Record Store Day was created 5 years ago to help balance all of the negative press that record stores have gotten lately. In Louisville, we are all familiar with the trials and tribulations records stores have gone through in recent years since we have had a front row seat in watching the demise of ear X-tacy. Record store owners across the country wanted to join together and create some positive press. According to their website, “this is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music.”
Artists have also embraced the idea and fans have now come to expect special releases from their favorite artists on Record Store Day that are only available in a real life store. This year, everyone from Aretha Franklin & Otis Redding to Coldplay to Fun. to Pete Townsend will be included. You can browse the complete list on the Record Store Day homepage.
This event also provides the remaining record stores in Louisville a chance to shine and let the community know that they are more than happy to serve the displaced ear X-tacy shoppers. The official date of RSD 2012 is Saturday April 21st, but Please & Thank you is jump starting the festivities! They are start things off with a pre-party on Friday night including an in-store performance by Bro. Stephen and Whistle Peak beginning at 10pm. At midnight, they will start selling the special Record Store Day vinyls that they have. Underground Sounds is definitely making the most of the party-like atmosphere that many stores embrace on this fun day. They are blocking off the street and will have FREE live performances all day starting at 11:30am (with the store opening at 10am). Better Days Records (502 456 2394) and The Great Escape are also participating and you can check with them about what specials they will have in their stores.
Photo: recordstoreday.com
