Soundbites: Burlington Record Plant On the Move

Justin Crowther comes across as a humble man. Speaking about the decade-long history of the business he helped launch in the Queen City's South End, the owner and founder of Burlington Record Plant claimed little credit for his venture's accomplishments. "I don't like to talk about legacy or things like that," Crowther said about starting a boutique pressing plant in Burlington in 2014, as vinyl began staging its grand 21st-century comeback. "But if there's one thing I'm proud of, it's coming up with the idea to make the first record ever in Vermont." Crowther concocted that dream while touring with his former band, Waylon Speed. According to him, he knew "jack shit" about the resurgence of vinyl; he just wanted to start something cool and make records for his home music scene. So, with his brother and bandmate Noah Crowther and a handful of friends, Crowther launched Burlington Record Plant, which specializes in printing 12-inch custom vinyl and has manufactured records for artists such as Coheed and Cambria, Eve 6 and Daniel Johnston. One reason Crowther might ponder his legacy now is that, come July, Burlington Record Plant will pick up stakes and move south to Albany, N.Y. The business has been purchased by Equal Vision Records, an independent label founded by punk musician Ray Cappo (Youth of Today, Shelter) that is home to notable punk and hardcore acts such as Hot Water Music, Armor for Sleep and Yellowcard. "I grew up listening to so many records Equal Vision put out," Crowther told me on a recent visit to the plant with his wife and BRP co-owner, Randi-Lynn Crowther. "To join that crew is such a cool feeling." The couple and several of their employees are gearing up to move to Albany this summer to work for Equal Vision. While their business will keep the name Burlington Record Plant, it will be a Vermont company only in name and spirit. "I'm from Burlington and have lived here my entire life," Randi-Lynn said, sitting with Justin near one of the plant's vinyl printing presses. Records of many colors lined the walls, a tapestry of vinyl relating the history of the business. "We built our life and our family here together, but we couldn't pass up an opportunity like this," she continued. "This one is a unicorn." The chain of events leading to the sale began not long before the pandemic,…