CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 6/18/20

I have been thinking a lot about history lately and how we are in the process of writing new chapters right now. In my opinion, nothing tells history truer than music. You can read a stack of books about struggle, but nothing makes you understand it like a song when you can truly hear the fight or the pain and sorrow in a person’s voice. If you share my opinion, then there is no better historical library than your music shop. They guard and protect that history and much like our ancestors before us, they pass that knowledge and history on. They very often are the ones that help provide a platform to the voices of tomorrow as well.  I like to think of our stores as cultural discovery zones, and it is more important than ever to protect those places.
 
This week I wanted to share a link to the Smallbiz live interview between Brandi Carlile and Matt Vaughan of our Easy Street Records.  I remember seeing Brandi perform so many years ago for our group and Matt saying to me, “this girl is the real deal, she is really gonna be something.” He was not wrong… and that is just the thing, there are so many stories like that. I can’t tell you how many record store owners/employees that I owe thanks to for tuning my ear to something new, and I like to think over the years I have paid that forward as well… contributing to that all-important oral (and sonic) history.
 
This interview touches on so many of those points, and Brandi and Matt are a perfect example of that relationship, so I will just let this video speak for itself. You can tell there is a lot of love, and when you are watching the interview, it is actually hard to tell who is the bigger fan of who. I love to see that, it means we are still doing something right.

Here are the charts,
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Haim
Women in Music Part III
(Columbia)
 

Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director
There is a new Haim album so maybe just maybe, summer is going to be okay. I can’t even tell you how much I Iove Haim other than to say I love these girls like they were my own sisters… (I once got asked by a girl at a festival if I was “one of the Haim girls” and I have to confess, it was VERY hard to say no). Plus, they are hella talented too with their songwriting, craftsmanship, and those sister harmonies…. enough said.

WEEKLY CIMS CHART: WEEK ENDING 6/4/20

Last week was RSD Couch Camp, Summer Camp’s first virtual conference.  I would like to say thank you to Music Biz, Portia Sabin, Nick Maiale, Nicole Hennessey and Evelyn Dichter, without you, we could not have pulled this off! Also, a very special thanks to my Co-Camp Counselor Carrie Colliton for all of her hard work to make this event come to life. Of course, it is not quite the same as us all being together in person in New Orleans or Nashville, but it's wonderful to get a chance to connect with many of you, so thank you to everyone that participated in this event. I also had the opportunity to participate on a panel to discuss Indie Retail as part of the annual Secretly Distribution Label Hang, I really enjoyed those conversations, so thank you to Shelly and Irene at Secretly for the invite.
 
We also took a moment for Blackout Tuesday. For some of our stores that meant taking a pause, for some it was getting into the streets, making contributions and taking an opportunity to acknowledge and assess the work that needs to be done in our communities.
 
This week George Floyd was laid to rest. There is so much for me to take in and I am still processing all of it. Mr. Floyd’s life was wrongly taken from him like so many others before him. I have been thinking of his family and friends and the loss they are suffering.  I hope they are able to find a small bit of comfort in knowing that he will not be forgotten. He is a part of something much bigger now. People far and wide have come together to unite and say his name with the demand for justice and change. That gives me hope for a better tomorrow.
 
I recognize that this is a movement, not just a moment, so I am taking the time to listen, reflect, educate myself, to understand others and to take action to be a voice for positive change.
 
I have been reflecting on the many Black lives that have changed my life.
 
Black teachers- that challenged my way of thinking and taught me lessons I will never forget
Black friends- that accepted me without judgment, despite the color of MY skin
Black Leaders-that showed me what it means to be fearless
All of the Black Artists, Musicians and Creators that have influenced and shaped me and have made/ are making the world a more beautiful and inspiring place for us all.
 
It is time for me to give back.

Andrea
 
Here are the charts


Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Sade
Soldier of Love
(Epic)
 

Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director
Listening to this one a lot. If we must fight, let us be soldiers of Love.

WEEKLY CIMS CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 5/28/20

Hi Everyone,
 
We are heading into day two of RSD Summer Camp- Couch Camp Edition.
Yesterday was a great kickoff with lots of great programming and I hope to see more of you today. I would like to thank MusicBiz for partnering with us to make this event possible and helping us to bring everyone together, especially at this time.
 
