Stroud, UK | Record breaker: why vinyl’s in the pink: Vinyl record sales are continuing to soar. According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), more than 2.7m LPs were sold in the first six months of 2023 and the tally spelt a rise of 12 per cent from last year. The revival for vinyl had already garnered headlines in 2022, when total sales of 5.5m helped records to their largest share of the market since 1990. And while CD sales that year totalled 11.6m, industry watchers say LPs produced more revenue for the industry – and also point out that BPI figures, which cover a majority of major record labels, do not cover the extent of retail activity. Tom Berry, owner of Sound Records in George Street, says that is certainly the case, given that the resurgence is driven by small, independent labels whose sales are not collated in industry figures. Mr Berry said: “We’ve been here for five years and I now have two staff—business is really good and it’s certainly the case that independent label demand is strong.”
Greenville, TX | ‘Music’s always been my passion’: Greenville record-store owner Scott VanHorne helps promote concert: Helping promote a concert at the Texan Theater is a new project for Greenville record-shop owner Scott VanHorne. But with a vast experience in the music business it’s a project that he’s ready for. “I’ve been in and out of different aspects of the music industry,” said VanHorne, who owns Vandango Vintage Vinyl, which is located across the street from the Texan Theater on Lee Street in downtown Greenville. “Music’s always been my passion. I played guitar when I was young.” He’s been working with Texan Theater owner Barbara Horan to promote a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 11 by Mohama Saz with special guests Sunbuzzed from Denton. Tickets are $45. “Mohama Saz is kind of a psychedelic band,” said VanHorne. “They’re from Spain. At least one of the musicians studied music in Turkey.” VanHorne said Mohana Saz’s sound is in the progressive style of rock music comparable to the Australian band Tame Impala.
NJ | Where to Buy Vinyl Records in Northern New Jersey: There’s a unique thrill that comes from finding a vinyl that’s been missing from your collection. North Jersey is filled with some excellent record shops where you can flip through the albums and bring home a treasure. Not sure where to start? Keep reading for our roundup of the best record stores in Hoboken, Jersey City + beyond. Revival Vintage Boutique | Corner Storefront, 86 Park Avenue: This vibrant vintage shop sells clothing and vinyl records so it’s a great place to live out all kinds of vintage dreams. It’s open on the weekends from 12PM to 6PM and every weekday—except Tuesday—from 1PM to 7PM. If you are a Tuesday shopper, contact the store to make an appointment.
Queens, NY | Pancakes Records opens on Steinway Street in Astoria: When you walk into Pancakes Records, the vinyl records store can feel like more than just a shop. The walls are adorned by posters, old concert flyers and quirky décor that all have a special meaning to the store’s owners, Tanya Gorbunova and AJ Pacheco. The shop, which had its grand opening at 20-77 Steinway St. on July 22, is a place that can become a route to nostalgia for some, and for others, a curious discovery for those who might not have ever perused a record store. Crates of records in their original plastic wrapping and gently used records looking for a new home line the store waiting to be explored. Gorbunova and Pacheco hope for the shop to be like a second home, not just a place to buy and sell vinyl records for the community. “Some people will just walk in and it feels like they’re being hit in the face of history,” said Gorbunova. “And that’s where you get a lot of people that will open up to us and tell us about what music they listen to or their past.”
Memphis, TN | Memphis Record Pressing gears up for Aug. 12 National Vinyl Record Day: National Vinyl Record Day is this August 12, and one of the country’s largest record-pressing plants is looking to celebrate in its hometown. Memphis Record Pressing, which recently underwent a multimillion-dollar expansion that transformed it into the largest vinyl manufacturer by capacity in North America, is marking National Vinyl Record Day with a giveaway for record enthusiasts. In partnership with local record stores Goner Records (2152 Young Avenue, goner-records.com), Shangri-la Records (1916 Madison, shangri.com), and River City Records (101 S. Main St., rivercityrecordshop.com), MRP is giving away a limited-edition, specially-designed National Vinyl Record Day commemorative pin. …“National Vinyl Record Day, obviously, means a lot to us, and we thought this was a fun way to mark the occasion and thank all the vinyl enthusiasts who have helped our industry thrive in recent years,” says MRP CEO and co-founder Brandon Seavers.
Mexico City, MX | From Vinyl to USB: The evolution of Mexico City’s ‘sonideros.’ After being banned in some places, the Mexican capital’s government seeks to have the phenomenon of pop-up street DJs declared an intangible cultural heritage. As 30 people dance to the rhythm of a cumbia in the patio of a bookstore in the center of Mexico City, the sonidero Discos Morelos (José Ortega) studies the atmosphere. A few seconds later, he bends down and drags a box with dozens of vinyl records towards him. “I play with the music and the music plays with me,” he says. He pulls out one album, looks at it and gets ready to put it on the turntable. Next to him, Sonido Continental (Miguel Cruz), livens up the crowd. “Here’s a shout-out to Jorge and to all the people of San Luis Potosi…” This is the phenomenon of the sonideros, the pop-up street DJs that the government of Mexico City seeks to have declared as intangible cultural heritage.
A Rough Guide To: Valuing and Selling Your Vinyl Records: Parting with a particular record can be hard for vinyl lovers – especially if it’s dear to our hearts. Still, many of us look to sell vinyl simply because those records either don’t get enough use or we’re looking to cash in on our valuable collections. But that leaves a rather large question: how do you properly value and sell vinyl to get the greatest return? In this guide, we discuss how to value vinyl and answer all your questions about selling records. How to value the worth of your vinyl records: The first challenge when selling vinyl is understanding the worth of a particular record. This information helps you sell for the right price without underselling or pricing yourself out of the market. Did you know a rare vinyl copy of The Beatles’ White Album recently sold for over £2,000 after being donated to a charity shop? Many factors influence vinyl value, and while it’s recommended to visit a professional evaluator, these factors may give a rough idea of the worth of your records.
Washington, DC | Buy a quality record player on a budget with this expert advice: For the first time since 1987, vinyl albums are outselling CDs and, like many other people, I find myself in the market for a record player. My mom recently announced that she wants to play her vintage John Denver albums and, unfortunately, we got rid of our old Sony stereo ages ago. In theory, it’s a simple task: Walk into a store and choose a player that you like and that fits your budget. But shopping for an all-in-one player or multicomponent system can feel akin to diving down an audio-techno rabbit hole. The insider lingo, such as counterweight, cartridge, preamp and rumble rating, is enough to make your head spin. It doesn’t have to be complicated, though. You don’t need to spend a bundle to get a player of high enough quality that it doesn’t skip or, worse, damage your records, says Quinn Theis, a vinyl specialist at Twist & Shout, one of Denver’s oldest music stores. His advice is to research the basics, assess your needs and then find a retailer with knowledgeable staff.
Barbie Original Soundtrack Gets Multi-Colored Vinyl Release: This Barbie will soon have her own vinyl record. Following Barbie’s record-breaking theatrical run, Waxwork Records presents a colorful vinyl version of the film’s score, composed by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. Titled Barbie Score From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, the vinyl record comes after the original soundtrack dominated various music charts since its release. Complete with five color variations—Rollerblade Barbie, Beach-Off Swirl, Barbie Land Splatter, Neon Barbie Pink, and Weird Barbie Splatter—the latest product is now available for pre-order via the independent record label’s website, and is expected to be shipped out around October of this year.
