Our Spin on
Record Store Day
Dig through our content crates to celebrate black wax and dusty fingers
Saturday, April 18 marks the 8th annual incarnation of Record Store Day, billed as “a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently-owned record stores in the U.S.” and thousands internationally.
As the centerpiece of the day, over 430 new music releases will be unveiled, featuring diverse artists across a broad spectrum of genres, from independent and major labels alike. The majority of the new product is pressed onto vinyl and the exclusive release list is staggering.
Officially, this is a day for “the people who make up the world of the record store — the staff, the customers, and the artists — to come together and celebrate the unique culture… and the special role these independently-owned stores play in their communities.”
In theory this day is a win for everyone — fans, retailers, artists and labels. The reality can be a bit more complex, with issues around uneven economics and industry politics leading some to question whether the event is stronger than ever or becoming irrelevant.
But if you’re a music fan, when you see the care and excitement invested in events planned for important retail outlets like Turntable Lab in New York, it’s hard to not get caught up in the fun.
Below we invite you to dig thru Cuepoint’s Record Store Day coverage, including thoughts on the event itself, stories behind some exclusive releases, plus a few gems that showcase our ongoing appreciation for rotating vinyl.
Columbia House Rules
How the Mail Order CD Racket of the 1980s Made Me a Vinyl Connoisseur
by Mark Davis
