When Report Store Day celebrated its 15th anniversary this year, it was a testament to the ongoing revival of the vinyl format. Now, the wildly popular online audio recording database Discogs is taking things a step further by announcing the first ever Independent Record Store Month, which will go throughout the month of June.
Taking its status as the largest online home of independent record stores seriously, the powers that be behind Discogs. com feel a responsibility to bolster the record store community through awareness, education, awareness and representation. That’s why the inaugural Independent Record Store Month was launched, along with a series of virtual events connecting music fans to independent record shops across the globe and honoring the contributions associated with independent brick-and-mortar shops in order to vinyl culture.
Throughout the month-long celebration, there will be the number of goals the particular company will be aiming to accomplish, including making it easier for music lovers to find and support record stores. The Discogs Marketplace is house to thousands of independent sellers around the world and a new digital badge verifies which of these sellers are physical record stores
Discogs has created a global directory of independent record stores designed to inspire songs lovers to visit local shops in person or look for the badge to find stores selling on the internet. The directory provides an extraordinary look into what makes each record store unique while also illustrating trends across borders.
At press time, there were over 1, 000 report stores registered in the directory with nearly 40 countries represented. Over half of registered stores are located outside of the United States.
The special event doesn’t stop with collectors either. Independent Record Store Month will culminate in a virtual conference for participating record stores. All stores that have registered for the new directory site will receive an invite to the online event as well as exclusive data about the record-selling business that only Discogs can provide.
Through their knowledge-sharing and an open marketplace, Discogs has built a global community of followers, sellers, collectors, archivists plus more who are seeking a good elevated relationship with music. These new initiatives debuting concurrently with Indie Record Store Month will continue to highlight distinctive shops, explore trends in the vinyl industry and encourage music fans to support independent record stores in June and beyond.
VINYL OF THE WEEK
Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or even soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists. It might be a re-pressing of the landmark recording, special edition or new collection from a legendary act. This week, it’s the first ever reissue of an important duet LP through the late-60s.
NANCY SINATRA AND LEE HAZELWOOD: ‘NANCY & LEE’
When Nancy Sinatra – the eldest daughter of Frank Sinatra – first met Lee Hazlewood in 1965, she was a demure, 25-year-old divorcée, who was struggling to find her place as an artist amid the changing musical landscape. Yet while the pair hailed from vastly different worlds, they were about to embark on the partnership that would change the course of their lives.
Just months after meeting, Sinatra scored her first No. 1 hit with “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’. ”
Written and produced by Hazlewood, the particular song became her signature tune – transforming her into a confident plus commanding feminist icon. Before long, it seemed only natural for the two to release an entire album together.
Now, archival label Light inside the Attic has released first official reissue of ‘Nancy & Lee, ’ the highly influential 1968 duet album from Sinatra and Hazlewood. It’s the definitive edition of the record, featuring newly remastered audio, a selection of exclusive content, including a new interview with Sinatra and never-before-seen photos. There are also two bonus tracks from the album sessions; a good ethereal cover of The particular Kinks’ “Tired of Waiting for You” and an up-tempo version of “Love Is Strange, ” first made famous by Mickey & Sylvia in 1956.
Upon the release within the spring of 1968, ‘Nancy & Lee’ became a critical and commercial hit on both sides of the Atlantic, peaking at Zero. 13 on the Billboard 200 and No. 17 in the UK. Two years later, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA. More than the decades, the particular appeal of the LP has only grown, while the album has amassed an enduring cult status that few titles achieve. Multiple generations of artists, including Sonic Youth, Lana Del Rey and the Jesus & Mary Chain, have cited it as an influence.
The reissue of ‘Nancy & Lee’ is available in a variety associated with formats, including vinyl, cassette tape, CD, 8-track plus digital. The vinyl is presented in an expanded gatefold jacket and features the iconic, original cover photo by Ron Joy. Inside, a 20-page booklet offers an array of photos from the Sinatra’s personal collection, as well as an in-depth Q& A.
In addition to the traditional black vinyl pressing, a selection of colorful variations – including “Psychedelic Fine sand Wax” and “Sundown, Sundown” gold and clear metal – can be found exclusively through spots like NancySinatra. com, LightintheAttic. net, independent record stores and select online retailers.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to [email protected] com. Also, check out his blog at www.thechroniclesofmc.com.