If you're a music lover (which is quite likely if you're reading this), you know the once-cherished pastime of hanging out in a record store and flipping through stuff to see what's new and make a new discovery, has almost completely disappeared from modern life.
Only ten years later, this scene from 1998's High Fidelity, with cassette tapes, smoking indoors and aisles of LPs, is looking as dated as a film depicting roller derby or travel by blimp.
That is why you need to support Record Store Day, which is tomorrow, Saturday April 18. Many independent record retailers are offering special promos and giveaways, so shop early and shop often.
Chances are there's a record store in your neighborhood that's participating. Visit recordstoreday.com to find out.
Go in, buy something on a whim. Remember? You used to do it all the time. Take it home and crank it up. Whether it's Fleet Foxes, Frank Zappa or Frank Sinatra, get yourself or a friend the gift that keeps on giving.
Personally, I've got my eye on the new Wilco concert DVD Ashes of American Flags. Buy it on Record Store Day and you'll also receive a free download of one of the shows featured in the film.
I'd be shopping early and often, if it weren't for my status as a soccer dad. I was in L.A. a month ago and was completely bummed out by the virtual disappearance of pretty much every record store. Rhino, Aaron's, Penny Lane (I think). I was please to find Record Surplus on Pico still pumping away (though it kinda sucked), and the I finally made my way to Amoeba on Sunset. It was like finding my Mecca. Best record store on the planet. I dropped a clipfull of cash and closed the place at 11pm. I was in record heaven. Every so often I say a little prayer that it'll be there next time I head west....
ReplyDeleteI don't generally bemoan technological advancements, and the side effects they often bring, but the loss of the record store experience genuinely saddens me.
My faves were Record World, TSS (Times Square Stores, Crazy Eddie, and a few other local shops like Slipped Disc and Bleeker Bob's. Nowadays I only know of one local shop, but its a good one CD Island in Rockville Centre.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that it takes such an effort to even find record stores, much less have to designate a day to celebrate them.
That said, I do find it easier that my collection is almost totally digital at this point.
And I was able to support it! Snuck away from the family life and hit Tunes in Hoboken. And to "Actual Monkey", I used to work at Record World in the Stamford Towne Center!
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