UK | Sainsbury’s supermarket will stop selling CDs, sale of vinyl records to continue: UK supermarket Sainsbury’s has announced it will no longer sell CDs and DVDs, although it will continue to stock vinyl records. The company says that “customers increasingly go online for entertainment”, which may come as no surprise given the rise of streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Netflix. “Earlier this year we took the decision to gradually phase out the sale of DVDs and CDs, so that we can dedicate extra space to food and popular products like clothing and homewares,” Sainsbury’s added (via BBC News). The CD market was worth £115 million in 2020, but it’s still shrinking. Vinyl record sales, meanwhile, are at their highest since the 90s, but the format was worth less than the CD market last year at £86 million. Sainsbury’s has been stocking vinyl records since 2016 and will continue to sell them in 171 stores.
Sicamous, BC | Vinyl back in rotation with opening of new Salmon Arm record shop: Music enthusiast Morgan Labrecque unlocks The Vinyl Vault at Westgate Public Market. For Morgan Labrecque, listening to electronic music on vinyl is comparable to enjoying a slice of chocolate cake. “It’s rich, delicious, it’s enjoyable – it’s the best,” said Labrecque, whose passion for music extends into a variety of genres, preferably pressed into a platter and placed inside a cardboard jacket. “…Listening to music on the radio or your phone, it’s OK, but listening to it on vinyl, you get to experience your favourite songs through a whole different realm,” said Labrecque, extolling the virtues of vinyl. By comparison, MP3 files, she explained, are lossy (compressed), meaning the quality of the music is sacrificed for a smaller file size. “With vinyl, it’s literally physical grooves that are making the music and there’s nothing more pure than that.”
Liverpool, UK | Liverpool’s lost record shops that may be gone but won’t be forgotten: Take a look back at Liverpool’s most iconic record shops. Liverpool’s shopping scene is known for being dynamic and eclectic, offering everything from high street retailers and designer boutiques to bargain stores and market stalls. There’s no doubt it has changed over the years, with businesses closing up shop and new, state-of-the-art shopping centres taking over the city centre. These days the likes of Primark and River Island rule the streets, but years ago, before the heyday of online shopping and music streaming, it was record shops that dominated Liverpool’s shopping scene. Often a rite of passage among Liverpool’s teenagers, vinyl records were coveted – and so the retailers gave them just what they wanted; a haven where they could delve into their favourite albums. These stores were everywhere, on high streets and tucked down side alleys, emitting that distinct love-it-or-hate-it smell and offering everything from obscure independent releases to Top of the Pops hits.
Honolulu, HI | Aloha Got Soul has opened a record store in Honolulu: “Celebrating homegrown local music.” Aloha Got Soul has opened a record store in Honolulu’s Mōʻiliʻili neighbourhood, called AGS. Described as a celebration of “sound and vision”, AGS will stock new releases from independent labels and artists across the world, alongside Aloha Got Soul’s own releases. The shop will also offer a curated selection of secondhand vinyl — traversing an eclectic range of genres and eras. “Thanks to everyone who’s supported us throughout the years … without your support and presence, we wouldn’t feel as confident and comfortable in taking this next step.” AGS is open Thursday to Sunday 12pm — 7pm, at 2017 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826.
Why Are Independent Artists and Labels Turning Away From Vinyl? Faced with interminable manufacturing delays, some of music’s DIY players are giving up on the beloved format. …Complaints about lengthy vinyl production schedules are nearly as old as the vinyl revival itself, but this time feels different. Several self-released artists and DIY label owners contacted by Pitchfork describe moving away from vinyl, largely due to pandemic-era manufacturing slowdowns. “This vinyl turnaround crisis is by miles the worst I’ve ever known it,” says Britt Brown, co-founder of the L.A.-based experimental imprint Not Not Fun and house-oriented sister label 100% Silk. “It raises the question if the format will even continue to be viable.” Mike Simonetti, who once co-founded the influential Italians Do It Better label alongside Johnny Jewel, recently called out vinyl turnaround delays in an impassioned Twitter thread: “This can’t sustain itself,” he warned.
‘Almost Famous’ soundtrack reissued as mammoth 102-track boxset: It arrives after the seminal rock film celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. The soundtrack for Almost Famous has been reissued as a mammoth new boxset made up of 102 tracks, with various configurations available. Cameron Crowe’s seminal rock film celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, and now UMe is reissuing its soundtrack, marking the first time all the music featured in the film will be released together in one package. The expanded tracklist includes songs by Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, The Who, and Fleetwood Mac, alongside all of the material created for the film’s fictional rock group, Stillwater, including ‘Fever Dog’. Unreleased songs will include a cast rendition of Elton John‘s ‘Tiny Dancer’, and a remix and edit of The Who’s ‘Amazing Journey / Sparks’ as arranged by director Cameron Crowe. Nancy Wilson’s original score will also be featured, along with 14 outtakes.
Drive-By Truckers releasing classic lineup set, “Plan 9 Records July 13th, 20006. In celebration of its 15th Anniversary, Drive-By Truckers will release Plan 9 Records July 13th, 2006 tomorrow via New West Records. The 25-song set features the classic Drive-By Truckers lineup of Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, Jason Isbell, Brad Morgan, John Neff, and Shonna Tucker and was recorded live in its entirety at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA. The album will be available for the first time tomorrow across digital platforms. Double LP vinyl and double compact disc editions featuring extensive liner notes written by Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood will be released on Friday, August 6th. Plan 9 Records July 13th, 2006 was previously issued as a limited “bootleg” version for Record Store Day Black Friday last year. Immediately selling out, the limited version became a sought after collectors item by fans. The new vinyl version will be available on color vinyl and will feature updated packaging including the original poster art for the performance by the band’s longtime designer, the celebrated artist Wes Freed.
Wrensilva and Jack Daniel’s have made a whiskey-themed Sonos/vinyl hi-fi console: And it’s being auctioned for charity – what better way to make it count? Famous Tennessee whiskey maker Jack Daniel’s has cosied up with premium San Diego hi-fi console brand Wrensilva to come up with a handmade hi-fi console finished with aged Jack Daniel’s barrel staves. Want one? Well, you’ll need to put in the work – the limited-edition Wrensilva and Jack Daniel’s console will be auctioned off to the highest bidder between now until 22nd July, on Charitybuzz, with proceeds going to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is a non-profit charity that provides financial assistance to musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet. And, after more than a year of cancelled gigs, there’s never been a better time to make it count and show your support for live music. The flagship Wrensilva M1 Console on which the collaboration is based was already quite the looker – and when you consider its $11,000 asking price, it ought to be.
