The undercurrent of American music is rising to the mainstream surface once again. According to Rolling Stones journalist Steve Knopper, “Throwback vinyl sales continue to rise — LPs increased 33 percent in 2013.”
This is the perfect time and platform to have for our 21st Century audiences. This will not just help keep music from previous generation(s) alive and well but it will also reintroduce nostalgic art forms. According to Chicago reporter Nancy Loo this revival of vinyl records is boosting local record shop revenue. Owner of Val’s Halla (Chicago local record store), Val Camilletti, says “Vinyl’s very hot.” Having almost gone out of business, needless to say she is very thankful for new and old customers coming back in. Val graciously said:
“It’s like oh, vinyl’s really cool now. Now, I’ll dig out the old record player. We’ve probably sold more needles in the last year than we’ve sold in the last 15 years. But with young collectors, it’s the music that brings them in, and they plan to keep the records playing.”
So if you are a newbie in the counterculture scene, a great place to start is to support your local record shops on Record Store Day. It’s happening Saturday April 19 this year, do not miss out! There are some great shops right in the neighborhood: Bullseye Records, Rush-Mor Music & Video, and Exclusive Company to name a few. So embrace that inner hipster and keep it spinning.