Record Store Day 2010 Delivered

Our collective haul from Record Store Day 2010

On Saturday I awoke and obsessively started scanning through Facebook commentary about Record Store Day in which people reported on where they went and what they bought (as of today there are more than 300 comments on a similar post from later in the day). Since I'm on the west coast, I enjoyed taking a look at initial reports from people visiting record stores in Europe and on the East Coast. Some reported long lines and others complained about their disappointment over not being able to get a specific "special" release. This worried me a bit, as I was hoping that people would embrace the concept of just patronizing their local indie record store, regardless of whether or not they were able to purchase a rare Record Store Day item. To me Record Store Day is more about raising awareness about the ongoing relevance of physical music and record stores and if that was its goal then I think it succeeded this year.

As I wrote on Radio Survivor, a number of radio stations joined in the fun this year. Some featured special programming, others had DJs spinning at record stores, and others just hung out at participating stores. I'm sure many college radio DJs were also unofficial participants, as I know many who hit up stores in their regions (and I personally spotted DJs from KZSU and KUSF during my visit to a store on Saturday).

Aquarius Records on Record Store Day 2010

I was thrilled to see that Aquarius Records in San Francisco was jam-packed with music fans loading up on goodies, from the free doughnuts to the limited edition Record Store Day releases. It seemed more crowded than at last year's event and from what I've heard Amoeba Records in San Francisco was also a hotbed of activity. We picked up a number of items at Aquarius, including a Mountain Goats DVD, the special Record Store Day Devo LP (they only had one copy), as well as some other CDs, LPs, and a couple of 'zines.

Grooves Records in San Francisco on Record Store Day 2010

After taking a break for food, we headed over to Grooves on Market Street to do some vinyl shopping. Although they weren't officially on the roster of Record Store Day participants, we wanted to go to support this amazing outpost for records. A handful of shoppers scanned through records, tapes and 8-tracks and we came away with some awesome finds, including a few wine appreciation records (I had no idea...), spoken word poetry LPs, some classic Disney albums for our 4-year-old, and a bust of J.S. Bach from a coin-operated arcade game.

On the blog Her Jazz, college radio DJ Maria Tessa Sciarrino posted an interesting critique of Record Store Day, calling it anachronistic and consumeristic. She writes,

"Record Store Day isn't relevant to right now. But we, collectively speaking, refuse to acknowledge this or attempt to break with past tradition. I'm not calling for the end of record stores, by the way, but I am all for the end of 'holidays' that reek of empty sentiment. If record stores are the genuine article, why are they doing something that is such a sham?"

Although I don't agree with Maria's overall sentiment, I do think that her point about raising questions about the event is valid. During Record Store Day I heard one clerk mention that this was the day for people to visit who don't normally go to record stores 364 days a year. If that's true, than perhaps there could be something a bit hollow about the event if it doesn't lure people into stores the rest of the year. But who knows, these people may actually become regulars after getting a "taste" on Record Store Day. What do you think? And did you partake in Record Store Day this year?

Record Store Day is Tomorrow!

 Gearing Up for Record Store Day in Berkeley

I'm so thrilled that Record Store Day has become a regular event and that it seems to be getting bigger every year. If you haven't already, clear your calendars for the third annual event being held tomorrow, Saturday, April 17th, so that you can spend some time combing through the shelves and bins of your favorite independent record store. Buy some records, CDs, and tapes and embrace the benefits of music that can be held in your hands. You may also get the chance to see live music, have your CDs/vinyl signed by artists, mingle with bands, get some freebies, and bond with fellow music fans.

The Record Store Day website has links to various events happening tomorrow, including the skinny on super-exclusive releases that will no doubt sell out quickly during the festivities.

Last year I went to Aquarius Records in San Francisco and let my then 3-year-old sift through the bargain bins for CDs. She ended up selecting a number of interesting albums, including 2 CDs that were later added (unrelated to her efforts) to current rotation of the radio station where I DJ (months after she chose them). I can't wait to see what she finds this year!

Although some radio stations are doing some Record Store Day-themed programs and events, I haven't heard about anything big being planned by college radio. If you have the low-down on any college radio stations with big plans for Record Store Day, please post your comments below.

For those in the San Francisco Bay Area, a whole bunch of record stores are participating and in particular there's a ton of stuff happening at Amoeba Records in Berkeley and in San Francisco, with signings, live music, and various giveaways.

College Radio Tidbits: Onion's College Radio DJ Profile, Florida College Radio Tops Lists, KSJS College Radio Memories

A few college radio tidbits to share:

Miami Column Tracks College Radio Top 10
A new column in the Miami New Times Crossfade blog called "Dialed In" is chronicling top 10 lists from college radio stations in the South Florida area, including WVUM ("the Voice" at University of Miami), WNSU ("Radio X" at Nova Southeastern University), and WRGP ("Radiate" at Florida International University).

KSJS Radio Memories from the 1980s
I just ran across an a letter to the editor from 2007 in the San Jose Mercury that provides some nice reminiscences from DJs who were at San Jose State's college radio station KSJS in the 1980s.