More on everything else next week, but let’s all keep working together to bring positive change. The time is now.
 
Thanks,
Andrea
 
Here are the charts:

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

WEEKLY CIMS CHART: WEEK ENDING 5/21/20

For the last few years, we have brought you Summer Camp, the only Conference that's designed around record stores and focused on all areas of Independent Music Retail. This is something I have been a part of building from the ground up, and it is one of my favorite projects to work on.  Each year we have grown the conference and this year we were set to have our biggest Summer Camp yet, but sadly this year we are not able to do that.
 
We are however still committed to Indie Retail, so this year we have partnered with Music Biz to bring some of the elements of Summer Camp online. The programming has been designed to be especially focused around helping stores navigate the times we are in and hopefully to come through this even stronger. We are working as fast as possible on this because time is of the essence.
 
If you are a store, label, distributor, vendor, or service provider that touches indie retail in any way, we hope that you will still choose to Camp with us this year.
 
Here is some important info:

COUCH CAMP 
We're taking SUMMER CAMP--the only conference for record stores--ONLINE!  June 2 through 5
 
We'd love to have you join us! Register for the conference here: bit.ly/couchcamp 
 
And if you'd like to help us support and educate record stores, please consider a sponsorship--going fast, only a few opportunities left!!! Reach out to  carriecolliton@recordstoreday.com for more details! 
 
Thanks so much, and I hope to see you at Couch Camp next week.
 
Your Camp Counselor,
Andrea
 
Here are the charts:
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

WEEKLY CIMS CHART: WEEK ENDING 5/14/20

Hi Everyone,
 
How are you all doing out there? Last week we saw some of our stores begin the process of re-opening. Whether officially open to the public or still waiting it out, everyone is finding their new way of retail and working to make their stores feel safe for their staff and customers alike. Record Archive in Rochester has been busy getting ready for when they open the doors, and I wanted to share how they are creatively made their 6 ft indicators fit right into the atmosphere of the store.

On that note, I want to take a moment to say, I know it is somewhat of a controversial issue, but I really don’t get the issue people have with wearing a mask. What is the big deal?! Sure, it is a little bit of a hassle and feels a bit strange, so what. In the grand scheme, it is a small price to pay. We all want to get back to life, to see our friends, to go record shopping!!! We just need to do that responsibly.  What we don’t want is to go through this again, and if we take those simple precautions, it can make a big difference. So please, do it for yourself, do it for others, and let’s help keep everyone healthy and safe.

Okay, on to more exciting music news, Jason Isbell’s new album, Reunions was our top debut last week. This week, it is the number one album at indie retail and made it into the Billboard Top 200! There is always going to be that number one on the chart, but this one is special. I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to Jason Isbell, Thirty Tigers, and the Orchard for putting indie retail first on this one. You really showed us the love and we gave it right back. Congratulations!
 
Have a happy Memorial Day weekend.

Here are the charts,
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Reunions
(Southeastern/Thirty Tigers)
 

Alayna Alderman - Record Archive
I am loving Reunions, the new Jason Isbell record. Not only do I think this is a beautiful record- thought-provoking, sentimental and sweet, but I love the artist behind this record. If the world had more Jason Isbells, who was so gracious with sharing his love and support of indie record stores, we would all be living in a better place.

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 5/7/20

Here are the charts,
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Deeper
Auto-Pain
(Fire Talk)
 

Nick Campbell - ThinkIndie Warehouse Manager
Angular post-punk/garage rock/guitar pop from up Chicago way. FFO Ought, B Boys, and Corridor.

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 4/30/20

Hey Everyone,
 
First of all, this week I would like to start by calling out and saying congrats to two of our members, Twist and Shout and Euclid Records for being 2 of 16 record stores selected by the Pitchfork Staff for their “16 Great Indie Record Stores You Can Support Online” story. It was a great roundup of stores and I was happy to see a few of our stores get that extra love and support. 
 
