Record Store Day 2010

We hang out at our favorite independent stores around the country on April 17

By Nicole Sheikh, Laura Marie Braun, Amanda Stovall, Jennifer Pappas & Alison Baitz
Published: April 17th, 2010 | 8:00pm

It’s easy to look at the line outside of music shops on Record Store Day and think that it is just a gathering of pretentious vinyl snobs—but when you really stop to think about it, the community feel is really kind of beautiful. In a time where mom and pop businesses are constantly closing their doors and the music industry is still adapting to digital revolution, it is actually very refreshing, touching even, that so many people would come out to pay homage to the place where lifelong love affairs with albums and artists begin—the independent record store.

Reckless Records, Chicago

At the downtown location of Chicago’s Reckless Records, there was an obvious embrace of all genres encapsulated by a melodic set from Love of Everything, who was celebrating the release of their new album, Best In Tentions (Polyvinyl). They were followed by the head-banging ruckus from metal duo Plague Bringer, who had an exclusive release for Record Store Day. The unlikely pairing played to a large crowd packed into the tiny insta-venue, as people continued to shop around them. What made this in-store event so different was not the vast opposites of the bands, but the mere fact that the fans in the store were there to cheer on this store and independent record stores everywhere. (Laura Marie Braun)

End of an Ear/Waterloo Records, Austin

Last week I heard a friend lament that, when she has kids, the only way they will be able to learn about the music of their parents will be to scroll through a digital archive of track listings. This forecast feels sterile in comparison to the joy she felt as a teenager, when she discovered her dad’s extensive collection of vintage albums with colorful cases, enticing photographs, and the tactile satisfaction of a real, vinyl record. Her worries are not unshared, and three years ago, Record Store Day was founded to promote and spread the love of collecting vinyl.

Dan Plunkett, co-owner of Austin’s End of an Ear, said the founders of the day decided, “let’s give some free goods, promotional items, and limited edition stuff to get people in the store…and we were shocked the first year that so many people came out.” The third year is no exception. Both End of an Ear and nearby Waterloo Records were packed with music enthusiasts who filled aisles to flip through vintage and new vinyl as their heads bobbed to the live bands playing in store, like Rainbows are Free and Bassekou Kouyate with his band Ngoni Ba from Mali. If the rest of the U.S. is anything like Austin, it wouldn’t appear that non-digital music isn't going anywhere, as Plunkett echoed the sentiments of the eclectic crowds flowing in and out of his store. "My favorite thing is still collecting records, for 35 years, and constantly discovering bands I’ve never heard of.” (Amanda Stovall)

Generation Records, New York City

The 17-year-old West Village music establishment Generation Records made their Record Store Day event as varied and jam-packed as possible. Their downstairs stage backed up to a display of records from the likes of Lesley Gore and James Brown, while the audience was cut in half by two rows of used vinyl. Shoppers continued to passionately browse music as Cymbals Eat Guitars, Black Wine, and Budos Band—who somehow managed to fit their enormous line-up on the stage—delivered weighty and infectious sounds.

Musician-turned-motivational-speaker Andrew W.K. stopped by to engage in a spirited DJ set, complete with a store-wide rendition of "Happy Birthday" for one lucky shopper. Members of both Cymbals Eat Guitars and Budos Band encouraged the audience to celebrate RSD with purchases, and judging by the looks of all the red Generation Records bags in visitor hands, people listened. (Alison Baitz)

Amoeba Records, San Francisco

The San Francisco location of Amoeba Records (on legendary Haight Street) was a-buzz Saturday with a steady stream of shoppers flooding the store. Those smart enough to shake off their hangovers and roll through by noon caught French singer, songwriter, and actress Charlotte Gainsbourg at a limited signing of her much talked about new album IRM (Elektra), which was co-written and produced by Beck.

The main in-store appearance of the day, however, was by Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi, who played a short, five-song acoustic set in support of his new solo-album Go (XL). Fans crowded the aisles, enthusiastically singing and clapping along to the beautiful ambient arrangements and shouting their praise in-between songs—“Jónsi, we love you!” After his set, the true diehard fans pushed their way to the front of the stage and lined up for a chance to have Jónsi and his band sign their newly-purchased copies of the record. Those who were able to cop a signature on their 12-inches emerged from exit aisles with wide grins and glowing faces. All in attendance could feel the inherent joy as enthusiastic shoppers carted baskets filled with good old 7- and 12-inch vinyl, random strangers stopped each other to compare the items in their baskets and talked excitedly about their finds. Indeed, the true spirit of Record Store Day was alive at Amoeba. (Nicole Sheikh)

Origami Vinyl, Los Angeles

In honor of Record Store Day, L.A.'s Origami Vinyl opened its doors at an unprecedented 10 a.m. Two hours later, people were spilling out the door onto the sidewalk. Festivities kicked off with a few trivia-infused giveaways that included tickets to see Les Savy Fav, a very limited edition of the Black Keys & Devo releases, and a slew of 7” records. The packed crowd rifled through stacks of records, sipped on tall cans of Colt 45 and salt-rimmed margaritas (all free!), and talked excitedly amongst their friends while waiting for the first band to take the stage.

Though the Dum Dum Girls called in to cancel at the last minute, spirits didn’t diminish. Male Bonding opened instead and performed high above the crowd on Origami’s loft stage, filling the small store with a barrage of frenetic rock anthems. The One AM Radio followed with a beautiful set while also celebrating the release of their new limited-edition 7”, Credible Threats. The store enjoyed a heavy flow of both vinyl vultures and music lovers the entire day as events and giveaways continued long into the night, wrapping up a successful Record Store Day in 2010. (Jennifer Pappas)