Dublin, IE | Girl Band release limited-edition 7″ to support Covid-hit Dublin record shop: Given how hardcore a following they have it isn’t going to be hanging around for long! In a wonderful display of rock ‘n’ roll solidarity, Girl Band are releasing a live version of ‘Amygdala’ recorded at Vicar St. in support of The RAGE, the excellent Fade Street, Dublin 2 record shop, which has experienced a slump in sales during the pandemic and is currently looking for new premises while it continues to operate online. “We are releasing a limited run of 500 7” picture discs with all proceeds going to The RAGE,” the band reveal. “It will be a live version of ‘Amygdala’ taken from our Record Store Day release scheduled for August. The shop formally shut down its physical store on Fade Street last month due to complications that Covid 19 presented. Their online store is still operating and they’re looking for a new permanent location. The shop means a lot to us. Both Daniel and Adam worked in the store and we played our first ever gig in the basement. We want to raise a bit of money for them.”
Montreal, CA | The best record stores in Montreal with choice vinyl, CDs, tapes and more: Take your collection to the next level with new releases and hidden treasures from the best record stores in Montreal. Any self-respecting music lover knows where the best record stores in Montreal can be found, and those in the know like to keep their collections on point by checking them out regularly. This city is one of the more important music meccas on this big blue marble of ours, so it follows that our town should be home to more than a few great record stores—and it is, with selections that are only rivalled by the curators of vintage goods from the best thrift stores in Montreal (coincidentally also an occasional good source of records). Whether you’re looking for new things, old things, or things in between (or just, like, concert tickets), Montreal’s got you covered from Mile-Ex to the Mile-End and the Plateau—even out west in sleepy No Damn Good (Notre-Dame-de-Grace). Here’s where to find the best record stores in Montreal:
Watch Sound Of Vinyl Curator Henry Rollins Reveal How To Prolong The Life Of An Album: Formerly the frontman with legendary outfits Black Flag and Rollins Band, Rollins is a confirmed champion of vinyl. With curation from punk rock icon and accomplished author Henry Rollins, and audio engineer and DJ Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton, The Sound Of Vinyl first launched in the US in October 2017, providing a first-of-its-kind music service that provides an innovative new personalized and curated platform for music fans to discover and buy vinyl records via text messaging. Rollins has since used the platform to recommend his favorite albums, share stories from his life in punk rock, and interview music veterans like producer Don Was and legendary Capitol Studios vinyl mastering engineer Ron McMaster. Aside from being a confirmed vinyl addict himself, the former Black Flag and Rollins Band also values the science behind caring for his records. In an exclusive new video for uDiscover Music, he shares some essential tips which will prolong the life of everyone’s favorite records.
Victoria, TX | Record store owner and DJ dies of coronavirus: Ruben Flores, known as “Midnite Rambler” during a long radio DJ career in Victoria, died of complications of coronavirus at 73 after fighting Parkinson’s disease for a number of years. He also owned a vinyl record shop by the same name at 503 E. North Street for more than three decades. “He was great. He was my best friend and raised me by himself with help from my grandmother and aunt sometimes. He was always there for me, and he was a really good person,” said Ramona Flores, Ruben Flores’ daughter. “I remember growing up, when things were going well, people would come into the store to talk to him, not to buy anything. They just liked to listen to his stories. Whenever people were down on their luck, he was always helping. He said if you have the means to help someone, you should.”
New Orleans, LA | Delfeayo Marsalis Kicks Off KEEP NOLA MUSIC ALIVE With Virtual Concert: “…My dad dedicated his life to growing and promoting New Orleans musicians,” said Marsalis the legendary New Orleans pianist Ellis Marsalis who succumbed to Covid-19 on April 1, 2020 at the age of 85. “Today, the global health pandemic presents a threat to New Orleans’ culture bearers like none before. No less than our centuries-old musical heritage is at risk. With all performance venues shut down indefinitely and the musical tourism industry boarded up, our artists are struggling with both professional and financial uncertainty. Keep NOLA Music Alive was organized to fill a huge void.” …The idea to start the KNOMA initiative arose from a local record store’s tribute to Marsalis’ father. “Peaches Records in Uptown New Orleans, for decades a supporter of local artists and New Orleans music, posted a sign that read, ‘Thank you Ellis Marsalis for Keeping NOLA Music Alive!’ the day after my dad’s passing,” Marsalis said. He developed a plan, assembled a board of directors, and secured lead funding for KNOMA, assuring that 100 percent of all donations go directly to New Orleans musicians and culture bearers.