Here is a link to the full list of wonderful stores to check out if you don’t already know and love them:
 
https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/pitchfork-staffers-recommend-16-great-indie-record-stores-you-can-support-online/
 
I can’t tell you how much it means to me to see the outpouring of love and support for these stores that are such an important part of their communities. So, as things are once again shifting with everything out in the world, please continue to show that love and support.
 
I would also like to send out another thank you to our partners at WEA/ADA for joining forces with our Dualtone X ThinkIndie X Magnolia Record Club T- shirt initiative. They have stepped up to finance manufacturing costs of the shirts so that now even more money can go back to the stores. Again, a huge thanks for that show of support.
 
So, if your record shelves are stocked and you just can’t think of anything else to buy (when has that happened to probably anyone reading this email) then this is another great way to show your support for all independent record stores. They are the life force of what we do!
 
Here is the press release for more details:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 

THINKINDIE SHIRTS LAUNCH TO HELP SAVE LOCAL RECORD STORES THROUGH PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DUALTONE MUSIC GROUP, MAGNOLIA RECORD CLUB, WEA/ADA DISTRIBUTION AND THINKINDIE
 
100% OF NET PROCEEDS OF NEW, THINKINDIE SHIRT GO TO PARTICIPATING STORES

 
(May 5, 2020) Dualtone Music Group, an Entertainment One (eOne) company, has partnered with ThinkIndie, Magnolia Record Club and WEA/ADA Distribution to raise money in support of independent retail record stores through sales of a new, ThinkIndie shirt.
 
All net proceeds will be sent back to participating retails stores, with $1 of each sale going to ThinkIndie Distribution. Each store is expected to receive a minimum of $20  per unit sale. Additionally, WEA/ADA Distribution has stepped up to finance T-shirt manufacturing, allowing additional revenue to flow through to stores. 
Retailers can sign up by emailing info@dualtone.com.
 
Each participating store will receive a unique link to promote the event. Shirt sales generated through that link will be tracked and net revenue will be paid out directly to each store. Revenue coming through the Magnolia store or a non-tracked, generic link will be split evenly amongst all participating stores.
 
There is incredible support for indie record stores from both consumers and the broader music industry. The creation and expansion of Record Store Day and other initiatives have allowed these entrepreneurs to not only survive but thrive in an everchanging retail environment. The current pandemic is only the latest challenge. Owners have been forced to temporarily close their stores to the public and resort to creative alternatives that emphasize a shift to online sales and curbside pickup. 
 
“Independent stores are the lifeblood of so many of our cities’ communities and cultures. These stores have played such huge roles in the development of our bands,” said Paul Roper, Dualtone’s President. “We hope to make a difference and have tried to make it as simple as possible for stores to be involved. We are handling all the fulfillment, manufacturing and accounting logistics. All the stores need to do is push their links. The more the stores promote, the more they will earn. Every artist, label, agent, trade organization in this industry has been positively affected by these stores. Now is our time to give back and participating is simple; please share the links.” 
 
Scott Register of ThinkIndie states, “The legendary Tom Waits put it best when he said, ‘Folks who work here are professors. Don’t replace all the knowers with guessers. Keep ‘em open. They’re the ears of the town.’ ThinkIndie is owned and operated by indie record stores for indie record stores. Indie record retail is what we know, and we will do anything and everything we can to help keep their doors open.”
 
In just over a week, pre-orders of the shirt have exceeded $20,000. Participating stores will be paid by Dualtone every 30 days during the promotion.
 
The shirt retails for $27 and is screen printed on a super soft Tultex Poly Cotton unisex shirt, printed and designed by Yellowhammer Creative. Pre-order is up now at the Dualtone Store and Magnolia Record Club’s Store. 

Here is a list of participating CIMS stores where you can show your support:
 

Cactus MusicCentral Square RecordsDarkside RecordsElectric FetusEuclid RecordsFingerprintsIndy CD & VinylLou's RecordsMagnolia Thunderpussy RecordsMusic MillenniumOmega MusicPark Ave CDsPeaches RecordsPlan 9 MusicPure Pop RecordsRecord ArchiveStreetlight RecordsThe Long EarThe Record ExchangeTwist & Shout RecordsVinyl Renaissance & AudioWaterloo 

 
Thanks and here are the charts for the week,
Andrea


Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 4/23/20

Hi Everyone,
 
Last week marked the loss of Prince Rodgers Nelson: the man, the myth, the legend, and let’s certainly not forget, the symbol. It was also the release of Around the World in a Day. His impact and influence on music are immeasurable. Personally, he is one of the first musicians I remember listening to their albums, and really having that album experience.
 
