Alec Spicer
Our Editor’s Picks For Some Of The Best New Music In North Texas Include Tracks From Erica Banks, Norah Jones, Mean Motor Scooter And More.
Good news feels few and far in between in the absolutely fucked simulation that is 2020 — especially as Texas is seeing its highest number of cases of the virus that got us into this to begin with.
Even so, there is a glimmer of reprieve for local music scene regulars and fans of vinyl records. Earlier this week, behemoth record store Josey Records announced its acquiring of the music estate of Bill’s Records, owned by Bill Wisener, who died earlier this year.
The news comes as a pleasant surprise, as many wondered what would become of Wisener’s endless collection left behind at his shop on Lamar Street in the Cedars. It’s also a bit of a full circle ending to Wisener’s decades of doling out of vinyl to Dallasites— the team as Josey first got their starts with the Dallas institution back in the late ’80s.
“In a lot of ways Josey Records is an homage to Bill and our time there,” the Josey team said in Instagram post announcing the acquisition. “Our passion for music was born and cultivated there and Josey would not be what it is without Bill and what he did for the history and culture of Dallas music.”
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“Needless to say we are thrilled that his family has entrusted his legacy to us and we will continue to make Josey a record store that Dallas can be proud of,” they continued.
You love to see it.
And speaking of things you love to see: The Dallas County Commissioners Court has ordered a mandatory use of masks when out in public. I know you’re likely feeling the quarantine fatigue, but this is far from over. In fact, projections for Dallas say it could get worse.
I cannot overstate how imperative it is that you don’t slack on safety practices. What kind of social distancing playlist would this be if I didn’t tell you to keep staying home, anyway? Don’t forget to wash your hands!
If you’re a musician in DFW who recently dropped something, or you’re just a fan of local music and think something should be on my radar: please don’t hesitate to put me on at @alecspicey on Twitter or at [email protected].
Cover image by Payton Massey.
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