Had things remained as ‘normal’ today, I would have been stood outside a popular record shop in Newton Abbot called Phoenix Sound, chatting to people who had stood in line since around 2am in order to get their hands on some lovely exclusive vinyl as today WAS the original day for Record Store Day 2020. Owing to the onset of the COVID-19 virus, the once a year extravaganza has been postponed and I was able to have a lie-in (though I’d have rather been stood outside the shop from 6am, taking photos and chatting to the hardcore collectors that travel far and wide to take part in this special event.
Rather than sit here feeling down in the dumps, I thought I’d help you to celebrate the day by recommending some films, documentaries and shows all about the round shiny wax that we LOVE to spin on whatever sound systems we own at home.
So, without further ado, in no particular order, here they are….
In Wax We Trust
While touring his 2016 By Any Beats Necessary album in the US, French DJ Wax Tailor (Jean-Christophe Le Saoût) interviewed owners of small record stores across the country, asking them what drives them, day in and day out, to sell records in an increasingly digital, dematerialised world. The upshot is a 30-minute documentary, released to coincide with the album launch, that provides a soapbox to members of the record community that so persistently exist at its very heart.
Re-Vinylized
"Re-Vinylized" is a 30-minute documentary about independent record stores in Chicago. The film celebrates the culture of independent record stores while examining the effects of downloading and the recent resurgence of vinyl record sales. The documentary profiles a number of Chicago's independent record stores, and features interviews with store owners, employees and customers as well as insightful commentary from national music critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot (of National Public Radio's "Sound Opinions" program). The film was an official selection of the 2012 Chicago International Reel Shorts Film Festival.
Between the Grooves - The Vinyl Resurgence
With vinyl sales on the rise, is it still considered a fad? Take an inside look into the grooves lifestyle!
Gathering Grooves
A documentary style short film about collectors of vinyl records. With this film I hope to shed light on the sentiments that come along with collecting physical records in a world where most music is now streamed or downloaded.
The Tables Are Turning - Vinyl Revival Documentary
Are vinyl records back for good? Watch to find out!
For the Records
When Bob Plotnik quit law to open up a record store in Greenwich Village in the '60s, the only thing he wanted was to get hold of his favorite street doo-wop records ahead of everyone else.
He couldn't have known that the store would still be there nearly 50 years later—that it would survive the introduction of cassettes, CDs and MP3s, outlast CBGB, even stay open after Bob had a huge stroke and handed the store over to his colleagues to run. And though "Bleecker Bob" is identified with some of the great names of rock and roll through the decades, and especially downtown movements from the Village's folk scene through punk, new wave and alternative music, now, time is finally catching up with the oldest record store in the Village.
There are cracks in the black and white linoleum floor. Dust gathers on Bob's collection of art deco clocks, many of which have stopped. Though the landlord of their building on West Third Street has been good to Bob over the years, he's finally putting the rent up in line with prices in the area. Bleecker Bob's is getting priced out. Bleecker Bob's will stay open until the landlord has found a new tenant. When it goes, it will take with it a huge part of the history of the Village. And it looks unlikely to find a new place to open up. Here, meet the people who made the store a New York institution, and watch as they struggle to decide what's next. And, next time you're in the neighbourhood, stop in while you can.
Buy. Sell. Trade - A vinyl records documentary
In a world of iPhones, computers, and MP3s, why vinyl?
Vinyl Fascination (Electronic Beats TV)
Telekom Electronic Beats TV investigates the current resurgence in popularity of the most iconic and recognisable symbol of the electronic music scene - the vinyl record. What fuels this fascination? Why is the relationship between this medium and DJs, producers, artists, label managers, distributors and collectors such a personal one? Hear the thoughts of Claas Brieler (Jazzanova), Steffi (Ostgut Ton, Klakson), Finn Johannsen (Hardwax, Macro), Cinthie (Beste Modus), Marc Schneider (Word & Sound) and more for an insight into this world.
Nothing Leaves The Archive - First Word x The John Peel Archive
In November of 2015, we were invited to visit Peel Acres for the third and final part of our trilogy of Record Store Day releases. Producers Tall Black Guy, Kidkanevil, Eric Lau & Mr Thing spent the day exploring the collection, tasked with finding inspiration and samples from the thousands of records on the shelves. They then each created a new track from their discoveries on the day. The resulting tracks were released on a double 7” pack which was available on Record Store Day 2016. All four tracks on the record were created using music sampled from the John Peel Archive.
BIGGEST Record Collection EVER!
Some Brazilian dude with FAR more money than sense….
"Coming Back to Circular Sound" (Record Store Documentary)
Circular Sound is a second hand record shop in Norwich, United Kingdom. This is a short film about the four guys that work there, how they came to the shop in the first place and why they stay.
Watch bonus scene "Record to Play" here: https://youtu.be/TupHI-byQHo
Drop The Needle Again (A Documentary On Record Store Culture)
"33 Revolutions" - A Documentary about Record Collectors
Back in 2004, Jon Ganahl took an intro to digital movie making class. He turned the task of making a 5 minute doc into a 20 minute conversation with fellow record collectors. Being a long time lover of collecting records (and anything and everything else) he was thrilled to find folks that collect for a myriad of reasons and in completely different ways. Are you the kind of collector that does some selling and trading on the side? The kind of collector who got into vinyl in this latest wave of popularity? Do you know someone who is a cheapskate? It takes all kinds and he was lucky enough to find them.
So there you go folks, some interesting documentaries and programs about record stores, record collectors and the theory behind why vinyl is making such a strong comeback in the world today - we hope you enjoyed them!
Record Store Day 2020 has been postponed to June 20th but with the current lockdown rules, who knows if this date will also be delayed. For more information on RSD2020, keep up to date with happenings at their WEBSITE
If you’re in Devon on the day, head to Phoenix Sound in Newton Abbot, you’ll have to get there early as it attracts a healthy number of collectors on the day!