I should have probably touched on this last week, however- this is the chart for the week ending 4/24, so I felt this was a better fit. Prince’s Around the World in a Day would make its debut to the world on 4/22/85, and if this were 1985, I am sure it would be sitting right at the top of our charts.
 
He was one of my mom’s favorite artists, and we had a thing…anytime a new Prince record was released, we always went on street date to buy it. That was immediately followed by a trip for some ice cream or a milkshake. Then, we listened. My mom would drive us around and we would listen to the entire album front to back before we went home… and if it was really good, we would go for another spin. It was our ritual, and probably my absolute favorite memory of my mother. Still to this day, if I really want to take in an album, I want to drive around and listen to it first.
 
When I heard Around the World in a Day, I went crazy for it. I had never heard anything like it. Prince had created his own Magical Mystery Tour and I was obsessed. In fact, I listened to it so much, my mom eventually had to return to go buy her own copy because I wouldn’t give it up.
 
Here is the funny thing; I was WAY too young to be listening to Prince! I am still not sure what my mother was thinking giving that record to a first-grader. I guess we will just have to blame the 80’s for that. But this week, I am thankful to Prince for the music he shared with the world. I am also eternally grateful to my mother for always encouraging me to discover and challenge myself with music, and of course for corrupting that young mind with the sounds of Prince!
 
Here are the charts,
Andrea


Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Prince
Around the World in a Day
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros.)
 

Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director
Obviously. 

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 4/16/20

Hi Everyone,
 
So, this past weekend was weird, to say the least. It is the first April in well over a decade that we did not have the celebration of who we are and what we do best: Record Store Day. If things were “normal”, which nothing is right now, I would be giving you all recaps of the weekend. There would be plenty of “best day ever” stories I am sure, as we have such a solid line up of RSD titles this year. But as I said, and as you all know, nothing is normal right now. Life as we have previously known it has been put on pause, and I am not sure when we come out of it if things will ever be the same again. We are all having to adapt and evolve to learn to survive, and I am not just talking about the physical music business.
 
But, it is not all bad. I am a person that wants to look for the light in the midst of the dark, and here is what I see:
 
I see our Coalition returning to its roots, as our stores come together to share ideas and support for each other. I see determination, innovation, and creativity. I see an outpouring of love and support from the labels and artists with all of their efforts to spread the message of the importance of our stores. I see music being the thing people are holding fast to right now for comfort and inspiration.
 
To say this is all a challenge is an understatement, and it seems as though the odds are stacked against us. However, I am not one to shy away from a challenge, and I believe we can survive and make it through this, as long as we do it together.

Speaking of working together, our good friends at Dualtone have partnered with ThinkIndie Distribution to design and create a shirt to help promote that message. We are working to launch that today, and they will soon be available for pre-order at 200 retailers around the country. All of the proceeds will go to those stores, so please help us spread the message. We want to make sure that when this is all over, we still have our record stores. This is the year that calls us to remember that “Every day should be Record Store Day”. It is time for us now, more than ever to #ThinkIndie. Let's continue to support and show love to all the small businesses that make our communities unique and, most importantly, the ones that bring us the music. #SaveYourRecordStore
 
Thank you,
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Prince
Sign o' the Times
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros.)
 

Russell Cothran - ThinkIndie Sales & Marketing
Can’t believe u’ve been gone 4 years.  Man, do you know how much ur music enriched mine & so many other’s lives?  All of us music geeks will continue 2 get the funk up. Eye consider ur first 8 years, from ur self/titled debut through ur true masterpiece, Sign o’ the Times, as strong an output of musical goodness as any other artist or band, EVER!  On top of that, add in The Time, Vanity/Apollonia 6, Sheila E., The Family, Madhouse, etc. etc. plus all the songs u gave away, nevermind all the b-sides that effin rocked, who could touch u!  Who else but u could get away with "Bambi" on Ellen?  I guess the light that burns twice as bright, lasts half as long.  RIP Prince…hope to c u again 1 day!

