Everyone knows that we are currently in the midst of Easter Weekend. It’s a time of rest, no classes, candy, bunnies, and for some of us a time of religious reflection and celebration. But for some of us this a time for celebrating vinyl and the local independent record store. For any that don’t know, today is international Record Store Day.
I’m confused, what is Record Store Day?
Seven years ago back in 2007 a group of owners and employees from various independently owned record stores decided to make a holiday in honor of the watering hole of music culture: the music store. Record Store Day became a day where independent record stores across, not only the country, but the world would put up limited edition releases for sale from a selection of artists. On this day stores offer live music, free food and drink and various other freebies in light of the festivities. In a nutshell Record Store Day is a day to celebrate everything the independent record store has given to the music community.
So what has the record store given to the music community?
“I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if ya never take it seriosuly, ya never get hurt, ya never get hurt, ya always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends.” – Penny Lane, “Almost Famous”
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CD Reunion in St. Charles, MO. Photo by Annette Schaefer.
“I think these stores are important because we have the variety and, you know, the different genres of music, the different styles of music compared to the major stores; it’s not a big money maker for them, so I think just having the variety of the stuff we have makes a very big impact,” said CD Reunion employee Bill Davis speaking on the record stores ability to reach a wider range of fans.
Every music fan has their own unique relationship with their favorite record store. It can be their place to waste hours digging through the racks hunting for a bit of treasure to add to their budding music collection. It can be a place to meet other fellow music fans, to discover new artists and maybe even discover yourself.
When I spoke to Slackers Team Leader Brooke Smith, she gave a bit of a personal account of her love of the indie record store:
“I feel like a lot of people develop who they are from record stores, I know I did.” – Brooke Smith, Slacker’s St. Charles
Slackers in St. Charles decorates their CD bins with many different music posters. Photo by Annette Schaefer.
But why does anybody even care about record stores anymore when you can just get music for free online?
We live in a culture these days that is used to having easy access to anything anyone could ever want with the convenience of the internet. You can purchase a new outfit, a new piece of furniture, or even your favorite band’s latest album all at the click of a button. So why should anyone care about the tangible format; it’s just a waste time, right? Not everyone thinks this way. There is a whole community of people who can’t stand having anything other than the music they can hold in their hands.
At Vintage Vinyl customers are known to wait outside the store for hours on Record Store Day to ensure they get the opportunity to pick up their desired limited release. Fans and workers alike make a day out of the holiday with live music and free beer all in the name of purchasing music from an independently owned store.
Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis puts up fliers for the yearly event. Photo by Annette Schaefer.
Vintage Vinyl Customer Service Representative Joe Steinman said it best as to why purchasing a hard copy is superior: “Well it’s just lovely to look at, lovely to hear. How can I say it? It’s awesome.”
Yes, I know, everyone says “it sounds better,” but it’s the truth and you can’t argue with facts.
What are you waiting for???
Even if you have never purchased a CD or a vinyl album in your life, what’s a better day to start than on an international holiday for record stores? This event is only for independently owned record stores, so if you show up at Best Buy, you’re just wrong. In the St. Louis area you can hit up stores like Vintage Vinyl, CD/Music Reunion, Slackers, V-Stock, etc. Every store has individual listings of what they are selling and are celebrating in their own unique ways, so hit up a few if you’d like. Today’s a day to celebrate music and those who put that music in our hands, so bust out you wallets and shop wisely!
Also check out Rock It Out Blog’s interview with one the founders for Record Store Day.
The Tracks At Christie Road 