Secret Stash Records

Despite being shipped hundreds of warped records last week, we finally have everything in house and assembled for the George Danquah pre-orders. We’ll start shipping them tomorrow. As it turns out, because of the warped record scenario, we are not having an assembly party for this title (sorry, it bums us out too). But, this means that we have some extra pre-order copies available. So, if you were thinking about getting one, you’re in luck. Scoot over to our webstore and reserve a copy before they’re all gone.  Check out the video below to see the finished goods for yourself.

If you’ve ever seen one of our records, you’ve probably noticed a weird little cluster of black boxes on the cover sticker. This image is called a QR Code (quick response code). It’s a very sophisticated type of bar code that was invented by Toyota in 1994 for the purpose of tracking vehicle parts in the manufacturing process. You’ve probably seen them before on airplane tickets and FED EX labels. In recent years people have gotten very creative with the use of these codes. Today just about any smart phone can run a QR reader which allows the user to scan QR codes and deliver content immediately to their device. QR codes are being used to deliver coupons, contact information, and even text messages.

6 or 7 months ago we became very enamored with this technology and starting playing around with ways in which we could harness this technology. It seems like most people use this technology as way to push something on you. We wanted to use it as a way to enhance consumers’ experiences with our brand. That’s what lead to the “listening station sticker” concept. Now every one of our records are stickered with a QR code that delivers a free streaming sample of that record when scanned with a smart phone. The stream is delivered via youtube to avoid any compatibility issues (what smart phone doesn’t work with youtube, right?!).

So next time you are browsing the bins at your favorite record store and come across a Secret Stash release, pick it up, scan the QR and try before you buy. If you don’t like what you hear, don’t buy it!  Check out the video below to learn more….

Check out Part 1 of the “Intern’s Guide to Minnesota Vinyl” – Secret Stash interns Billy and Lee visit Shuga Records and learn about this NE Minneapolis-based record store’s history and plans for the future.

This week the interns checked out Shuga Records in Northeast Minneapolis. Originally known for their major online presence, Shuga moved to a 7,500-square-foot building in 2009 to accommodate their growing business, while also giving local musicians a place to hold shows. Boasting a collection of close to 60,000 records, Shuga is a force in the vinyl community and is an obvious stop for die-hard collectors.

The “Interns Guide to Minnesota Vinyl” was started as a way to showcase the record stores, turntable and accessory retailers, and DJs that operate out of the Twin Cities. Nationally, Minneapolis has a reputation for being a very music-savvy city, so being able to highlight some interesting stories and indie vinyl stores is the perfect way to show the state’s vinyl depth. Over the course of the next several weeks, the “Guide” will provide countless tips and tricks for finding the hippest in all things spinning.

Sorry to call this party so last minute. All of the warped records we’ve received have really thrown a wrench in the works.
Anyhow, for those of you who don’t know at this point, whenever we put out a new record, we open up our facilities to the public. We invite all of the local vinyl fiends to come pitch in on assembling the finished goods (put the records in the jacket and seal ’em). It usually take s a few hours. We provide plenty of free locally made beer and pizza as well as a coopy of the limited edition version of the album to everyone who pitches in. We’ve got a couple of turntables and mixer set up in the office, so we welcome everyone to bring some records to spin for the group.
Come meet the Secret Stash staff as well as other local music enthusiasts.
We only have 15 spots available, so please RSVP to reserve your copy of the limited edition pressing. If you can’t make it right at 6:30, no sweat.
Date: 8/1/11
Time: 6:30Pm
Location: Secret Stash Records
711 W Lake St (lyndale and lake)
STE 211
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-466-2224

Fed Ex is delayed. Our records won’t be here until tomorrow. We’re bumping the party to tomorrow night. Same time, same place.