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 4/9/20

Hey Everyone,
 
Here are the charts for the week.

Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Roman Flügel
Garden Party
(Running Back)

Blake Wimberly - CIMS/ThinkIndie Birthday Boy
Here's to celebrating with friends & family in our own garden parties on the other side of this. Until then, here's a lil basket of pick-me-ups from one of my favorites.

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 4/2/20

Hi everyone,

Not a lot to report this week, just busy in the moment and getting through it. Please don’t forget to support your local record store any way you can; they need your love more than ever right now. Lots of stores still doing curbside, online and delivery.

Rob Halford gets it!

Here is the list update for this week: https://recordstoreday.com/Page/9509
 
Here are the charts,
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

John Prine
The Tree of Forgiveness
(Oh Boy Records/Thirty Tigers)
 

Scott Register - ThinkIndie A&R
We lost an icon this week. Lots of our friends out there are hurting and many have found comfort in the musical legacy he left behind. Strangely enough, with all the amazing music that John Prine has made in his storied career, I’ve found myself finding comfort in the arms of his last record, The Tree Of Forgiveness. As much as I liked it while he was living, his death has given the album new meaning to me. The world is going to miss Prine. Not just the artist, but the man even more.

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 3/26/20

Hi everyone,

On a positive note, I am happy to announce that we have added a new member to the CIMS Group; Neat Neat Neat Records in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Previously under the ownership of Morrison Agen, this store was a member of the AIMS coalition. Bob and Chris Roets of Wooden Nickel (already members of the CIMS family) purchased the store at the end of 2019 and we are delighted to add this store to our organization.
 
A little about Neat, Neat, Neat from new owner Bob Roets:

Neat Neat Neat Records opened on the south side of downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana in February 2011.  New/used vinyl along with a selection of stereo equipment was the focus of this small store at the time with the goal of stocking titles the other record stores didn’t have. The store has since expanded twice and now occupies the entire first floor of its building. In 2018 a permanent stage was added for live performances along with an expanded “hi-fi” room and in 2019 a bar was added to serve food and alcohol. Wooden Nickel Records purchased this store and brand in November 2019. Adding a downtown location had been on our wish list for many years and with nearly 40 years in the business, we felt as though this store would satisfy our longtime downtown location wish and we were committed to improving on what was already present.  We have been increasing the already large vinyl and stereo selection, increasing the new/used CD selection and adding new inventory items like t-shirts, guitar supplies amongst many other lifestyle departments that had not been available here. The goal is to have this brand and its unique culture and community coexist with Wooden Nickel Records by offering the same great selection but with a twist different from its Wooden Nickel brothers. Neat Neat Neat Records had been a member of the AIMS coalition for several years and is so stoked to be the newest member of CIMS! The future is bright!

https://www.facebook.com/neatneatneatrecords/
https://www.instagram.com/neatneatneatrecords/?hl=en

Let’s hope that soon we can all be back to visiting and shopping our favorite record stores out there. Until then, please be safe and remember to do what you can to support your favorite independent record store.

Here are the charts,
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Ivy
Apartment Life
(Atlantic)
 

Andrea Paschal - Executive Director CIMS/ThinkIndie
I was so saddened to hear the news about the loss of Adam Schlesinger, so today I am digging into the vaults for one of my absolute favorites. I have listened to this album so many times (listening to it now) and it always sounds like the perfect walk in the sun.

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 3/19/20

Hi Everyone,
 
Well, to say we are in unchartered territory these days seems to be putting it lightly. Almost overnight, not just stores and our industry, the entire country has been turned upside down. It is hard to know where this journey is going to take us all. I have been talking to our stores all over the country and it is a different story for everyone with restrictions and shelters different from town to town.
 