"During the 1980-1985 years, a bunch of SJSU misfits came together to work at the college radio station, KSJS.

For many of us, we were shy and hadn't felt like we belonged anywhere else. After four years, we became the best of friends and many marriages even emerged from those bonds. Who knew that from that first time we flirted at the KSJS recording studio, my husband and I would now be celebrating our 20-year anniversary. Back then we were late night on-air DJ's (Dede K and Mark Anthony). Today, my husband, who was the more talented one, is currently the news/traffic reporter at KFRC.

Our group of 16 KSJS friends calls ourselves the 'Brew Crew.' (Mainly for the amount of alcohol we consumed at the time.) We have amazing stories to tell - like the times we finagled our way into the SJSU television studios from 2-5 a.m. and made bootleg MTV music videos and our annual SuperBowl Brew Crew parties.

Dede and Mark Nieto, Walnut Creek"

"College Radio DJ Thinks He Has Cult Following" (the Onion)
Oh my goodness, this satirical piece in the Onion poking fun of an influential college radio DJ takes me back to around 2001 when they did a similar profile of "Record Store Girl," a hipster who made all the college radio boys swoon. In their profile of DJ Jordan Haley (supposedly of WEIU at Eastern Illinois University):

"'I'm always mixing it up,' Haley said...'I challenge my audience, and that's why people respond to my show. My success should prove to other radio stations that people don't want to be spoon-fed their music.'

Though 'Rock Blossom' is heard mainly by his girlfriend and a handful of friends who request songs while they get stoned, Haley said his show is distinctive because of his personality...

Another quality that sets Haley apart is his encyclopedic knowledge of underground music.

'A lot of DJs think that if they know Rocket From The Crypt or Burning Airlines, they're up on the alt-rock scene–whatever that is,' Haley said. 'I was the one who introduced Black Dice, The Mink Lungs, and The (International) Noise Conspiracy to the people of the Charleston metro area, so it's understandable why my show would be bigger than [fellow WEIU DJ] Eric [Poppel]'s.'"

Elvis Costello's Two Record Stores in One Day Tour

Elvis Costello Playing Amoeba in San Francisco
(and being fully documented on video, camera phones, etc.)

A few hours ago I caught a live performance by Elvis Costello at Amoeba Records in San Francisco. It's a huge record store (the building used to be a bowling alley) and it was jam-packed with fans who were eager to catch one of Elvis's two free Amoeba shows today. After the show and "meet and greet" (they handed out 81 numbers to people who wanted to have items signed and it was a free for all after that) he will be jetting down south to play at the Los Angeles Amoeba store at 8pm. Along with being able to see an amazing set by a music legend, fans were also able to pick up limited edition posters commemorating the Amoeba shows (free with purchase of the new album Secret, Profane & Sugarcane).

As my friends and I looked out at the sea of faces in the store today (at 12 noon on a Monday), we talked about the beauty of in-store performances. It was great publicity for Elvis Costello's new record and a fantastic way to get music fans into a record store and spending money on physical music.

Additionally, tonight's show is going to stream live at 8pm and both sets will end up being archived on the Amoeba website. So, even if you missed it, you can catch full documentation.

Record Store Day Ruled

Record Store Day at Aquarius Records on Valencia Street in San Francisco

It sounds like Saturday's 2nd annual Record Store Day was a big success. I was happy to get out and buy some new music on a glorious San Francisco Day.

Closed-down Streetlight Records on 24th Street in San Francisco

Before I hit my destination of Aquarius Records, however, I happened to stop by the shuttered Streetlight Records on 24th Street (don't worry, their other locations in SF, San Jose and Santa Cruz are alive and well). It was a sad reminder of why support for indie music shops is so vital.

For the first time in a long time I bought some vinyl (it seemed fitting), picking up the new Bill Callahan release. I also got two CDs: Vashti Bunyan and Damon & Naomi with Ghost. My husband purchased Beck's "One Foot in the Grave: Expanded Edition" and an Okkervil River CD. Even our 3-year-old daughter selected some music. Her picks: Thee Oh Sees, Bottom, and Black Time. She was drawn to Thee Oh Sees by the bat on the cover and the other two jumped out at her as she scanned through a $3.99 bin.

Our Record Store Haul

After I got home, it was cool to see status updates on Facebook and Twitter from friends all over the country who participated in Record Store Day. There are so many ways to bond over music, and devoting an entire day to record stores became an awesome rallying cry for "music that you can hold in your hand."

I hope you got a chance to drop some coins at a record store on Saturday. If you didn't, then go today or tomorrow or this week...but just go!

Tomorrow's Record Store Day Promises Limited Vinyl Releases and Live Bands

I feel like Record Store Day (happening at more than 1000 record shops tomorrow) deserves another post from me, especially after seeing Pitchfork's extensive run-down of events happening all over the world AND their accompanying list of all the Record Store Day special releases that will be available at indie record shops.

And, man, am I jealous of you Midwesterners and East-Coasters who get to partake in Bill Callahan's week-long tour of record stores (as mentioned in a Philadelphia Inquirer piece about Philly events). My desire to pick up his brand-new album will definitely get me to my local indie music store tomorrow (Saturday, April 18th).

