Boston, MA | Deep Thoughts record store to move from JP to Northampton: The store, which has been a staple in the Jamaica Plain community for over a decade, has customers who are both sad and excited about their move. A new era for Deep Thoughts is upon us. The owners of the psychedelic record store in Jamaica Plain announced on Facebook on Monday that the store is relocating to downtown Northampton. “We very much treasured being in Jamaica Plain for 11 1/2 wonderful years, but the ability to host our business within a healthy commute of our home is an opportunity too good to pass up,” wrote Deep Thoughts JP owners Nick Williams and Alaina Stamatis. They said that the only reason the store remained open for so long, despite their living so far away, was their “amazing” staff. But they hope to become more hands-on again, and “we truly cannot wait!”
Colorado Springs, CO | Three remarkable record stores near UCCS: As a zealous vinyl collector, I’m always looking for new record stores to check out in my free time. I’m a chronic window-shopper with a wishlist of LPs a mile long that I “swear I’ll buy on my next paycheck.” If you aren’t from the area, it can be difficult to break into the record scene in the Springs. This article will guide you to the record stores you should check out first, depending on your personal needs. The Leechpit Records and Vintage – 3020 W. Colorado Ave. Leechpit is my absolute favorite record store due to its wide variety of vinyl in different genres. The store is divided into sections by genre, including punk, pop, hip-hop and soul, with records new and used. This store is famous for its “Keep Colorado Springs Lame” stickers, the highlight of its extensive collection of stickers, punk patches and pins. It also features a collection of unique clothing from crochet vests to floral suit jackets to funky-patterned pants. They recently expanded the store and offer new oddities including vintage games and magazines…
East Windsor, CT | Work in CT: An LP and 8-Track Flashback in East Windsor: An old time record store is enjoying new business and plans to expand. CBug’s Records on Bridge Street in East Windsor is finding that there has been a vinyl resurgence – so much so that Chris Bugbee, who opened CBug’s four years ago, is now planning to expand his store. “There’s definitely a vinyl community out there,” said Bugbee, standing inside his second-floor store that is chock full of LPs and even some 8-track tapes. Bugbee thinks that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the increasing interest in people wanting to acquire albums – of which he has around 16,000 of. Bugbee said, “People started new projects, so I think one thing people got back into were records and just the whole interactive part of it.” Laura Feliciano, who is a business associate at CBug’s Records and oversees the website for the store said, “[With vinyl], you have something you can collect and look at and feel, and it’s tangible—it’s fun to look at the album art.”
UK | Music lovers warned CDs at back of cupboard could be worth thousands: Streaming may have taken over as the most popular way to listen, but many music lovers are still longing for physical copies of their favourite albums. First, it was vinyl records that saw a resurgence in UK record shops, but now CDs are making a comeback. Dealers report that rare albums on CD are fetching their highest-ever prices. While you might not make a fortune from your Britney Spears collection, some of the discs trading for good money may surprise you. For instance, 1980s Eurovision stars Bucks Fizz’s Greatest Hits sometimes sells for as much as £60. It comes after online music marketplace, Discogs, reported a 37pc rise in CD sales during 2020 and that trend has continued to grow, with the format accounting for one in five items sold on the platform by the end of 2022. Some of the highest prices for CDs on the marketplace include a Woodstock festival compilation called Back to the Garden, which sold for a whopping £2,128, a single of Michael Jackson’s Smile, which went for £2,016 and Bob Dylan’s 50th Anniversary Collection which made £1,956.
Wax Heads preview—It’s punk to be kind: Wax Heads is a lovely, cosy record store sim that explores the true meaning of punk. Music is a gateway to whole new worlds. It can be relatable, insightful, shocking, or inspiring. In Wax Heads, it’s a means to connect with an audience, and bridge the barrier between strangers. This upcoming record store sim, which now has a demo available via Steam, brims with cosy good vibes, and a pure understanding that to be punk is to be kind. Music connects us all, and in this game, you’ll experience this first-hand as a clerk in a record store. Wax Heads begins with a brief introduction to a mysterious punk band and their leader, who seemingly vanished from the public eye after a major band split. Only – she hasn’t vanished at all. You’re a staffer at her dedicated record store, where she continues to spread the gospel of punk to awaiting customers. It’s your job to learn more about these customers and their desires, and determine what music can do for them.
Adelaide, AU | Clarity Records Urges Local Musicians To ‘Get in Touch!’ The owner of the Adelaide-based record shop talks supporting local musicians and the importance of a healthy music community. Nestled in the cross-section of Pultney Street and Rundle Street, Clarity Records is an independent music store that prides itself on cultivating a healthy, thriving local arts scene. Run by married couple Matt and Laura Horvath, the store has been in operation for nearly fifteen years, specialising in stocking vinyl in an eclectic range of genres, as well as books, CDs, collectable band T-shirts, and general music paraphernalia. Most importantly, however, Clarity Records makes a concerted effort to support local artists by stocking and selling their music. Matt Horvath, sounding bubbly and cheerful, explains the genesis of Clarity Records as a business. He himself got his start working at an independent record shop called Big Star Records from 2006 to 2010. “It was sort of a dream job for me. I loved it. From working at that record store I essentially learned how to run a record store, but more importantly how not to run a record store.”
Billy Strings Details Listening Parties For New LP ‘Highway Prayers’ At Indie Record Stores: Bluegrass superstar Billy Strings has detailed a series of listening parties for his new album, Highway Prayers, set to take place at indie record stores around the United States on September 24th, 2024. The 20-track album, Strings’ first studio release since his 2022 father-son team-up LP Me/And/Dad and his first solo studio collection since 2021’s Renewal, is due out on September 27th, 2024. The Billy Strings Highway Prayers listening parties will take place at record stores in 33 states as well as Washington, D.C. The one-day-only events will also include unspecified “giveaways.” Start times and giveaways may vary by location. Check your local record store listings for more information. Click below to view a full list of Billy Strings Highway Prayers listening party locations for September 24th, 2024.
Denver, CO | Delays and price hikes at Vinyl Me, Please anger subscribers as Denver record club struggles to right itself: The Denver-based company has sued its CEO and CFO, alleging they diverted money. Vinyl Me, Please, the Denver record club that reissues high-end LPs of classic albums, on Monday acknowledged a “frustrating” production delay that’s preventing customers from receiving their purchases amid complaints about its recent releases. “We greatly appreciate your patience, and we want to provide more transparency on this process and a few updates,” the company wrote in a member email, which directed recipients to an online spreadsheet that now breaks down its orders by “Now Shipping,” “On Time,” or “Delayed.” Vinyl Me, Please blamed the delays on “unintended log jams” of sending projects to different printing plants. Some in the Delayed category have been pushed as far back as nine months. …In the meantime, the company’s business has experienced problems in addition to the shipping delays. Earlier this summer, VMP announced it would end all international membership plans and restrict new releases to domestic shipping starting in October.
Newtown, CT | The Newtown Record Riot! Over 10,000 vinyl records in one room! Sun October 6th, Edmond Town Hall. It’s the return of the Newtown Record Riot, a vinyl record POP-UP sale in Edmond Town Hall. Over 10,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and family fun. LPs, CDs, food & drink. Great community! A giant record store lands in Newtown! Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! LPs and 45s and CDs too. All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. Regular admission starts at 9:30 AM ($5) with early admission at 8 AM ($10). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG! (Food and drink available too!)