You know the saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention”, well that is definitely true and some of our stores are getting very creative with online efforts, virtual shopping trips, curbside pickup, and even delivery. Matt Vaughan and his son Archie, of Easy Street Records in Seattle, WA. are leading the charge of bringing the music to the people.  I wanted to share the news coverage of that below.  Not only are they delivering music, they are delivering hope and refuge and putting a smile on people's faces during this very difficult time. Amazon may have decided that music is not a necessary item at this time, but Matt, many of our other record store owners out there, and I would tend to strongly disagree. How many times have you heard the line, “That song (or album) saved my life?” I know for me (and probably many of you reading this) at the end of the day, when I am sick to death of the miserable news, the one thing I can always count on to lift my spirits and bring me through it is music.

View the video here

So, during this time, please remember all of those people that bring you the music, and do what you can to support them. We have compiled a list over at recordstoreday.com to try to keep you up to date on the status of the stores and how you can do that. RSD is working to keep that as up to date as possible, so check back often.
 
RSD store status link: https://recordstoreday.com/Page/9509
 
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Top 5 Albums Getting Me Through It
Matt Vaughan- Easy Street Records

5. Black Pumas- S/T
4. The Waterboys- Fisherman’s Blues
3. Cigarettes After Sex- Cry
2. Spiritualized- Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
1. Aretha Franklin- Amazing Grace

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 3/12/20

Hi Everyone,
 
Our hearts are especially heavy this week as we lost a treasured member of our CIMS family, Jim Salzer.
 
Jim opened his first store in Oxnard in 1966. He also had a store in Thousand Oaks from 1969-1972.  The Salzer’s we know today (originally called Salzer’s Mercantile) opened in Ventura, CA in 1972. Salzer's Video was established in 1980 and was known as the first video superstore in the nation.
 
Before over fifty successful years in the music/video business, Jim lived a whole other life. First, as a musician himself, he then turned to life as a concert promoter. He knew and worked with the Doors, the Stones, Jimi Hendrix and many others that are the musical building blocks for most of us.
 
In short… the man was a legend.
 
But beyond and in spite of all that, he was also a good man. He loved his family dearly and was a fixture of his community. If you had the honor of knowing him, this was immediately apparent.
 
I remember my first visit to the Salzer’s compound over 15 years ago, it was at a CIMS convention. As I walked around the stores, warehouse and office, I remember thinking it truly felt like we were in the musical version of the Wonka Factory, and we were all recipients of the golden tickets that day.
 
Over the years, I always looked forward to seeing Jim. I knew our time together would always be full of interesting conversations and amazing stories that often left me looking for a time machine. You could also always count on Jim to give it to you straight. If you ever ran into him on Facebook, you know this to be true. Even if you didn’t always agree with him, it was still going to be a fun discussion.  His passion, intensity, and love for life were evident in everything he did, and nothing will be quite the same without him.
 
I was certain there was a best-selling book in the making with that guy. You know the Dos Equis commercials with “the most interesting man in the world”? The first time I saw one of those, I immediately thought to myself, “That character has got to be based on Jim Salzer”.
 
So, I have one request. At some point today, take a break and pull out your favorite record (the one that brings a smile to your face and really gets you moving) and then just listen… or better yet dance or sing along - whatever feels good. But whatever you do, celebrate the life and times of the Great Jim Salzer. Also, I am pretty certain he would want you to turn it up!
 
To Nancy, Brandon, Sage and the rest of the Salzer’s family- we send you all our love….
 
and Jim, we will catch you on the flip side.

Odetta
"Hit or Miss"
(Polydor Records)

Brandon Salzer - Salzer's Records
Odetta's "Hit or Miss" always reminded me of my Dad and was one of his favorites...

Also, in light of current global conditions, we are working on a collective store status page for all independent retailers that will live onrecordstoreday.com.

This page, once it goes live, will be updated to reflect changes in the stores and will hopefully give you one place to point people as to how to support indie retail during these trying times.

In the meantime, I will send updates for our stores here as they are updated. These are the responses as of this morning but please be aware these are all subject to change.

CIMS Store Status 3-19

Here are the charts,
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 3/5/20

Hey Everyone,
 
I don’t know about you all, but it kind of feels like I am living in the first 20-30 minutes of a sci-fi film…you know, that set-up right before things get crazy. From fires and devastating storms to the mystery virus takeover… it is making me almost nostalgic for the days where Direct Shot was the worst thing we were dealing with... well ALMOST.
 
On a more positive note, we held our annual CIMS Board Meeting in Louisville, KY last week. It was a week of working through issues, exploring ways to solve problems and exchanging new ideas.  Despite everything we are dealing with currently, I came away energized and with quite the extended to-do list!  I would also like to extend a big thank you to our friends Ken, Wes, Warwick, Terri and the rest of the Alliance team for hosting us and making us feel at home at the AEC Distribution center.
 
As we walked down Bardstown Road one night after dinner, I passed a building I immediately recognized, and it reminded me of my first trip to Louisville (I was probably 18 or 19 years old). Long before I knew what CIMS was, I knew the record store Ear-X-Tacy, and I knew I had to go there. It was a long weekend road trip from Birmingham with one of my oldest friends, but to us, it was a pilgrimage.  At the time, I was so very obsessed with what I considered the “Louisville Sound”; Slint, Rodan, The Rachel’s, Sundowners, My Morning Jacket and of course all things Will Oldham… anyway… you get it. There was just something mysterious to me about those bands and their music and it was something I connected with.  I guess I somehow felt if I made it to their town, and inside that record shop, some of those mysteries would be revealed. At the very least, I figured I would probably come home with some really great records- and I did.
 
So, John Timmons- if you are reading, thanks for that experience and that lovely memory. It is probably part of the reason I am here today.

 
Here are the charts.

Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Sharif Laffrey
"Sounds To Come"
(Special Forces Records)

Blake Wimberly - CIMS/ThinkIndie Do-It-All
Here's a smoldering track of lower-fi, trancey techno that actually holds your attention all the way through its 12-minute run. It's no simple feat, but Laffrey is a mastermind when it comes to working in and between space, especially with just a handful of elements. Abrupt pauses, multiple restarts, and odd samples that seem familiar but sit just outside the periphery keep the listener from nodding off into the chasm of repetition. It's made for tiny clubs clogged with random bodies brushing in the dark... or as soon may be the case, your darkest closet filled with your favorite coats (or hazmat suits).

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 2/27/20

Hey Everyone,

I am travelling this week for the annual CIMS Board meetings.

Here are the charts... and y’all don’t forget to wash your hands!

Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 2/20/20

Hi Everyone,
 
This week happens to be one of my favorite weeks of the year: Paris Fashion Week, but not for just the obvious reasons. Even if you don’t consider yourself a person that cares about fashion, the clothes you choose to put on every day are in fact an expression of you are: your interests, what you care about, and how you choose to present yourself to the world.
 
The “things” that I care the most about are: Art, Music, Cinema, and Fashion, which is where the first three intersect and reflect back to us. All of these art forms are what I consider the best ways to document the times we are living in, much more so than the news we watch or read daily.
 
I was just re-watching Fade to Black – which chronicles the making of Jay-Z’s Black Album, the other night. It was such a great glimpse into the creative process. One of my favorite moments of the documentary was when Pharrell is trying to sell Jay on a track- he says “you remember at the end of Carlito’s Way and the guys just trying to get out of the game?” to which Jay-Z responds,  “That’s the speech?!” and a confident Pharrell just smiles and hits play. He earlier told the camera “I am gonna’ get my movie moment!”  This loop is what would later be the basis of “Allure”.  On a later studio visit, a young Kanye brings some beats and gives a similar pitch- there is a moment where he exclaims “this record is not just a record, it’s like the score or soundtrack to scenes from a great movie”
 
For most of us, our music is the soundtrack to our lives…all the moments, big and small.
 
Today’s news is as fleeting as our Instagram stories, so these are the things we will continue to come back to and reflect on and will carry on long after us. You will remember what was going on in your life or the world often by just hearing a certain song or album. Art in any form tells the collective tale of moments and movements, struggles and achievements for us all.
 
I am particularly fond of Paris Fashion week probably just because it is where some of my favorite designers show, and historically the soundtracks to these shows have been a great source for new music for me. I have discovered some of my favorite new artists this way. The first time I heard Cherry Glazerr or Sunflower Bean (when they were but a blip on Soundcloud) or La Femme, or Leon Vynehall…it was all fresh off the runway.

