Recycled Sounds owners weighs options as end of lease approaches
Knickerbockers has called it a day after more than 23 years, but the adjacent music shop owner isn’t quite ready to follow suit.
Stuart Kolnick has owned Recycled Sounds at its O St location for 12 years, and not once did the prospect of moving arise. Now that his building is being sold, he is scouting locations near downtown Lincoln. He plans to keep the record shop open through its early-January lease, but with the less than 30 days to move, he may be forced to consider an Omaha location.
“I don’t want to leave town, but rental property prices are up considering the new arena,” Kolnick says. “I have more friends fans and available hands in Lincoln. Moving to Omaha means starting with much less.”
One of Kolnick’s main concerns is the sheer size of his inventory, comprised of vinyl, CDs, tapes, posters and more. With roughly 75% of his sales from records, he estimates his stock at more than 50,000 pounds of merchandise.
“Records are bigger today than 12 years ago,” Kolnick says.
To help move everything, he’ll stay open for as long as possible, leaving boxes of discounted vinyl available as he packs the rest of it. Even with recent health issues, Kolnick remains dedicated to landing on his feet.
“I have no retirement plans for at least 20 to 30 years until there’s money in the bank,” Kolnick says. “Even if suitcase full of money happened, I would probably acquire more vinyl and reopen somewhere new.”
Kolnick says he is looking for packing and moving help. Anyone looking to donate boxes, containers or their time can contact him through Facebook here, via telephone at 402-476-8240 or in person during the store’s 1-8 p.m. hours.
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Lazy-i’s Best of 2015 compilation
Nebraska’s longest running music blogger wants to share his 2015 in songs with you.
Lazy-i blogger and HN board member Tim McMahan has revealed the tracklisting for his 21st annual “Best of” compilation, and is holding a giveaway contest. The 20-song compilation features a mix of local and national acts, leaning heavily on the former.
There are three ways to enter: send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com; write a comment on one of his Lazy-i related Facebook posts; or retweet a Lazy-i tweet.
The complete tracklist is below. Head to Lazy-i for more details.
1. Black Eunuch – Algiers
2. The Pattern – Ceremony
3. Horseshoe Crabs – Hop Along
4. The Party Line – Belle & Sebastian
5. Two Weeks – High Up
6. Last Lynching in Omaha – Clarence Tilton
7. Baby Baby Come Home – Freedy Johnston
8. Depreston – Courtney Barnett
9. Party All Night – John Klemmensen & The Party
10. You Got Under My Skin – Simon Joyner
11. Been a Drunk – Sam Martin
12. Cold Inside – Digital Leather
13. Go – The Chemical Brothers
14. What of Me – Domestica
15. My Baby Don’t Understand Me – Natalie Prass
16. The Only Thing – Sufjan Stevens
17. Away From You – Icky Blossoms
18. All My Heart – The Mynabirds
19. Dreams – Beck
20. The Wait – Tobias Jesso, Jr.
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Concert Round-Up
Tonight, Mal Madrigal plays O’Leaver’s with The Sun-less Trio and Ted Stevens. Mal Madrigal is the project of former Omaha resident Stephen Bartolomei. His last full-length, All The Ghosts, was recorded and mixed in Chicago with accomplished alternative/rock producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, Cheap Trick). Bartolomei is back in Omaha for his annual appearance. The Sun-less Trio released its self-titled debut in October. RSVP to the show here.
Also tonight, Pittsburgh indie rock band Run Forever and Springfield, Ill., outfit Looming play Milk Run with No-Getter. Run Forever and Looming are at the front end of a joint nationwide touring venture through mid-January. Both are signed with Huntington Beach, Calif., label No Sleep Records, which released full-lengths from both bands in October and August, respectively. Local poet Jade Lacy will open the show with a live reading. RSVP here.
As always, head to our statewide calendar at hearnebraska.org/events for a full listing of this week’s shows. If you do not see your show or one you plan to attend, email us at news@hearnebraska.org, or add it yourself. And keep those song submissions, story ideas and news tips coming.