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Cassette tape sales are growing quickly

Will tapes become as popular as vinyl has in the last few years?

Sales of cassette tapes are on the rise, heading in the same direction as vinyl.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the organisation that's responsible for awarding gold and platinum status to records, is apparently researching ways of tracking sales as they continue to surge.

Vinyl sales hit 2.1 million in 2015 and it's believed tapes could be well on the way to a milestone if the demand continues.

Touching upon why the interest has returned after so many years, California record label owner, Lee Rickard, said: "Music just sounds different on tape, sometimes as it was originally intended to sound.

"Cassettes are compact, tangible, instant collectables, often with original and numbered artwork — and as cheap as a cup of coffee, so you can support your local artist without buyer’s remorse."

Dutch producer Legowelt and Helena Hauff are just two artists who released work on cassette last year, through labels Nightwind Records and Handmade Birds, respectively.

[Via: Daily Mail]

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter here