Reintroducing the initiative, which was originally launched in 2020, its aim supported the reusability of CDs and vinyls, saving them from the devastating impact of landfills. However, the Covid pandemic initially cut the scheme short – but has been reinstated again.

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Independent record stores such as Rough Trade and Sister Ray are set to pilot the new service that welcomes vinyl records, CDs, and their packaging – no matter the size or condition – for eco-friendly recycling. Vinyl records and CDs are crafted from distinct plastics – vinyl from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and CDs from polycarbonate – both of which can linger in landfills for centuries before breaking down. 

Building on its own insights, Key Production Group has revamped the service in response to the vinyl resurgence and the growing popularity of records among Gen Z – this claim comes from a 2023 study which showed vinyl sales had grown by nearly 15% in the first nine months of the year. Music lovers can easily send their vinyl records and CDs to Key Production Recycling, where they undergo a process known as mechanical recycling. The records and discs are shredded into small fragments, then transported off-site to be melted down. The resulting material is transformed into granules of recycled PVC and polycarbonate, which are then supplied to manufacturers to use in new products. 

The announcement comes in light of an increasing demand for sustainability within the music industry, with vinyl production companies adopting a environmentally-friendly approach. John Service, Strategy and Sustainability Director of Key Production Group commented, “Sustainablity is a vital part of our identity here at Key Production Group and the idea to develop Key Production Recycling was born from our commitment to understanding and managing the lifecycle of physical music products, prompting us to ask: what happens when they can no longer be used. We are so excited to be working with labels and record stores across the country and allow the public to utilise something that is so beneficial in extending a product’s lifespan.” 

Managing Director of Rough Trade, Lawrence Montgomery, continued: “Being able to provide a solution that’s not only sustainable but that will also have a positive impact on the life cycle of a product is really important to us at Rough Trade. Key Production Recycling is and will continue to be beneficial for us at Rough Trade and our facilities and we’re lucky to be able to use this great system!” 

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Record sales are expected to soar again ahead of the 18th edition of Record Store Day April 12. The event will showcase more than 270 independent record shops nationwide, with thousands more participating worldwide. As tradition dictates, the celebration will include a lineup of in-store parties and a tribute to the vibrant culture of indie record stores. 

Butchart has owned Sound It Out Records since 1998, and in that time he has provided old and new vinyl, CD’s and music memorabilia to a large audience of music lovers. Sadly, after his passing in June, Tom Butchart’s wife Clare and the rest of the Sound It Out team have decided to close the shop, which was the last remaining record shop in the area of Teesside, Stockton-on-Tees.

On August 22nd, Clare Butchart released the following statement:

In addition to this, the Sound It Out staff issued a statement thanking the customers, saying that Sound It Out was “more than just a record shop”. They also took the time to thank Tom for the opportunity to work at Sound It Out and be “part of this music community legacy”.

Sound It Out Records stocked and sold music spanning from the 1950’s to present day, and featured a large variety of genres including Punk, Metal, Jazz, Techno, Hip Hop, Funk and much more. The store also provided a space for local DJ’s, as well as supporting local bands and artists by stocking music from all levels of release.

In 2010, Sound It Out Records was the subject of a documentary by Jeanie Finlay. The documentary focuses on how the market for independent music stores has been declining over recent years, and how Tom Butchart and his team strive to stay relevant and successful throughout this shift in how people get their music in today’s society. Finlay grew up only a few miles away from Sound It Out, and beautifully captures how the store is defying the odds and remaining successful through their stance and reputation in their local community.

You can watch the trailer for Jeanie Finlay’s documentary here.

Sound It Out Records have announced they will be using Vectis Auctions, a local auctioneering company, to sell the Sound It Out Records Collection in the coming months. Due to the large quantity of items to be sold, the collection will be sold over multiple auctions. You can find out more about the auctions of the Sound It Out Records Collection on the Vectis Auctions website, and Sound It Out’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Sound It Out Records has made a huge impact on the community of Teesside and has welcomed customers from far and wide, many of which left glowing reviews on their website. It is clear that Tom Butchart had a strong passion for music, as well as the people who entered his store, and through this, his legacy will remain.

Hundreds of exclusive releases have been announced within the official Record Store Day list, including this years RSD ambassadors, The 1975. The band will distribute limited edition LP, CD and Cassette versions of their BBC Philharmonic Orchestra performance of their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of it. The track list also features a version of ‘’Chocolate’’, which features on their EP, Music For Cars.

