Saturday April 21st is the 5th annual Record Store Day! When was the last time you visited your local independent record store? Was it last year’s Record Store Day? I hope it hasn’t been that long. Here’s your April challenge, intrepid Color Awesome reader: Get off your blog-browsing butt and into your local record store! No cash? No problem. Many sponsor labels like Merge, Redeye, Rounder and Fat Possum often have free compilation CDs or records. In the past there have been free t-shirts. and eco-friendly shopping bags, too.
Originally conceived by Chris Brown, vice president of operations at Bull Moose Music, in 2007, Record Store Day has grown into a world-wide celebration for independent music retailers across the globe.
“In only five years, Record Store Day has turned into a worldwide party that celebrates real CD stores and the people who shop there,” Brown said.
This year, over 300 CDs and records were produced exclusively for Record Store Day. For a full list of RSD releases, check out this list. The 7″ I’m most excited about is the School of Seven Bell’s “Kiss Them For Me” cover. There are plenty of reissues, too. I’m on the lookout for all the Uncle Tupelo vinyl re-releases.
This year, I’ll be headed back to my favorite local record store, Vinyl Solution for my annual Record Store Day pilgrimage. I’ve known Tommy the owner for longer than I care to admit. According to Tommy, the RSD releases have been pouring in, and he’s got live music and giveaways planned for the festivities on Saturday. Last year there were live bands, free giveaways, the local radio station out front, and great vibes a plenty. My son G won a pretty nifty pair of limited edition Skullcandy ear buds last year. Well that’s enough reminiscing. You can check out the Record Store Day album on flickr.
No independent record stores near you? Screaming kids you can’t find a sitter for? No worries! Visit the best vicariously through Spin’s recent “15 Best Independent Record Stores” article.
Oh, and for a blast from the past, check out my write-up of the first record store day in 2008 where G and I slung Ice Cream for a Metallica in-store.
