Queens, NY | Pancakes Records: A New Melodic Haven Blossoms in Astoria, Queens: Prepare to groove to the rhythm of a new beat as Pancakes Records, a captivating record shop, makes its grand debut on the vibrant streets of Astoria. Nestled in the heart of the community at 20-77 Steinway Street, Pancakes Records invites all music enthusiasts to join in the celebration of its highly anticipated grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 22nd, at Noon. The vision of proprietor AJ Pacheco, Pancakes Records is much more than just a retail space for vinyl aficionados; it’s a harmonious sanctuary that fosters unity, passion, and creativity. Mr. Pacheco’s resounding sentiment is clear: “The store is for the community. It’s a safe space for all of us to share.” Music has an extraordinary power to connect people from all walks of life, and Pancakes Records aims to be the heart of this connection in Astoria.
Cardiff, UK | How a Woman in Wales Saved the World’s Oldest Record Store From Closure: 13 years ago, Spillers was waning—but thanks to Ashli Todd’s intuition, it’s waxing again. Owning and operating a record store was never the career plan for Ashli Todd. Sure, her father Nick ran Spillers Records in Cardiff, Wales, for decades, and she grew up helping out at the shop to earn spending money (it was either that, she explains, or “clean up s–t in the chicken shed”). But Todd insists that taking over was “never discussed as a succession situation,” nor did the part-time employee ever sit around the store thinking of ways to run it differently. So in the late ‘00s, when Nick Todd – facing skyrocketing rent, a divorce and the ongoing nosedive of physical music sales – decided to retire and sell the store, she didn’t for a second consider taking it over. But after several deals with interested parties fell through and her father made moves to shutter the shop permanently, something in her head clicked: This couldn’t happen to a living piece of music history.
Melbourne, AU | The best record stores in Melbourne: Beat’s guide to the crème de la crème of crate digging. There’s no greater pleasure than an afternoon spent rifling through the stacks at a local record shop. Luckily for wax heads, mild enthusiasts and newcomers just dipping their toes into the rapid, winding river that is vinyl obsession, Melbourne has hundreds of shops to choose from.
Denton, TX | Recycled Books and KUZU co-host first-ever Revolution Record Convention: There were thousands of vinyl records locals could purchase from vendors during the first-ever Revolution Record Convention at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center Saturday morning. Local radio station KUZU-FM (92.9); in collaboration with Recycled Books, Records & CDs; hosted the event to celebrate the local radio station’s sixth anniversary. KUZU station manager Peter Salisbury said there were about 26 vendors selling their records and merchandise Saturday. Admission was free, but attendees were able to purchase a $10 early bird ticket to get in an hour before the convention started at 11 a.m. “The turnout has been incredible,” Salisbury said. “We had a lot of early bird folks, and people were lining at the door, waiting to get in…”
Manchester, UK | South Asian exhibition with large vinyl collection opens at Manchester Museum: ‘Request Line’, presented by True Form at Manchester Museum, will feature over 3000 archival records from Oriental Star. Manchester Museum has opened an exhibition dedicated to the South Asian diaspora. ‘Request Line,’ is an exhibition made up of vinyls and other significant objects that were recovered by the True Form archival project when Birmingham-based label Oriental Star closed down in 2017. Oriental Star was founded in 1970 by Mohammed Ayub and his son Dr Abdul Mohsin Mian in Balsall Heath. Beginning as a record store and then growing into a label, the imprint quickly held a strong power over the Desi music scene, as it would import, promote and produce music from India, and nurture local Desi talent in the UK. It helped promote the talents of artists such as Bally Sagoo, Ali Khan and Malkit Singh, and the brand grew to become one of the most influential and significant parts of South Asian culture, history and music in the UK and beyond.
Notting Hill, UK | Lewis Capaldi keeps it low-key as he heads record shopping and stops to take selfies with fans… after cancelling his tour amid his Tourette’s struggles: Lewis Capaldi was spotted heading out to go shopping for records and taking selfies with fans on Thursday, after cancelling his tour due to his Tourette’s struggles. The singer, 26, appeared in good form as he was seen browsing in Rough Trade vinyl store in Notting Hill and chatted to some surprised fans. He kept it casual in dark jeans and a white T-shirt, which he wore underneath a dark jumper, and had his headphones in as he listened to music during the outing. Lewis was seen picking up a vinyl copy of his pal Harry Styles’ album Fine Line as he browsed before buying a whole stack of records, leaving with two bags. The Someone You Love hitmaker was also seen chatting to some fans inside the store, before smiling for snaps as they asked him for a selfie.
The Tom Baker Record Collection: Demon Records have announced a special vinyl collection will be released celebrating the Fourth Doctor as played by Tom Baker. Limited to just 600 and each including a signed print from Tom Baker, the collection celebrates Tom Baker’s unique portrayal of the famous Time Lord, almost 50 years after he made his debut in the role. This limited edition 4 LP vinyl box set mixes thrilling audio drama with interviews and readings by the man himself. Genesis of the Daleks is the original 1979 album version of the TV serial, whilst Doctor Who and the Pescatonsis the made-for-vinyl audio drama first released in 1976. Exploration Earth: The Time Machine is an adventure specially produced by BBC Schools Radio in 1976, and The State of Decay is a unique audiobook reading from 1982. The collection is completed by a selection of BBC radio interviews with Tom Baker made in the 1970s and 1980s.
A collection of classic hip-hop vinyl and memorabilia is set for auction: Get your hands on sealed copies of “Beat Bop” and “The Roxy”. An extensive selection of hip-hop records and memorabilia is going on auction at Sotheby’s. Timed to coincide with hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the auction includes art, fashion, photography, documents, studio equipment, records and other artefacts from hip-hop cultures in the ’70s until today. Curated and organized in collaboration with Monica Lynch, former president of Tommy Boy Records, the audition begins at 12:00 EDT (17:00 BST) on July 25. Some highlights for vinyl collectors include a framed and signed “The Roxy” 7” single by Phase II, a sealed Rammellzee vs K-Rob “Beat Bop” 12″ with artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat and a road case of over 100 records used by Afrika Islam in his early DJ days. Other gems are a selection of 394 sealed cassette tapes and a collection of early DJ Shadow performance flyers.
Open decks: how to make DJing more accessible for everyone: Across the UK, open decks events are making DJing more accessible for people of all skill levels. Here, Joseph Francis speaks to organisers and community members about how creating safe spaces to practise and learn can help boost confidence, encourage members of marginalised groups, unearth new talent, and even change the narrative around what makes a good DJ. Every first Thursday of the month, Lion Vibes record store in Brixton, South London hosts an open decks night. It’s a lowkey thing; punters rock up with a few drinks to enjoy some reggae. Those interested in DJing sign up on an A4 sheet at the front and wait for their 15 minutes on the turntable. No mixing needed — just selecting and dancing.
