The difference between Vinyl fans: Then and Now. Industry analyst Russ Crupnick of Music Watch shares his findings about what’s so different about modern vinyl music fans. The new generation of Vinyl buyers are dedicated to the format and represent an opportunity for artists, retail, and device marketers. In 2021, vinyl record sales topped $1 Billion in the US. The last time vinyl sales topped the billion-dollar mark was 1988, when inflation adjusted revenue was $1.2B (RIAA). Between 1989 and the early 2000’s the vinyl format was smothered by cassettes, CDs and digital downloads. After the 80’s it took until 2010 for the vinyl format to show an uptick in sales, though it would take several more years for momentum to really build. There remains an entire generation who grew up during the golden age of vinyl. Some were around for Brubeck’s “Time Out”, released in 1959. Others listened in awe when the album was reinvented, thanks to “Sgt. Pepper” and “Pet Sounds”. Alas, that generation of “Vinyl 1.0” buyers is slowly fading. What if you were born during the vinyl drought, say in the ‘90’s or aughts? That cohort is helping to drive a renaissance we’ll call “Vinyl 2.0”.
Hull, UK | Sushi rolls in and music store turns up the volume at Victorian arcade: A Victorian arcade which is proving to be a launchpad for independent traders has welcomed a sushi street food restaurant and a record shop. Oishii Ne – an Asian street food restaurant and take-away inspired by the Japanese phrase for “it’s delicious” – is the latest addition to Paragon Arcade in Hull. Meanwhile Out of the Attic – a record shop which opened in the arcade in June 2020 has expanded into a double unit with space to display more records, CDs, DVDs and t-shirts. Allenby Commercial, which transformed all the units and attracted a range of niche businesses after buying Paragon Arcade in 2017, will soon announce new tenants for the remaining space. Georgia Allenby, design and marketing manager at Allenby Commercial, said: “Paragon Arcade is all about providing a launchpad for independent local businesses which bring great ideas and fit into the community spirit we have nurtured here.
Midland, TX | Local businesses to give away 5 vinyl records from upcoming artists: The Wagner Noël and Endless Horizon are teaming up to give away 5 vinyl records this Friday in honor of National Vinyl Record Day. Participants will have the opportunity to receive a record from upcoming WNPAC artists set to perform this year. Here’s how you can win a one-of-a-kind record: The records will be from upcoming WNPAC artists, Robert Earl Keen (performing 8/26), Charley Crockett (performing 8/27), Tesla (performing (9/12), George Thorogood (performing 9/14), and Blue October (performing 10/27). On the morning of August 12th, both Endless Horizons and Wagner Noël PAC’s Facebook pages will post an enter-to-win contest page link on each Facebook page for people to enter. Participants who enter prior to August 12th at the Endless Horizons Stor will earn double points, giving them more chances to win a record.
New York, NY | Watches and Music: The Collector’s Approach. David Hurley, an executive with the Watches of Switzerland Group, talks about life with 10,000 vinyl records. When it comes to analog goods, David Hurley’s enthusiasm borders on mania. Not only does the New York transplant (from Cork, Ireland) serve as deputy chief executive of the Watches of Switzerland Group, the largest retailer of mechanical timepieces in the United States and Britain, he also is a vinyl devotee with more than 10,000 records in his collection. “I have CDs on top of it and I’m still collecting cassettes,” Mr. Hurley said on a video call last month from his home in Nyack, N.Y. “It’s an issue. Anytime I speak to my mum, it’s like, ‘More? Why do you need it?’” But as any mechanical watch collector knows, need is beside the point. “When you put on a record, it evokes so many memories,” Mr. Hurley said. “I like having the physical artifact.”
New York, NY | Tower Records To Exclusively Release New Ron English Vinyl Sculpture, “Rabbbit Grin.” Tower Records has announced the exclusive release of a new Ron English vinyl sculpture, “Rabbbit Grin,” available on TowerRecords.com beginning August 12, 2022 at 12:00pm ET. Created in collaboration with sculpting masters, Made By Monsters, “Rabbbit Grin” is a reimagining of New York-based painter, street artist and designer Ron English’s first ever vinyl figure in 2005 which was exclusively available at Tower Records stores. “Rabbbit Grin,” with three eyes, three ears and a now classic Ron English skully grin, is a soft vinyl sculpture that stands 8″ tall and comes with his own vinyl LP record. The figure will be available in a limited edition of 450 units and comes in two variant colors – blue and pink.
Manila, PH | The best OPM vinyl album art of the past 5 years: There has been some iconic record album art throughout Filipino music history. There’s the burning guitar on the cover of Maria Cafra’s one and only album. There’s the brooding black and white photo of the Juan dela Cruz Band’s second album, Himig Natin. There’s the glittering neon of the bars and nightlife of Subic Bay in Gapo. Vol.1. And there’s the sensuous cover of Eva Eugenio’s Tukso that had many a male feeling hot under the collar. Of course, there’s more but we are sure you get the drift. The resurgence of vinyl as a medium for putting music in physical form in these past 10 years has once more underscored the importance of the album art. Along with the warm and fuzzy feel of analogue music, the album art, liner notes, pictures, and inserts complete the vinyl experience especially for a new generation of fans.
Forgotten Formats! The unspeakable joy of the 4-Track cartridge: To celebrate the recent revival of both cassettes and, slowly, 8-Tracks in the world of collectible modern releases, Goldmine goes up to the attic to unearth a few more “forgotten formats” that we might well see turning in a box set soon. The 4 Track cartridge, for a short time, regarded by many as the future of portable music. No, they are not especially well remembered today; and yes, when encountered in a thrift store (*or the attic), they are frequently regarded as a bizarre (or even faulty – what is that big hole in the top where the roller should go?) variation on the 8-Track. But the 4-Track not only preceded its better known cousin, it actually inspired that format to be created. However, whereas 8-Track aficionados can look back at their hero’s demise at the hands of the cassette and say, the smaller tape was victorious because it was cheaper for the record companies to produce, the war with the 4-Track was won fair and square. 8-Tracks really were superior – at least for the purpose they were designed.