British Rock band, Rare Birds, will release a compilation of mixes, edits and B-sides from their album, A Flock of Seagulls. Single mixes and edits from their biggest hits ‘’Modern Love is Automatic’’ and ‘’I Ran’’ will appear on the limited edition release. It will also include B-Sides of singles originally on the album, such as ‘’Tanglimada’’ which is the B-Side to ‘’Telecommunication.’’ Alison Moyet – The Other Live Collection, will be an exclusive vinyl release on Record Store Day. The special edition was recorded during her 2017 tour, ‘The Other Tour’ and will include tracks ‘’All Cried Out’’ and ‘’The English U.’’ Bastille will also release a LP version of their Live MTV Unplugged performance, including their chart-topping single ‘’Pompeii’’ and an exclusive cover of ‘’Killing Me Softly.’’

Black Sabbath’s eighth album, Never Say Die, will be released as a special edition LP and be presented on a never-seen-before light blue splatter and transparent vinyl, also including a reproduction of the Ten Year War brochure. Duran Duran will release a collective of carnival remixes and night versions onto a LP format, for the 40th anniversary of their album release, Rio. Sir Elton John is also celebrating an album anniversary, as his sixth studio album Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player, was released 50 years ago in 1973. Exclusive to RSD 2023, the album will be distributed on coloured vinyl in an LP format. The album includes Elton John’s renowned singles ‘’Crocodile Rock’’ and ‘’Daniel.’’ The special edition will include a bonus disc of the album’s session demos.

2020 Rising Star Brit award winner, Celeste, will release a limited edition pink vinyl and six track extended play in celebration of Record Store Day. The EP is titled Lately, and will include an extended version of her track ‘’Strange’’ and her latest single ‘’To Love a Man.’’ The EP is an adaptation of her 2019 Lately EP, which was only released in North America as a limited run promo. In relation to Brits Rising Star winners, the 2015 recipient of the award, Sam Smith, will release a 7-inch vinyl of his track with Kim Petras, ”Unholy.” The vinyl will include the original song, as well as a remix by electronic duo, Disclosure. Jessie Ware will also celebrate RSD with the release of a 7-inch vinyl of her single ‘’Free Yourself.’’ Her fifth studio album, ‘That! Feels Good!,  is set the be released the week after Record Store Day.

Many worldwide renowned artists are celebrating and participating in Record Store Day UK. Fans can expect special edition releases from artists such as Slade, Björk, The Pogues, Stevie Nicks, Madonna, The Cure, Nas, Dolly Parton, Sam Fender, The Police, and many more…

To access the full list of official releases scheduled for the 2023 Record Store Day UK, click here.
To find your nearest record store participating in the 2023 Record Store Day UK, click here.

As part of their role as ambassadors, their live performance at The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra will take place on Saturday 22 April. Their double LP recorded in 2016 features tracks from the band’s early career. Primary songs from different albums include, “Somebody Else”, “Chocolate” and “The Sound”. Participating record stores will be available for release.

The 1975 frontman, Matt Healy spoke about the importance of record stores. He says, “The guys and I are really proud to be ambassadors for Record Store Day this year. Independent record stores are the lifeblood of the music industry and have played a crucial role in our story so far. It couldn’t be more important to support their vital community and culture.”

Previous ambassadors including the likes of Taylor Swift, Noel Gallagher, The Big Moon and Sir Elton John remain dedicated to inspiring the team who run record stores all year.

Though they are not strangers to the cultural environment of record stores, they inspire music lovers to feel the joy of collecting vinyl by creating limited-edition versions of their albums which eventually will be compatible on the shelves of independent shops.

An exclusive white vinyl accompanied the band’s latest album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language. This was specifically made for record shops only plus an intimate performance at Kingston’s Banquet Records, the night before the release.

Ever since its release back in October 2022, their album vastly became the best-selling records in the UK and for the first time in 35 years, vinyl oversells CDs.

Three available formats from The 1975’s release come as follows: a 2xLP clear vinyl in a gatefold packaging, 1xCD and 1x cassette of this album released like never before. It will be available on the counter only and will be participating in RSD shops, on a first come first served basis commencing on Saturday 22 April. Please see below the order of the tracklist:

1. “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It.”

2. Love Me

3. A Change Of Heart

4. Somebody Else

5. Loving Someone

6. Please Be Naked

7. Lostmyhead

8. If I Believe You

9. Chocolate

10. The Sound