My KUTX: Gold Rush Vinyl’s Caren Kelleher

Michael Minasi/KUTX

Gold Rush Vinyl’s Caren Kelleher

My KUTX // May 13, 2023

With the resurgence of vinyl in the last fifteen years has come a unique problem: not enough of the old vinyl manufacturing equipment and technical know-how to keep up with demand. Add a pandemic on top of that, and suddenly artists and labels were looking at a 12-months-or-more delay for their records. At a time when the vast majority of artists get laughable checks from streaming, vinyl sales help keep them afloat.

Luckily, Austin has its own vinyl pressing plant. Gold Rush Vinyl opened in 2018 via Caren Kelleher, whose decades in the music industry as a band manager and media member bring an artist-friendly angle to manufacturing. Since opening, Gold Rush has worked around the clock, even adding a few more presses this past spring. The plant makes vinyl for Austin’s music community as well as national artists, and it’s become a go-to resource in the fragile music supply chain.

Recently, KUTX teamed up with Gold Rush for our very first compilation on vinyl. The limited-edition double LP celebrates our 10 years on the air with live tracks from Lizzo, Spoon, Khruangbin, Courtney Barnett, Black Pumas and more. And this week on My KUTX, Caren celebrates Gold Rush and our 10 years as our guest DJ. She plays an hour of music that’s pushed her to where she is today. From catching a Beatles classic on The Muppets as a kid to being inspired to move across the country because of a song, Caren testifies to the sheer power of music. Hear Caren’s My KUTX on Saturday, May 13 at 6 p.m. or listen anytime right here.

Playlist:

  1. The Beatles – “Octopus’s Garden”
  2. Jewel – “Who Will Save Your Soul”
  3. Foo Fighters – “My Hero”
  4. Janelle Monáe – “Tightrope” (feat. Big Boi)
  5. The Lighthouse & The Whaler – “Venice”
  6. The Family Crest – “Howl”
  7. Colony House – “Waiting For My Time To Come”
  8. Lizzo – “Coconut Oil” (Live in Studio 1A)
  9. Emily Wolfe – “Holy Roller”
  10. The Vapor Caves – “Sacrifice”
  11. Caroline Polachek – “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings”
  12. Madi Sipes & The Painted Blue – “8:00”

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