Holiday Gift Guide 2013
This music industry is in free fall, but vinyl sales are soaring. In 2012, international vinyl sales were up 18 percent from 2011 and reached their highest total in 15 years. Which means you probably have at least one record fanatic on your holiday shopping list, so why not start close to home? Savvy Vegas bands are embracing the trend and pressing vinyl. Here’s a handy guide to some of what’s available now, and be on the lookout for new wax from Alaska, A Crowd of Small Adventures and Demon Lung in the coming months.
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Caravels
Lacuna 12” (2013), $12; Floorboards 12” (2011), $12; Caravels 7” (2011), $5.
The house-shaking, melodic hardcore vets are carrying on one of vinyl’s coolest traditions by experimenting with all kinds of colors.
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Moksha
Here to Go 12” (2011), $25; Mammal or Machine 12” (2010), $25.
Las Vegas’ preeminent jam band recognizes the value of vinyl, making sure to have plenty of gatefold goodness on hand for fans clamoring around their merch tables on tour.
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Holding Onto Sound
Holding Onto Sound 7” (2011), $6.
What better way to remember Las Vegas’ recently defunct punk-rock anchors than by snagging a copy of their final record and blasting the living hell out of it?
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Jack Evan Johnson & Tristan Moyer
No Sleep ‘Til Nashville 10” (2013), $10.
Dude City man Johnson and ex-Darby O’Gill woman Moyer team for four dust-blown anthems you’ll keep close to the turntable for when you’re alone with a bottle.
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Last Call
Dog Years 12” (2012), $13.
The edgy pop-punkers recently played their debut full-length front-to-back onstage, and you can do the same simply by flipping it over halfway through.
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Same Sex Mary
Sex Cells 12” (2013), $15.
1968? Nah, these Boulder City boys (and gal) are happenin’ right now, with a retro sound perfectly suited for a needle moving through the grooves.
