Pitchfork's Guide to Record Store Day
Tomorrow, April 19, music lovers from Memphis to Melbourne will unite to celebrate a vital global institution: the independent record retailer. Yes, this Saturday marks the inaugural Record Store Day, and with it comes all manner of free swag, contests, red hot exclusive releases, in-store performances, DJ sets, signings, meet-and-greets, and other assorted hoopla.
With so many goodies and so much going down at spots around the world, it may be tricky getting a handle on just what you can expect tomorrow. Keeping that in mind, Pitchfork has assembled a little Record Store Day highlight reel. Read on, friends, and start gathering that allowance/beer/trust fund money. You're going to be buying some records tomorrow! (And, we sure hope, buying records many other days this year too.)
The list of participating stores can be found here.
First, of course, there are the exclusive releases, several of which you've already read about in these pages. Stephen Malkmus and Matador will serve up the "Cold Son" 10", Vampire Weekend whipped up that "A-Punk" 7", and Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M., Built to Spill, and the Black Keys each have their offerings as well.
What's more, Merge will issue copies of a free split 7" featuring exclusive tracks from Destroyer and Wye Oak to participating stores, and Beggars will also make available a Breeders 7", three Teenagers 7"s, and a special 12" version of that Four Songs by Arthur Russell tribute, featuring Jens Lekman and more.
The Record Store Day faithful can also enter to win a copy of Tompkins Square Records' People Take Warning! box set, autographed by Tom Waits!
And then there are a few events that bear mentioning right up front: You already know about Menomena's foosball challenge at Jackpot Records in Portland and Björk's "Wanderlust" 3-D video screenings at spots all over. Topping even those, perhaps, is Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, who will "paint in her underwear" at one of Cambridge, Massachusetts' Newbury Comics locations, according to a Record Store Day press release. Oh lordy!
Next up, heaps of live performances:
* Built to Spill's Doug Martsch and Brett Netson at the Record Exchange in Boise, Idaho.
* Jason Molina, Lykke Li, Billy Bragg at Rough Trade East in London.
* The Kills at Piccadilly Records in Manchester, England.
* The Black Angels, the Baptist Generals, Robert Gomez, and John Congleton of the Paper Chase at Good Records in Dallas.
* Regina Spektor (performance and signing) at Sound Fix in Brooklyn.
* Nada Surf at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey.
* Home Blitz, Brian Ashby of the Teeth, and members of the Spinto Band at a.k.a. music in Philadelphia.
* Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Duke Spirit at CD Central in Lexington, Kentucky.
* Aquaduct and recent Hardly Art signings the Dutchess & the Duke and the Moondoggies at Sonic Boom locations in Seattle.
* Rogue Wave (acoustic performance) at Reckless Records' Milwaukee Ave. location in Chicago.
* The Cave Singers at CD World in Eugene, Oregon.
* Neva Dinova at Homer's Old Market location in Omaha.
* Sybris at Record Breakers in Chicago.
* Rob Swift, Marco Polo at Fat Beats in New York.
* Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter at Easy Street Records in Seattle.
* Collections of Colonies of Bees at Atomic Records in Milwaukee.
* Kate Nash at Main Street Music in Philadelphia.
* Grand Ole Party at Permanent Records in Chicago.
* Janelle Monae, the Coathangers, and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra at Criminal Records in Atlanta.
And then we have some DJ sets:
* Sam Fogarino of Interpol/Magnetic Morning, and members of Grizzly Bear, Deerhunter, the Black Keys, Tapes 'n Tapes, and Dead Meadow at Other Music in New York City.
* The New Pornographers' John Collins at Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis.
* Times New Viking's Adam Elliot at Used Kids Records in Columbus, Ohio.
* Daniel Ash and David J of Bauhaus/Love and Rockets, Peanut Butter Wolf, and the Donnas at Amoeba Music locations in California.
* Rob Crow (Pinback, Goblin Cock, etc.) at Lou's Records in Encinitas, California.
* Flying Lotus, Warp Records DJs at Rough Trade East in London.
