vintage albums around here.”
Limerick, IE | New record shop Downbeat Records to open in Limerick in August: “A good record store is about more than the music, its about the culture and the community,” Downbeat Records’ Frankie O’Mahony tells us. Limerick city centre is about to become home to an exciting new community-oriented record store – following today’s announcement that Downbeat Records is opening at The Wickham Way in August. The store is set to stock new and used vinyl records and books, with a particularly strong emphasis on soul, jazz, electronic, rock, metal, hip-hop, reggae and world music. There will also be a dedicated listening desk in store for customer use. In the run-up to the opening, Frankie O’Mahony, the mastermind behind Downbeat Records, has been busy buying up quality record collections, and sourcing stock from the UK, US and beyond. Downbeat Records also plans to serve its local community of artists, musicians and record collectors by launching its own label for Irish output.
Stockton, UK | New independent record shop set for Stockton: Record shop Regent Records opens for business on Saturday 13 July. The store will offer specialist stock like rare vintage vinyl plus a wide variety of brand-new records too – as well as CDs, cassette tapes and music-related memorabilia. Regency Records opens for business on Saturday 13 July. They’re hosting their launch night party on 12 July, with George Boomsma and George Bailey playing live. The launch will be a free-entry, “pay-what-you-decide” event and all proceeds will go to the artists performing. The owner Stephen Thompson was formerly a full-time teacher and will keep his hand in with occasional supply work. Stephen said: “Opening a record shop in my beloved Stockton is something I’ve always wanted to do.” He hopes his shop will fill the gap left by the independent Sound It Out which closed after its owner passed away.
London, UK | Record Store Lates with OPIA Records: Programmed by our store clerk Jos, every Thursday we invite labels & parties near and far to take over the wheels of steel and showcase their sound for our new project “Record Store Lates”. This is an opportunity for us to give a platform back to the people that support our little record shop, highlight their projects and show you what they’re all about. Expect a broad spectrum of sound through House, Disco, Downtempo, Synth Pop, Electronica and beyond over the next few months! DRINK – Expect our usual selection of craft beer, coffees, natural wines and our specially selected cocktail menu. FOOD – Food served from 5pm-10pm our in-house pizza! INFO – This is a free entry event as always. Please book tables via our website for large parties to avoid disappointment.
Philadelphia, PA | Philly Stories: Timeless Tunes and Vinyl Dreams: Navigating the Magic of Sam Goody’s in ’70s Philadelphia. In the heart of 1970s Philadelphia, amidst the bustling streets and vibrant culture, one music store stood as a beacon for music enthusiasts — Sam Goody’s at the Roosevelt Mall. Join me as I journey back in time to explore the magic that made Sam Goody’s an iconic haven for music lovers during this groovy era. The Awe of Aisles: Walking through the doors of Sam Goody’s was like stepping into a realm of endless possibilities. Aisles neatly stacked with vinyl records, cassette tapes and the latest eight-track wonders offered a feast for the senses. The air buzzed with the excitement of discovering new music. Vinyl Wonderland: Vinyl enthusiasts, in particular, found solace in Sam Goody’s extensive vinyl collection. From chart-topping hits to underground gems, the store curated a selection that catered to the diverse tastes of its clientele. Each record sleeve held the promise of a sonic journey waiting to be explored.
Falmouth, UK | Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis in Falmouth record shop: It’s not every day you bump into a Hollywood A-lister on the streets of Cornwall. However, for the manager of the Sounds OK record shop on Arewenack Street in Falmouth, it was a different story after he invited Harry Potter and Star Wars actor Warwick Davis into his shop. Martin Seviour was outside the shop when Warwick was passing by on his hoverboard. He said: “He was passing by, and I stopped and had a chat with him. “He then noticed the record shop and came in to have a look around. We got chatting about some of the records, and then I asked if he’d be happy for a selfie, to which he agreed. Martin described Warwick as a ‘very nice guy.’
Seattle, WA | “Eddie Vedder is running the shop today”: the time the Pearl Jam frontman reported for duty at his local record store: Easy Street Records was short-staffed and their most famous customer came to the rescue. When Pearl Jam cancel shows, you know that something must be up. The Seattle legends have never been afraid to put in a shift when required, as demonstrated the time that frontman Eddie Vedder hopped behind the counter at his local record store because they were short-staffed. It was 1995 and Pearl Jam were at the height of their fame. Vedder had been having a torrid time of it, struggling with the glare of the limelight, but it hadn’t put him off going crate-digging in his favourite record store, West Seattle’s Easy Street Records. It was a slow Sunday and Vedder was in the shop scrolling through records when it was announced that the city’s baseball team the Seattle Mariners would be involved in a pivotal play-off game against the California Angels, a first play-off appearance for the Seattle team.
Las Vegas, NV | Sebastian Bach announces in-store signing session at Zia Records: Sebastian Bach is celebrating the 4th of July by issuing the following announcement: “Las Vegas!!!! We are beyond stoked to announce July 19 we will be signing copies of Child Within The Man at the most excellent music establishment Zia Records!! I LOVE RECORD STORES and Zia is one of my favorite music emporiums on the planet! So come by and pick up the new album / CD / cassette and if you have the new one I’ll sign some old stuff too! Plus we can get a photo! Cya July 19 Las Vegas 5–7 PM!”
Bay View, WI | ‘Music is like the ultimate way to connect with people’: Vinyl record listening lounge opens in Bay View: It is often said that some trends always come back in style. Over the past decade, vinyl records have made a major comeback. A new bar with a record listening lounge has recently opened its doors in the Bay View neighborhood. “To me, music’s like the ultimate way to connect with people,” said John Dykstra. “Almost everything that is good has come to me because I was in a band; I met my wife, my business partner, all of these different opportunities,” added Jim McCann. “1983, so like, 8 years old, that’s when I can really, really remember being into music,” said Chris Schulist. “I always really liked records just for like the artwork of it and just to be able to sit and hold it.” These three friends recently became business partners, opening up a vinyl record lounge in the Bay view neighborhood.
