Record Store Day usually takes place in the spring (well, before the pandemic it did), but in 2011 its organizers launched a Black Friday spin-off. Since then I’ve become increasingly weary of this invented retail holiday. Even though RSD promotes independent brick-and-mortar music shops—unquestionably a good idea—its list of special releases has become saturated with […]
Tag: vinyl
Posted inMusic
Jonn Wallen of Oui Ennui marks his 17th post-COVID record with a live show
Jonn Wallen of Oui Ennui marks his 17th post-COVID record with a live show, the second Make Noise Myanmar comp rallies musicians against the military coup, and more.
Posted inMusic
How to buy records during a pandemic
If you have the money to help Chicago’s record stores stay in business long enough to reopen, here are your options.
Posted inMusic
A Dusty Groove documentary premieres in Chicago
Danielle Beverly’s Dusty Groove: The Sound of Transition tells intimate stories about our deep connection to music.
Posted inMusic
Gifts to teach hip-hop heads their history
Each of these reissues helps unfold a different chapter in the rich narrative of the Chicago hip-hop scene.
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Death-metal crew Warforged drop a kaleidoscopic hurricane of an album
Death-metal crew Warforged drop a kaleidoscopic hurricane of a debut album, Jordan Reyes of Ono and American Damage launches another new label, and more.
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The Maypole Folk Festival builds a big tent
The Maypole Folk Festival builds a big tent, the Goldstars lead a crowded tribute to R&B icon Andre Williams, and more.
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Chicago gets its first vinyl-pressing plant in decades
A look inside vinyl-pressing plant Smashed Plastic, whose brand-new technology could bring relief to labels and artists stymied by long waits for records
Posted inBlogs
Today Andersonville has a record store again
Rattleback Records, opened by a retired elementary school principal who lives in Edgewater, sells new and used vinyl, CDs, and cassettes.
Posted inBlogs
Jamila Woods and Kevin Coval collaborate with Vinyl for a Cause to benefit Young Chicago Authors
Woods contributed a song inspired by a Coval poem about the blues going electric, and Coval enlisted Tasha for a wintertime answer to Woods’s “LSD.”
Posted inArts & Culture
Will the music finally stop at one of the state’s oldest record stores?
Recycled Records features 30,000 records for as little as $2 each, but its owners are ready to move on.
Posted inBlogs
Record Store Day 2018: here’s what Chicago area shops are doing to celebrate
Check out our interactive map and listings detailing the area’s festivities, including discounts, giveaways, in-store performances, and more.
Posted inMusic
La Armada return with an overdue album of Dominican-born hardcore
La Armada return with an overdue album of Dominican-born hardcore, awesomely trashy Indiana punks the Fritz celebrate their debut record, and more.
Posted inMusic
Chicago shoegaze saviors Panda Riot bring their album Infinity Maps to vinyl
Chicago shoegaze saviors Panda Riot bring their album Infinity Maps to vinyl, Dark Matter pairs its monthly limited coffee blend with a cassette of instrumental hip-hop, and more.
Posted inMusic
The Growing Concerns Poetry Collective celebrate their debut again—this time on vinyl
The Growing Concerns Poetry Collective celebrate their debut again (this time on vinyl), power-pop four-piece Gal Gun drop their first full-length, and more.