Owasso, OK | Couple to open vinyl record, vintage goods store in Owasso: ‘A dream of ours for a long time.’ Local music lovers looking to discover new tunes are in luck. They can soon visit Ben and Rose Sloma’s record store, Screaming Earth Records & Vintage Goods, set to open in Owasso later this month. The Collinsville couple is currently renovating the space that formerly housed BlueGrace Logistics in Cornerstone Shopping Center off of 86th Street to accommodate the new storefront. “Opening a record store has been a dream of ours for a long time,” said Ben, an avid collector of vinyl over the last 10 years.
Petaluma, CA | Trivia night at Paradise Found: Downtown Petaluma’s Paradise Found records has started a monthly music-themed trivia night. Are you proud of your music knowledge and enjoy an opportunity to show off how much you know? Well, downtown Petaluma’s Paradise Found records has started a monthly trivia night and would love to give you a chance to test your know-how against other music nerds right there in the store. Taking place on the second Thursday of the every month, Paradise Found’s Trivia Night offers swag bag prizes (T-shirts, gift cards, stickers and key chains) for its winners, plus free snacks and 10% off record store purchases following the event, which lasts from 6-7:30 p.m. Bring your own chairs and beverages, and get ready to dig deep into the music centers of your brain.
Vinyl records’ role in shaping American ideologies explored: Janet Borgerson and Jonathan Schroeder have recently released a book, which is the final installment in a trilogy devoted to the history of vinyl records. This publication focuses on their role in shaping ideologies of success and the American Dream, using personal development and immersive experiences as a lens. In their profound exploration of the vinyl records era, the authors have recognized themes that include idealized depictions of home, family, romance, and even the assertions of Cold War victories in everyday life and outer space scenarios. These themes are portrayed not only in the music itself but are diligently woven into the album cover art as well. One fascinating observation in their research was the correlation between the color scheme on album covers and the melancholic or uplifting mood expressed in the album. Darker hues were associated with melancholic content, while brighter tones reflected a more joyful mood.
One of the Best Affordable Turntables Gets Its First Real Upgrade in Years: The Audio-Technica AT-LP70X is an upgraded version of one of our favorite entry-level turntables. Audio-Technica’s turntables are pretty unmistakable. They have a modern industrial design — typically in silver and black — that seems to pay homage to the Technics’s iconic SL-1200. Honestly, they just look cool. For the last several years, the company’s AT-LP60X — released in early 2019 — has been one of our favorite entry-level turntables. It looked sleek, was extremely affordable (under $150) and was surprisingly upgradable. Now, Audio-Technica has released a new version, the AT-LP70X, that improves on its predecessor in a few key ways. The Audio-Technica AT-LP70X shares a lot in common with the AT-LP60X. … The phono preamp is switchable, meaning you can turn it off and use an external preamp instead. This is neat for those who may want to upgrade the AT-LP70X sometime in the future.
London, UK | The Vinyl Factory in 100 Records (1-50): The story of The Vinyl Factory label in 100 records. As part of the ongoing The Vinyl Factory: Reverb exhibition at 180 Studios, 100 records have been showcased within an industrial installation designed by Ben Kelly (The Hacienda, Factory Records). The extensive collection, released between 2009 and 2024, is an artwork-led glimpse into fifteen years of vinyl releases from The Vinyl Factory’s label–a platform that represents the symbiotic relationship between art and sound. Boasting releases across the spectrum from artists and musicians including Grace Jones, Christian Marclay, Arthur Jafa, Daft Punk, Nan Goldin, Massive Attack, Mica Levi, The xx, Fred Again and many, many more, The Vinyl Factory back catalogue is testimony to vinyl as an artistic medium–a format that facilitates experimentation and collaboration. In light of the 100 Records installation, VF takes a look at the first 50 records, the stories and artists behind them and the format explorations within.
UK | Inside the physical sales surge including fandom, CD’s resilience and the price of vinyl: The industry has welcomed the incredible turnaround for physical music in the latest market results. Music Week analyses the performance of physical formats in the new edition of the magazine. According to figures for the first six months from the BPI and Official Charts Company, physical album sales increased by 3.2% year-on-year to 8,044,760. It means that physical is on course for its first annual growth in two decades. At the same point in 2023, physical albums growth was still negative (-0.3%), while the 12-month result last year showed a 1.1% drop. A return to annual growth is now a likely outcome. Here, Kim Bayley, CEO of digital entertainment & retail association ERA, digs into the latest physical music trends.
US | Vinyl Record Market is expected to be valued at USD 5.42 billion by 2033: Exactitude Consultancy, the market research and consulting wing of Ameliorate Digital Consultancy Private Limited has completed and published the final copy of the detailed research report on the Vinyl Record Market. Vinyl Records Market size was valued at USD 1.82 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 5.42 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.53% from 2023 to 2033. The primary drivers of the market include rapid urbanization and the adoption of omnichannel retailing practices by vendors, which significantly expand their consumer base. Vinyl records are highly valued by music collectors, audiophiles, and disc jockeys (DJs), who increasingly use them for concerts, shows, and music recordings. Global Vinyl Records Market report provides a thorough evaluation of the market. It offers a detailed analysis of key segments, emerging trends, and critical drivers and restraints. Additionally, the report delves into the competitive landscape and identifies the various factors influencing market dynamics.
Elliott Smith’s XO Deluxe Edition Available on Vinyl for First Time: Featuring every B-side, alternate version, and demo from the recording sessions of the classic album. The deluxe edition of the late Elliott Smith’s major label debut album, XO, is getting its first-ever vinyl release. Limited to 4,000 copies, the 2xLP vinyl features every B-side, alternate version, and demo from the recording sessions of the classic album. It’s pressed on 180-gram brown vinyl and comes with a limited edition lithograph of Smith. Among the songs making their vinyl debut are the bonus cuts “How to Take a Fall,” “The Enemy Is You,” and “Our Thing.” …In his retrospective review of XO, our own Jonah Krueger described the album as “marrying the powerful, barebones artistry he’d honed on his first solo albums with the adventurous nature of his old bands.”
