Either you have heard of it or you have been living under a rock. Record Store Day will take place April 18th nationwide this year. A day that advocates we all go out and support local business, or more importantly local record stores.
On this day independent labels and legendary artists release or re-release great albums specific for this event to get high attendance in local record stores. This year Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl was given the title of Record Store Day Ambassador, which may or may not have zero meaning.
The stage is set for another great year of record buying–until debate arose on the newly developed intentions of such a glorious day. First to speak out was Father/Daughter Records who had Faux Real II (a sequel to Faux Real released last record store day) shot down as an album for release during the event. This shed light on the gained recognition of Record Store Day that now albums are being sifted through and turned down at the expense of independent companies.
If not released through Record Store Day then the already produced music either will never see the light of day or be released out of pocket from independent labels, which some may not afford to do. Not so problematic, as that is the way of business, except the mission of Record Store Day is to aid independent companies. When typically independent labels would be unable to afford getting a prime setup of albums they are putting out in record stores across the country, Record Store Day was a remedy. Now with mainstream popularity, which was the ultimate goal, bigger names are getting the spots that would typically go to albums made on independent labels. An inevitable cycle due to potential profit gain and notoriety.
But at the end of the day these marketing tactics get people out from behind their computer screen and into the record stores that need patrons to keep inspiring great music. Especially in the vinyl revival currently taking place, Record Store Day is at its peak of interest. The whole situation seems muddled due to any controversy but everyone agrees if people are stopping in to these record stores than the mission is complete. So do your part in supporting local and independent business, April 18th head to your local record store!
If you are in the Santa Cruz area Metavinyl located at 320 Cedar St and Streetlight Records located at 939 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz will be participating in Record Store Day so be sure to stop by!