The Disc Exchange will close Oct. 1, another victim of digital world: Over the sound of Eric Clapton playing on speakers, Jennie Ingram stood next to a cash register and explained that her record store is closing. “The digital world has hurt our sales a lot,” said Ingram, co-owner of The Disc Exchange. “It’s been fun. The Disc Exchange’s last day in business will be Oct. 1, she said. Ingram and others spoke fondly about the store Friday as the kind of place that started small and grew into a place offering a warm welcome for music lovers.
Barnacle Records is here to stay – shop celebrates its first birthday, The independent record store has become a community hub for emerging artists and musicians: When Barnacle Records first opened in Kamloops, some people questioned how long the independent record store would last. But a year later, Ronan McGrath says the shop has grown beyond what he thought possible…Daybreak’s Jennifer Chrumka dropped by as Ronan was sorting through the latest shipment of vinyl.
Digging in Paradise: A visual tour of Hawaii’s best record shops: In 2009, DJ Muro introduced the world to another side of music produced in Hawaii during the 1970s and ’80s through his mix ‘Hawaiian Breaks’. The music differed from the folkloric sound we imagine when we think of Hawaii, borrowing from the output of mainland America at the time, much of it is best classified as soul, funk, disco, fusion or AOR – listen closely and you’ll hear an island sound…Digging in Hawaii isn’t quite what you might expect, record shops are few and far between and sought after local records are hard to come by.
Charity shop in Huntingdon receives bumper donation from former member of iconic soul group: A former member of The Drifters has donated hundreds of vinyl records to a charity shop in Huntingdon. Maurice Cannon, who was part of the line-up from 2008-11, handed over 250 classic blues and soul records to the Oxfam Books & Music shop in the High Street. Maurice, spent more than 20 years in the American Air Force and settled in Huntingdon in 1993 before joining The Drifters. He won ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes in 1997 and still plays music with his band, The Cannon Quintet.
Vinyl Revival celebrates three years in Lansdowne: Vinyl Revival, 35-37 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, will celebrate its third anniversary Wednesday, Aug. 17, through Saturday, Aug. 20, with special events including a Sexy Scrabble Party, Anime and Pocky Party, a record sale and complimentary refreshments. Vinyl Revival’s anniversary celebration kicks off with a fun mixer event, Sexy Scrabble, Wednesday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. For all adult ages, singles and couples, attendees will play a wild and crazy word game, mix and mingle, win prizes and flirt for points.
Discogs and Qrates discuss collaborative vinyl repress service: A few months ago, we reported that Qrates was teaming up with fellow start up Vinylize.it to facilitate streamlined vinyl-pressing services from Soundcloud. Qrates purports to ease the process of vinyl pressing for smaller labels that often make only marginal profits (at best) on limited-run record pressings through a sophisticated crowdfunding service. In further big partnership news, Qrates has announced that Discogs could also serve as another potential platform for getting vinyl into the hands of those who want it.
‘Reaching critical mass’ all over again, The LP turned out to have longer play than anyone imagined: Vinyl records once again represent the fastest growing segment of music sales, a surprising turn of affairs considering Emile Berliner spun the first flat disc on a gramaphone in 1888. No one could be more pleased with the resurgent trend than that once vanishing breed, the record store owner. Getting set to celebrate a first anniversary Saturday at Barnacle Records on 3rd Avenue, Ronan McGrath is looking at a successful first year in business with a sense that the record renaissance is more than blip in the digital revolution.
Six reasons to visit Exferimentation Brewery in Pontiac: In addition to plenty of beer, Exferimentation has a large vinyl record library. With more than 350 albums in-house, customers can choose from a diverse collection ranging from Father John Misty to Funkadelic. Records from the brewery’s online vinyl list can be chosen and placed in line to be played next. Benton encourages customers to bring their own records to play or donate to the collection.
