Record Store Day has become a national holiday for vinyl addicts around the world. It’s a rite of passage to those looking to show off a stellar record collection. Not only are fans getting special releases from their favorite artists, Record Store Day is a way to support that local record store that’s always bringing you the music. And it’s also another way to put a little extra money in the pockets of those artists that find it harder to make a living in today’s digital world.
There is something about a record store that can’t be replicated in the digital world. That live interaction with a store clerk who can recommend music to you on the spot. Digging through bins of records with other music lovers, finding that special release you didn’t think you would find and sharing that with those digging right around you. And just the physical thrill of holding that release, the artwork, credits, lyrics, and the wonderful familiar smell of vinyl. We love the easy access of the digital world, being able to listen whenever and wherever. But a real brick and mortar record store should never be replaced. We should all be supporting our favorite stores.
#RSD15 not only features special releases, but also features parties at your local stores with special performances by some of the greatest artists. It’s a celebration of music!
In our hometown of Atlanta there are special Record Store Day events all around town, including the great experimental folk artist Lonnie Holley playing Criminal Records in Little Five with other special mystery acts expected. Criminal’s owner Eric Levin co-founded RSD in 2007, so this is always a big event with long lines totally worth it.
Just down the street at Wax ‘n’ Facts one of our favorite Atlanta bands, psych rockers Spirits and the Melchizedek Children are playing with Nashville’s Blackfoot Gypsies, and singer/guitarist Kim Ware.
For the full Record Store Day 15 list of releases go here: http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases
More events going on around the nation from the RSD15 website:
“This Saturday, April 18th will mark the 8th annual event and there are parties going on at record stores across the country. Below is a list of just some of the over 600 artists, locally, regionally, and nationally known who will be spending the day celebrating the culture of their indie record store.
Rough Trade in Brooklyn will play host to some noteworthy artists: Kim Gordon will be popping in for a meet, greet and signing of her acclaimed new book, Girl In A Band, while Sub Pop’s Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires rock the house with tunes from their latest (2nd) album, Dereconstructed. The Buzzcocks will also stop in for a signing of their latest, an RSD special release, “The Way,” a 7” from last year’s album release of the same name b/w the previously unissued on vinyl “Generation Suicide” and the newest Daptone signing, Saun & Starr, who provided backing vox on Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings latest RSD special, will play a set at the store, as well.
Merge Records celebrates RSD at Bull City Records in their hometown of Durham, NCwith a full day’s agenda of said label’s much-loved artists, including performances by indie darlins’/supergroup, Ex Hex, label co-founder/Superchunk/Portastatic mainman, Mac McCaughan and William Tyler (Lambchop, Silver Jews, etc…).
Just down the street and around the block at Raleigh’s Schoolkids, Dom Flemons, founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, will be playing a set in support of his special Record Store Day release, What Got Over (10” vinyl) and All Time Low will pop in for a signing of their #1 UK debut, Future Hearts.
Grimey’s in Nashville presents Big Day performances from Those Darlins and The Lees of Memory, both of whom have special RSD releases, along with not-to-be-missed sets fromTurbo Fruits, Halestorm, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, and Jonathan Jackson + Enation, from TV’s Nashville.
Dawes pops in for a set at Portland, OR’s beloved Music Millennium, as does Dead Moonand head west on Burnside to Everyday Music for DJ sets from Laura Viers and Tucker Martine, Steve Turner from Mudhoney and an evening rock set by The Dandy Warholsfollowed by the Dandys doing a DJ set, as well.
Amoeba Hollywood will see no drout of amazing DJ sets either with a boast-worthy lineup including Rick Ross (Delicious Vinyl), TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, Dub Club DJ Boss Harmony and more! Live performances at Amoeba will include Mike Watt + The Secondmen (plus a signing), EV Kain (who will do the same) and Art/Caricature installation by members of the aforementioned TVOTR and a full playbacks of the Sun Records Curated by RSD LP and Fool’s Gold Flying Lessons’ LP. Radiohead’s Philip Selway will do a set up the coast at Amoeba San Francisco, along with DJ sets from Boombostic, Kells Bells, DJ Primo, OkieOran, Beerzbub and Russell Quan.
The amazing Damien Rice performs at Denver’s longstanding outpost, Twist and Shout,Jason Isbell does his thing at Horizon Records in Greenville, SC and the legendary Todd Rundgren graces Little Rock’s Arkansas Record and CD Exchange.
Local H and The Sea and Cake check in at Chicago’s Reckless Records for in-store shows, while Robert Trujillo pops in, as well, for a signing. Asylum Records in Mesa, AZhosts a special set by Gwar and metal trailblazers Morbid Angel check in to meet n’ greet fans at Austin’s Waterloo Records.
And last, but not least, Good Records in Dallas will see performances from the ubiquitous OKGO, as well as from Steve Earle, who is set to release a 10” on New West, an RSD exclusive, Terraplane, inspired by Robert Johnson’s “Terraplane Blues” and featuring both Earle’s and Johnson’s version of the song. Revered songwriter, Chris Stapleton will also rock the store in support of his RSD release, In Stereo, (Limited Run/Regional Focus) on 10”.
For more information on Record Store Day 2015 events (and events at record stores throughout the year, please visit: www.recordstoreday.com)
