Received this news in my inbox, and since it’s my favourite Toronto record store, figured you all should know so you can give them a warm welcome to the ‘hood. Couldn’t be happier to have them here – now I really have very few reasons left to travel north of College St.

On Saturday, September 27, Sonic Boom Records opens the doors at its new home in the historic Robertson Building at 215 Spadina Avenue, just north of Queen St West, in Toronto. Any music fan knows the perils of moving a record collection; in Sonic Boom’s case they’ll be hauling over 75,000 LPs, 20,000 CDs and 20,000 DVDs to its new Spadina location.

Previously located in the Honest Ed’s building, the move comes after the news that the Mirvish Village has been sold and will be redeveloped. While they could have remained in the Annex location for a few more years, Sonic Boom owner Jeffrey Barber fell in love with the space in the Robertson Building and decided to seize the opportunity. “The location is incredible, the size is nearly the same as our current location and the building itself is absolutely beautiful. It really is going to be the same old Sonic Boom, just in a much nicer space.”

While saddened to be leaving the neighbourhood they have called home for the last 13 years, Barber is very excited to have found a space so close to Queen Street. “I’ve noticed Spadina has really been changing in the last few years- cool bars, nice restaurants, tons of foot traffic. I believe Sonic Boom is going to be a great fit in this area. And hey, we’re actually still really close to the Annex, so we hope our local friends keep in touch!”

If you were curious, this infographic from YTD has some interesting stats on the history of recorded music.

The record player is only 84 years old! People actually paid $1000 for CD players back in the day! These random facts might help you win a music trivia contest in the future.

Also, I really, really want to try out those Muzic headphones.

Another giveaway! While the regularly scheduled content will return next week (after CMW madness) I’m sure you don’t mind the opportunity to win more free, awesome stuff.

This one comes care of Mongrel Media, for their new film Under The Skin which has just opened in Toronto. My sister saw it when it premiered at TIFF and she claims it is a total mind bender – I can’t wait to find out for myself.

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

1st Prize

• 2 tickets to see the film during its Toronto run
•  1 copy of the film’s soundtrack on vinyl

2nd Prize

• 2 tickets to see the film during its Toronto run
• 1 copy of the novel the film is based on

3rd Prize

• 2 tickets to see the film during its Toronto run

To win, just subscribe to the newsletter using the form below. If you are already a subscriber and would like to enter, comment below using the email you used to subscribe, so I can verify.

Winners will be contacted via the email they used to subscribe on Friday May 16th.

[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoSWbyvdhHw[/tube]

Hey guys! I decided that, since tomorrow is vinyl nerd Christmas, it makes more sense to give you the rundown of how Toronto is celebrathing this beloved annual holiday today in leiu of TGIF this week – so you can prepaire accordingly.

I am currently on my way back home to Welland to celebrate Easter with my fam – why oh why did this day land on the Easter weekend? Come on, guys… what am I gonna do in Welland to get my fix? No Record Store Day limited editions for me this year. So please, please, enjoy it for me.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening where and when, starting with stores that aren’t going as RSD crazy and ending with the best spot to hit up – so you don’t miss a thing tomorrow. Thanks to my amazing intern Sebastien for putting the list together! Let us know in the comments if there’s a store we missed that you think deserves a shout out.

Neurotica Records

• 642 Queen Street W
• 12 pm – 9 pm
• Neurotica’s website has a ticker of featured and rare vinyls that they have in stock to help the hunting process. Refresh the page a few times to and see if anything there might interest you.

She Said Boom

• She Said Boom has two locations, one at 393 Roncesvalles Avenue, and one at 372 College Street
• They’re open from 11 am – 7 pm at both locations
• They recently promised a forthcoming list of releases on their Twitter (though time is running short), so keep an eye out there for what you might want to buy!

Kops Records

• Kops Records also has two locations, the most well known one being at 229 Queen Street W, and the other at 592 Bloor Street W
• Open from 11 am – 8 pm at both stores
• Kops records has not been forthcoming with details of what will be in stock. I guess that means you’re just going to have to head there to hunt things down. But it’s Kops, so you’d be crazy not to anyways.

Rotate This

• 801 Queen Street W
• 11:02 am – 7 pm
• Unless your ear is much lower to the ground than mine, this is another record store that it seems you’re just going to have to go to to find out what they’ll have in stock. Again though, it’d be hard to believe you weren’t intending on heading down there in the first place.

Play de Record

• 357a Yonge Street
• Open 12 pm – 8pm
• Play de Record has gained a reputation for it’s Unique selection of hip hop and electronic music. With DJ’s spinning music in honour of Record Store day, Play de Record is a necessary stop in your travels and hosts a substantial selection of turntables and DJ equipment, for the gearheads that intend to be out browsing this weekend.

Sunrise Records

• 784 Yonge Street
• 8:30 am – 9pm
• Not only do Sunrise card holders get in early, but if you buy or renew your ID Card that day, you will get a vinyl sticker added to your card. That’s good for your ID Card discount + an extra 10% Off all non-RSD vinyl for the next year.
• Sunrise has been showing off their warehouse stock, which includes Childish Gambino’s Because the internet , Chvrches Recover EP and many others on their facebook page. Give it a gander, and see what tickles your fancy.

June Records

• 662 College Street
• 11 am – 9 pm
• June Records will have DJs spinning music all day to accompany your browsing experience
• So far they’ve released exactly two albums that they’ll have in stock. Frank Zappa’s Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow and Alexander Robotnick’s Vintage Robotnicks. Head down there to see what else they’ll have.

Cabin Fever Collective

• 1669 Bloor Street W
• 8am – 8 pm
• Cabin Fever is pulling out all the stops, and was a serious contender for the number one spot. Not only are they giving out free coffee all day, they have a liquor license in the evening to accompany a live show that includes a performance by Papermaps.
• They’ve been hosting a few contests on their twitter page, with one of the prizes being a chance to be first in the store. They’ve made an effort to bring in as many record store day releases as possible, so this prize may be a boon to those of you with an eye out for that super rare release!

Sonic Boom

• Sonic Boom has two locations, one in the Annex at 782 Bathurst Street, and one in Kensington at 201 Augusta Ave
• The Annex location will be open 10 am – midnight, while the Kensington location will be open from 11 am – 9 pm
• The Annex location, however, is the place to be this year for Record store day. With an event hosted by Chart Attack and Fuelled by Pistonhead Lager, pay a visit to Sonic Boom and be sure to catch any of the free live performances taking place throughout the afternoon. A full lineup can be found on their Facebook page.

As promised, giving away a copy of Broken Bell’s (aka The Shin’s James Mercer and Danger Mouse) latest, After The Disco, on vinyl!

All you have to do to enter is subscribe to TTRO – once a week (starting very soon!) you will receive a roundup of all the new posts on the blog, plus special info only for subscribers. Be sure to click the confirmation email you receive in order to be entered into the giveaway.

A usual, fans of TTRO on Facebook can like/share the post about this giveaway for a bonus entry. 

You have until Sunday April 13th, 2014 at midnight to enter.

The winner will be contacted via the email address used to subscribe. 

 [tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCi4F8GZVqU[/tube]