Just like there are all types of music fans, this day is for everyone. You'll see releases from Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Guy, Arcade Fire, Beach House, ABBA (where did they come from?), David Bowie, Cult, James Brown, Jimmy Fallon/TeBowie...it goes on & on. Big or small, all of these artists understand the plight of the independent record store and their necessity in our communities.
The record store was a very integral part of my teen years. I remember going to a local record store every Thursday in my '89 Volvo 740 GL to see what was out there I should be listening to or if they had any new The Cure vinyl and CDs come in the used bin box so I could buy them ALL. I also made friends with some of the people that worked there and eventually started my short-lived retail career in a record store.
At 16, that was the coolest thing ever! Plus, I got to inflict my favourite music on an entire store rather than just my parents, sister and friends.
Every trip I went on...especially when in London (I always hit Berwick Street), there was a stop at a record store. My favourite vinyl covers are from Joy Division.
I always find myself digging back into music at certain points in life. It's integral, it's transformative, it's a basic need. And, with vinyl -- it becomes another type of art. I love cover art and when you give me a coloured vinyl - I can get giddy.
Here are a few fun items you may want to look into on the 21st. Yes, it involves actually going to a store near you, interfacing with clerks and not swiftly clicking a download button. Oh, and if you don't have a record player, you need to get one. Music sounds so great on them! Aside: I'm not going to lie...the last time I saw a CD for sale...I got really confused. This was about three weeks ago.
Here are a few releases that strike my fancy - they may not all be at your local record store and possibly limited quantities -- remember, this is a store with inventory, not a giant warehouse:
- Arcade Fire, Sprawl II {RSD Exclusive Release}
- Animal Collective, Transverse Temporal Gyrus
- Beach House, Lazuli B/W Equal Mind - white vinyl and from their album coming out in May 2012...OMG.
- David Bowie, Starman {RSD Exclusive Release} - 7" picture disc + 7" picture disc w/ clear plastic sleeve + numbered
- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
- Foster the People, Broken Jaw/Ruby {RSD Exclusive Release}
- M83, Mirror, previously unreleased track available
- Sigur Ros, Hvarf Heim, {RSD Exclusive Release}
- St. Vincent, Krokodil, {RSD Exclusive Release}, red vinyl
- The Flaming Lips, The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends
- Pretty In Pink {pink vinyl!} and The Breakfast Club movie soundtracks
- Empire Records movie soundtrack - you could have your own Rex Manning Day!
- Mates of State, Crushes (The Covers Mixtape)
Oberhofer {Kanye West cover included}, School of Seven Bells, Starfucker, Wilco {deluxe box set}, the list goes on and on. Take a peek at more special releases here.
Even if you don't see something you want - do something different and go visit your local record store. You may find something that brings back good or miserable memories. : )
Here's what's going on in Houston -- wow, we have more stores than I thought.
You can see what's going on near you at recordstoreday.com. Happy vinyl hunting! You may want to get your needle checked out, too.
p.s. Let me know what you get in the comments section below...!
p.p.s. If you love live music in a secret setting, you need to check out Songs From A Room. It's a parlor-style music concert that gives you a taste of up-and-coming bands from all around the world in a living room most likely near you. The next Houston one is on Monday, April 30. To be invited, you MUST sign up at sofarsounds.com.