* Long Winters' John Roderick at Sonic Boom's Capitol Hill location in Seattle.
* In addition to challenging Jackpot Records patrons to foosball, Menomena will also DJ at the Portland retailer's downtown location.
And finally, a few signings and miscellany:
* Will Oldham, Silver Jews' David Berman, Lambchop's Kurt Wagner, James Jackson Toth (f.k.a. Wooden Wand), and more will do meet-and-greets at Grimey's in Nashville.
* Lupe Fiasco and Metallica will sign stuff at Rasputin Music locations in the Bay Area.
* Jello Biafra will recommend records to customers at Amoeba Music's San Francisco location.
* Jon Langford of the Mekons will be a "special employee" at Laurie's Planet of Sound in Chicago.
* Zaireeka listening party (bring a stereo!) at Permanent Records in Chicago.
Find more events on the Record Store Day website, and check out the complete (and very, very long) list of participating stores here.
Ma and pa record dealers, here's to you!
Recent News
Most Read News
- The Pitchfork Guide to Summer Festivals 2008
- The Pitchfork Guide to Upcoming Releases: Summer '08
- My Bloody Valentine Lead Unfuckingbelievable Lineup for New York All Tomorrow's Parties Fest
- Is This Really the New Weezer Album Cover?
- Dear God, Please Let This Be the Lil Wayne Album Cover
- My Bloody Valentine Announce North American Tour!
- Tom Waits Reveals "Glitter and Doom" Tour
- Sigur Ros Line Up Summer Tour Dates
- Coldplay Reveal Viva la Vida Tracklist
- Sigur Rós Announce Full North American Tour
- Photos: Bonnaroo [Saturday]
- Wolf Parade March Out New LP Tracklist
- Photos: Sasquatch! Festival [Monday] (NSFW)
- Beck Announces Summer Tour
- Wolf Parade Announce Summer Tour
- Sonic Youth Reveal Starbucks Hits Comp Details
- Photos: Bonnaroo [Thursday/Friday]
- Sigur Ros Sneak Peeks of New Album, Expand Tour
- Pitchfork's Guide to Record Store Day
- Radiohead, Live Nation Respond to Virginia Washout
- Peter Hook Talks New Order Split, DVD, Joy Division
- Ian Curtis' Gravestone Stolen
- Was Bonnaroo Really M.I.A.'s "Last Gig Ever"?
- Tom Waits Extends "Glitter and Doom" Tour
- Pitchfork Festival: Set Times Revealed! Tix Going Fast!
- The New Mogwai Album Tracklist Is Amazing
- Wolf Parade Join the 2008 Cover Art Hall of Fame
- The Conor Oberst Album Cover Is Dreamy
- Built to Spill Reveal Full-Blown Perfect Tour
- Crystal Castles Caught Up in Artwork Controversy
- Photos: Radiohead [West Palm Beach, FL; 05/05/08]
- Girl Talk's Feed the Animals Available Now!
- Radiohead Use Fancy Technology in Camera-Free Video
- The New Mogwai Album Cover Is Disappointing
- My Morning Jacket Announce Lengthy American Tour
- Weezer Reveal "Red Album" Tracklist, Bonus Cuts
- The National Design T-Shirt for Obama
- Arcade Fire Scoring Donnie Darko Dude's New Movie
- Josh Homme Defends Himself: "Homophobic? I'm in Queens of the Stone Age for Crissake"
- Radiohead, Prince at Odds Over Blocked YouTube Vids
- Radiohead to Go "Green" on "Conan O'Brien"
- Feist Does "1234" on "Sesame Street", Adds Dates
- Radiohead, Interpol, Pornos Fete Independents Day
- R. Kelly Not Guilty!!!!
- Crystal Castles Respond to Chip Music Controversy
- Kanye West Responds to Bonnaroo Haters
- Wanna Open for Coldplay?
- Sub Pop Announces 20th Anniversary Bash
- Bob Dylan Big Ups Barack Obama
- OiNK Users Apparently Arrested by British Police