In his article for Pitchfork, Douglas Wolk reviews a number of the mostly-vinyl (7"s, 10"s and LPs) very limited releases (including Bad Religion, Black Kids, Camera Obscura, MC5, Smiths, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and many others) that were created for Record Store Day.

There's been a lot of press this year (do a Google Search for "Record Store Day 2009" and you get over 36 million results), so here's a short list of articles covering some of the regional happenings:

Maine events (where Record Store Day began!) in Bangor Daily News
South Florida happenings covered in Miami Herald article
Philadelphia-area events outlined in Philadelphia Daily News
Ventura, California record shop events in Ventura County Star
Dublin-Ireland RSD activities in The Irish Independent
Boise, Idaho events at local record shop in The Idaho Statesman

Some of the event highlights for every region (a sampling from the Pitchfork piece...see their article for many more) include:

Jay Reatard at Goner Records in Memphis.
Bill Callahan performing at New York's Other Music.
The Black Lips at Tucson's Zia Records.
Kim and Kelly Deal at Cincinatti's Shake It Records.
Aesop Rock and Kelley Stoltz at Amoeba Music in San Francisco.
Ra Ra Riot at East Lansing's Flat, Black & Circular.
Silversun Pickups at Rasputin Music, Berkeley
Eagles of Death Metal at Rhino Records in Claremont, CA.
Youth Group and Good Old War at Philly's Main Street Music.
Azita at Laurie's Planet of Sound in Chicago.
Evangelicals, the Uglysuit, Other Lives at Norman, OK's Guestroom Records.
Lair of the Minotaur at Chicago's Reckless Records.
Ladyfinger at Homer's Music and Gift in Omaha.

In related news, KCRW points out that one of the 7"s available on Record Store Day is from a live Grizzly Bear performance over their airwaves.

Record Store Day this Saturday April 19th

Record Store Day is coming up this Saturday, April 19th, with tons of happenings at indie record stores all over the world. I know that locally (for me) Amoeba Records is hosting various events (including a Jello Biafra appearance and The Donnas and Peanut Butter Wolf doing DJ sets) at all of their stores. Visit the Record Store Day website to see a list of participating record stores and think about spending Saturday at your local record shop in order to show your support for indie music purveyors.

P.S. See this related story Indie Stores are Alive and Spinning in The State Hornet.

Support Your Local Record Store! Celebrate National Record Store Day April 19th

Mark your calendars for April 19th, when that vital indie music institution of the record store will be celebrated nationwide on Record Store Day. (Thanks to Tiny Mix Tapes for the heads up on this). Of course locally-run record stores inhabit the same underground network that includes college radio stations, indie record labels, and small music venues, so this is a project worth supporting.

According to the event website: "On this day, all of these stores will simultaneously link and act as one with the purpose of celebrating the culture and unique place that they occupy both in their local communities and nationally."

I think it's really important to shop locally and am a huge fan of independent record stores. I have fond memories of picking up gems in some of my favorite stores over the years--like Plastic Fantastic and the Mad Platter (Mads?) near Philly, Madhatter in Bowling Green, Ohio (RIP) and Aquarius, Streetlight, Record Finder (RIP), Grooves and Amoeba in the San Francisco Bay Area. Think Indie is one record store consortium that promotes buying at small independent retailers and their website has an extensive list of stores all over the U.S.

In semi-related news, here's another piece about the resurgence of vinyl records. "Digital Backlash Drives Vinyl Revival" covers the trend in the context of the 20th annual Eugene Record Convention.

High End mp3 Speakers and Vinyl Revival

I was amused to see a review today of expensive ($400-$700) mp3 speakers, in light of recent discussions of just how bad music sounds when compressed to mp3 format. Sure, mp3 music may sound better on awesome speakers than through iPod headphones or computer speakers, but it's still inferior quality music compared with older formats.

A December 2007 piece in Rolling Stone "The Death of High Fidelity" provides a great overview of just why it is that today's CDs and mp3s don't sound as great as other formats (particularly vinyl). Records are being recorded louder and with limited range, meaning today's listeners aren't getting the same nuances and details that folks heard on high-fidelity vinyl.

So, it's really no surprise that there's been a flurry of trend pieces including "Vinyl Gets its Groove Back" in Time this month and "Vinyl May Be Final Nail in CD's Coffin" in Wired in October 2007 about the resurgence and trendiness of vinyl records as an alternative to compressed mp3 recordings and CDs. Another article this month "Groove Yard: Rockridge shop sustains LP life even after MP3 success" profiles a Bay Area record store that still remains dedicated to vinyl.

If you're an independent musician, college radio DJ, or club DJ you know that vinyl has never gone away and that predictions about its comeback have come and gone. It's notable that a decade ago a New York Times piece "Fans Flock to Vinyl in the Era of CD's" also covered vinyl as an emerging trend. Many college radio stations never stopped playing vinyl, although recent releases are more typically found on independent record labels. This may be changing as even Amazon recently opened an online vinyl store where one can buy releases from the likes of Pink Floyd, Mary J. Blige and The Shins.