What Is Record Store Day? 11 Things You Need To Know To Celebrate The Holiday
This year marks the sixth annual celebration of music, music fans and independent record shops known as Record Store Day. In just a few short years, the day has evolved from a clever idea to reacquaint people with independent music stores into a legitimate holiday which those who choose to celebrate it, carefully plan their festivities. This new rite of Spring may be unfamiliar to those whose sole music experience is via digital outlets or even to former brick and mortar store goers who didn't know such a thing existed. If you are among the uninitiated, here is a primer consisting of 11 Things You Need to Know About Record Store Day, to help you get into the spirit of celebrating.
If you are a Record Store Day cognoscenti, please enjoy these suggestions as well and absolutely add in your additional thoughts for new comers in the comments.
1. Exclusive Releases - Each year, the Record Store Day organizers team up with bands and labels to release new and re-issued vinyl and CD's for the holiday. From 7" split singles pairing two artists playing the same song (this year's Deep Purple/Type-O Negative "Highway Star" single) to a big 10 inch record (Mumford & Sons, Live at Bull Moose) to 12" re-issues, mastered for and pressed on 180g vinyl (Phish, Lawn Boy Deluxe). For its most hardcore celebrants, these exclusives are what put Record Store Day on the map from day one. The list of artists participating and genres featured changes every year. It is not a stretch to say these exclusives have single-handedly revived the shaped-vinyl and picture disc formats.
2. Live In Store Performances - There are few things better than a free, live music performance, right? Some of the independent music stores participating in Record Store Day feature live sets from well-known or local artists. Check your local store to see if it is hosting a live act on Saturday.
3. Free Stuff! - We all love free stuff. Each year on Record Store Day I've been lucky enough to get a bunch of free goodies along with my purchase.
Each year it is different and availability will vary by store, but in the past, I've received posters, key chains, even an amazing Trampled by Turtles can koozy. The coolest swag however, are record label samplers, which helped me discover previously unheard artists. Which leads to...4. Learning About New Music - There really is no better day than an annual celebration of music to expand your listening horizons and open your ears to new sounds. Try doing what I do each year on Record Store Day, and take the opportunity to make a blind purchase of music you are unfamiliar with but looks interesting. If an artist, an album cover or its track listing speaks to you, give it a spin! An excellent opportunity to do this when you are on a budget is...
5. Record Store Day Sales - Some retailers may have specials for Record Store Day customers. Take advantage of them! In 2008, on the very first Record Store Day, I spent hours pouring over the stacks of sale CD's at Freakbeat Records in Sherman Oaks, CA. Many of their used CD's were priced as low as a dollar. If your local music retailer offers a sale similar to that, take a chance on some music that is new to you. If you still aren't sure and don't want to make a sound-unheard purchase, you can always...
6. Get to Know Your Local Music Retailer - These folks are always big music fans, just like you and they are there to help. It doesn't matter if it is the manager or the kid organizing the bins after customers mix up albums by Dead Can Dance and Dead Milkmen. Have a question? Need a recommendation? Ask a record store employee, or you can always ask...
7. Meeting Like-minded People - "No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." - Billy Joel. You are going to be surrounded by fellow music lovers on Record Store Day. Listen to their conversations, ask a stranger about what obscure artists they are into and share your suggestions with others if you feel so bold, and don't limit your conversations with people in your immediate vicinity, since...
8. A Social Media Holiday - Record Store Day is a holiday born during and uniquely made for the Social Media Age. Without a doubt, social media, especially Twitter, has played a major part in the increasing popularity of the holiday. Follow the hashtag #RSD13 and you will instantly be a part of the larger Record Store Day conversation.
9. Be One of the New Traditionalists - Like any holiday worth celebrating, Record Store Day has, in its relatively short history, become something which revelers look forward to with growing anticipation as the day approaches. Even if you don't get in line early at your local record shop, or if you are in a locale too great a distance from one, make it a point to celebrate the holiday wherever you are. Tune out distractions and actively listen to music, talk with others about it via social media, or even make a cool vinyl tree. (Someone reading this right now: "Wait, what was that he said about getting in line?!")
10. Get There Early - This is the one caveat of Record Store Day, specifically if you are trying to score one of the limited edition exclusives. People line up early on Record Store Day. Very early. The earliest I have lined up was 5:45 am and there were already a couple people there ahead of me for a 10 am opening. Most of the RSD Exclusives are very limited edition, often 1000 copies or less, which are distributed amongst the hundreds of stores choosing to participate and stock them. My biggest advice to a new Record Store Day attendee is, if you want some of the Exclusive releases, get up early on Saturday, have a folding chair in the car, have your caffeinated beverage of choice at the ready and most importantly, do not dread waiting in a queue! This is the absolute best time to talk to other music fans and to...
11. Have Fun - This is a no-brainer, really. When it comes down to it, Record Store Day should be an annual celebration of music, enjoying it and having fun doing it. Whether you get in line at O-dark thirty, saunter in fashionably late in the afternoon, or stay in your favorite easy chair and just listen to sounds already at your fingertips, now matter how you choose to celebrate Record Store Day, have fun doing it!
If you haven't already, check out The List of RSD 2013 Exclusives, Regional Focus and "Record Store Day First" releases to see if there is something there that tickles your fancy. If you decide to join other music fans at your local shop, awesome! Know that I will be waiting in line or browsing the aisles with you in spirit. If you aren't already, follow me on Twitter and strike up a music related conversation with me (which you can do any time, not just on Saturday). Have a most excellent and very happy Record Store Day! One of the few days that is better than Rex Manning Day. Maybe.
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