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Record Store Day

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Record Store Day
Observed byRecord collectors, Audiophiles, Music fans generally
TypeCultural
CelebrationsLive performances, cook-outs
DateThird Saturday in April
2023 dateApril 15  (2023-04-15)
2024 dateApril 20  (2024-04-20)
2025 dateApril 19  (2025-04-19)
2026 dateApril 18  (2026-04-18)

Record Store Day was conceived by Chris Brown, employee of the independent record store chain, Bull Moose, located in Maine and New Hampshire and was founded in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally. Record Store Day is celebrated the third Saturday in April.

Record Store Day is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day, and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet and greets with artists, parades, and DJs spinning records. Record Store Day is currently managed by Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Melanie Nipper, Michael Bunnell and Eric Levin.[1]

History

2008

Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day 2008 at Rasputin Music in Mountain View on April 19, 2008. There were approximately 10 special Record Store Day releases in the first year, including releases by Death Cab For Cutie, REM, Stephen Malkmus, Vampire Weekend, the Teenagers, Black Kids, and Jason Mraz. Billy Bragg met Record Store Day co-founder Michael Kurtz in an airport and agreed to help kick off Record Store Day in the UK with a special live appearance. Approximately 300 stores launched Record Store Day in the USA, including Waterloo Records, Silver Platters, Twist & Shout, School Kids Records, Vintage Vinyl,Easy Street, Zia Records, Criminal Records, and Grimey's. The first organized involvement by UK stores included Piccadilly Records in Manchester, Jumbo Records in Leeds, Resident in Brighton, Sister Ray and Rough Trade in London, Rapture in Witney, Oxfordshire, Spillers in Cardiff and Avalanche Records in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

2009

The second annual Record Store Day was celebrated on Saturday, April 18, 2009 with approximately 85 special releases and appearances by the likes of Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Iron & Wine, The Stooges, MC5, Wilco, Disturbed, Killswitch Engage, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, The Eagles of Death Metal. The total number of artist appearances in the US was approximately 500. Wilco's Jeff Tweedy announced that "there would be no Wilco if it weren't for independent record stores" and the band made a surprise appearance on Record Store Day @ the Disc Exchange in Knoxville, TN. Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes announced that he was the official "Ambassador of Record Store Day" and the band made an appearance at Rhino Records. Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced that the City of New York officially recognized Record Store Day as a city-wide event and the judges on American Idol talked about their favorite records in honor of Record Store Day in the episode of American Idol prior to the event. Even though 95% of the special releases made for Record Store Day were for the USA, the event began to grow internationally with over 1000 record stores in the US, the UK, Ireland, Japan, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany all participated in the international event.

2010

The third annual Record Store Day took place on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Them Crooked Vultures' Josh Homme announced that he is the official "Ambassador of Record Store Day" and the band issued a special 10" vinyl record with unreleased music. Blur will release "Fool's Day", their first single since since 2003 for Record Store Day. The Smashing Pumpkins announced that they will kick off their new album with a special Record Store Day concert at Amoeba in Hollywood, CA. Other artists to announce special appearances include Frank Black, Exene Cervenka, Angie Stone, Jason Derula, Alice In Chains, Mastodon, Josh Ritter, HIM, Slash, Sick Puppies, Eagle Us Pets, Care Bears on Fire, and Emmylou Harris. Over 150 special limited edition releases are scheduled for release on Record Store Day including releases from John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Devo, The Flaming Lips, MGMT, Gogol Bordello, Built to Spill, Gorillaz, The Rolling Stones, LCD Soundsytem, Terrible Things, Ani DiFranco, Hold Steady, Muse, Credible Threats, Modest Mouse and Josh Ritter. The official book of Record Store Day 2010 is "Last Shop Standing: Whatever Happened to Record Shops by Graham Jones".[1] KCRW's Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo released their book "Record Store Days" about independent record stores, with artist quotes provided by www.recordstoreday.com used throughout the book, with a chapter devoted to Record Store Day. NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced that New York City will once again honor the day.

Record Store Day was also celebrated by giving young artists an opportunity to showcase their talent in the form of a national "Record Store Day, High School Battle of the Bands" link title. Local, participating independent record stores nominated one local high school band by picking a cut from the band's supplied recording and entered their name and song cut into the contest. A panel of record executives and members from the Fender Corporation judged the entrants. Nine national semi-finalists were chosen to appear on a limited edition, compilation vinyl LP of their winning songs. Pressed by Gotta Groove, the LP features digital convenience. On record Store Day, April 17th 2010, it was announced that the grand prize winning band was SANUK link title, an indie band of HS students from Indianapolis, Indiana. They received a generous prize package of musical gear from the Fender Corporation and recording time with recording greats - Jack Ponti and Kevin "The Caveman" Shirley. SANUK [2] was championed by their local record store, Indy CD & Vinyl. The sponsors of the contest were Caroline Distribution and EMI link title Label Services, Fender[3], and Fender Music Foundation. Aside from the Band Battle contest, many participating record stores had a line-up of live talent performing throughout the day.

In 2010, more than 1,400 independent record stores participated in the unofficial holiday. More than 1,000 were from the US alone. Record stores saw a 41% increase in sales over the previous year's celebration, and a 109% increase over the previous Saturday's sales.[2]. [3].

Record Store Day has become such a nationally recognized event in the USA that it was even referenced on "Saturday Night Live."[4].

References

  1. ^ www.lastshopstanding.co.uk
  2. ^ "Record Store Day a $ucce$$". Hits Daily Double. April 20, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  3. ^ "Record Store Day is 'more important' than Christmas". LA Times. April 21, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  4. ^ "Record Store Day on SNL". SNLs Weekend Update. April 18, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)