So for my CIMS Pick this week, here are some of my favorite PFW inspired tracks to get you ready for the weekend:
 
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51l48hWGGVvXE3q5JJV6kY?si=l9sGiEuvSQa7eLIn6yimnQ

Here are the charts,
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 2/13/20

Hi Everyone,
 
Last week I made a quick trip to New York for our annual Record Store Day meetup. Every year the co-founders take a couple of days to get together in the same room to meet, discuss issues, work on our annual Summer Camp conference and brainstorm on how to solve the music world’s problems. I always leave reinvigorated with new ideas and ready to get to work.
 
Thanks to our friends at ADA/ BMG, we also got to take in a screening of the new Boom Town Rats documentary, Citizens of Boomtown. There was a Q&A afterwards and my big take away from the evening was hearing Bob Geldof reflect on his career and how so many of songs that he wrote over thirty years ago are still so relevant today. I Hate Mondays was one that immediately comes to mind. He also recalled the evening news story that inspired him to want to do something more- something to really make a change. I love the story of Band-Aid and Live Aid. I probably watch the making of documentary about once a year (admittedly around the holidays). The thing that was so inspiring to me was how this somewhat unlikely character was able to come along and channel all his anger and frustration not to divide or build walls, but to break them down, and to bring people together with music. That is a powerful thing.

Speaking of bringing people together through music, I saw on Twitter today that No Depression polled their staff, industry professionals and musicians to compile a list of 75 of the best record stores across the US. I was thrilled to see that 22 of our CIMS stores made the list!
 
Cactus – Houston, TX  
Central Square – Santa Rosa Beach, FL 
Dearborn Music – Dearborn, MI
Easy Street – Seattle, WA 
Electric Fetus – Minneapolis, MN & Duluth, MN
Euclid Records – St. Louis, MO 
Fingerprints – Long Beach, CA 
Homer’s – Omaha, NE
Indy CD & Vinyl – Indianapolis, IN 
Lou’s Records – Encinitas, CA
Magnolia Thunderpussy – Columbus, OH
Music Millennium – Portland
Park Avenue CD – Orlando, FL 
Plan 9 – Richmond
Pure Pop – Burlington, VT 
Record Archive – Rochester
Record Exchange – Boise, ID
Rockin’ Rudy’s – Missoula, MT
Schoolkids Records - multiple locations
Strictly Discs – Madison, WI 
T-Bones – Hattiesburg, MS
Twist and Shout – Denver, CO 
Waterloo Records and Video – Austin, TX

 For the full list of shops, get the latest issue of No Depression here: https://store.nodepression.com/collections/subscribe?utm_source=CIMS&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=spring20
 
I would like to extend a big congrats to ALL of the shops featured. Some of the most important people in my life, I met through music or in a record shop, so to all the amazing record stores out there, thank you for doing what you do and giving people a place to come together through music. 
 
Here are the charts,
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 2/6/20

Hey Everyone,

I am traveling this week.

Here are the charts,
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
 

CIMS WEEKLY CHART: WEEK ENDING 1/30/20

Hi Everyone,

Man…the hits just keep on coming. This weekend we lost Bill Southard of Ingram/ VPD, a cherished member of our indie retail community.

Bill was a wonderful person with a big personality and an even bigger heart.  He always brought cheer to a room and his love for life was infectious. He was a champion for all of us, and always went the extra mile to be supportive of indie retail over the years. Bill will be greatly missed by so many of us.

I should also mention that Record Store Day will be doing our annual meeting next week. We (Michael, Carrie, Eric Luann and I) will convene in NYC to collect our thoughts and continue planning for 2020. It is always a great way to get the idea wheels turning, and that time together face to face really seems to be the magic that holds it all together.

We will have limited time, but in the wake of losing one of our friends, we want to see as many of our NYC friends as possible. To attempt to accomplish this with only so many hours in a day, we will be hosting a happy hour on Tuesday 2/11 from 5:00-7:30 at Tanner Smiths, located at 204 West 55th Street. Come for a few minutes, come for an hour. If you're in the city next week, so are we! Let's get our faces in the same room! We look forward to seeing you and catching up.
 
Here are the charts,
 
Andrea 

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic