National (Independent) Record Store Day
I’m pretty excited about this. From the official website Record Store Day — it says that a ton of independent record stores across the country, from Newbury Comics to the corner vinyl shop, are invited to participate on April 19, 2008. Rumor suggests that “music, video and gaming will all take center stage with each store doing something different to celebrate including sales, in store performances, demonstrations, swap meets or an ‘afternoon at a record store’ promotion, as well as, provide info on new formats and releases. The goal is to showcase everything that makes an indie store unique.”
And omg omg omg omg, Brett Netson from Built To Spill offers his two cents also!:
“The local record store is a cultural event. Every purchase you make, every day, every year, it is a rich cultural history in the making. Go down to your favorite shop and grab some coffee, a nice pastry and then head in to the record store for the ultimate recorded experience. Maybe see some friends. Next thing you know you just had a nice afternoon.
Go to one of those big box stores and get the full assault.
Bright sterile fluorescent lights and all that fake, old timey crap on the walls that drives home the point that this is an approximation of an experience. You are one of a million cattle herded in and out of those crapholes. This history can easily be rewritten. And you sure as hell won’t talk to anyone there, cause everyone else is just as annoyed, alienated and lost as you are. And, as you get trapped in that endless parking lot it really seals the deal. I have precious memories of my favorite shops and so do many of my best friends. That’s shared history man. And buying my first Velvet Underground record or Love’s “Forever Changes” , or seeing my first “punk show” flyer, takes that whole experience deep into you. That lasts forever. That’s powerful stuff.”
Even if you’ve already seen your first “punk show flyer,” this is a great idea, so let’s all make it work. I know that Hype and Elbows kill, but go buy some independent (or even better, UNSIGNED) merchandise. I’ll see you there!
