As we inch closer to Record Store Day we're directing our attention to the wonderful independent storefronts participating in this weekend's revered event. In recent years the indie-moniker has been thrown around so much that it's almost diluted the meaning of the word. Luckily RSD helps us revel in the independent spirit with loads of exclusive material, in-store performances and limited releases available only at your friendly-neighborhood-music-purveyors.
For added clarity, the official website defines a RSD participating store as a:
Stand alone brick and mortar retailer whose main primary business focuses on a physical store location, whose product line consists of at least 50 percent music retail, whose company is not publicly traded and whose ownership is at least 70 percent located in the state of operation.
Here's a look at what some of the Valley shops have planned for you this year.
Ghost of Eastside Records (29 W. SOUTHERN, Tempe) A lot of fine folks lost their collective shit when the beloved record shop was reborn as the pop-up-stand store it is today. The impending summer heat will also likely mark the closing of the doors, but in the meantime Michael Pawlicki and company will be celebrating RSD with three essential B's: Bands, BBQ and booze.
Starting at 4:15 p.m. expect live performances by Sunn Trio, Garage Shock, Sleep Money, Man Hands, Mangled Men, Simians, Lovin Vein, Dez Vibes and Otro Mundo.
Hoodlums Music and Movies (6434 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe) The Hoodlums crew has all of the RSD exclusives stocked and ready to go but have also compiled their own list of special titles that identifies "what's special" about the releases. You'll want to take advantage of the stores 9 a.m. opening if you want to grab one of the limited releases of the Adrian Younge Vs. Adrian Quesada collaboration as well as All Out War's Assassins In The House Of God. Only 400 pressings of each will be available.
Revolver Records (918 N. 2nd St., Phoenix) "We should have 90 percent of the stuff on this list in varying quantities. Ogle it, google some, if you like. There's over 325 titles on this list. There's probably a few I'm forgetting too, so make sure to get here early on April 21," TJ over at Revolver says on Facebook. They've even managed to secure some UK only RSD releases.
And while you're thumbing through all that vinyl, listen up for live music by Monophonic Hillside, Make My Baby, Tobie Milford, The Love Me Nots, Button Struggler, The Tounge, Desert Vibrations, JJCnV, and Djentrification.
Stinkweeds (12 W. Camelback, Phoenix) The Valley's venerable independent music cache is celebrating their 25th Anniversary and RSD with free BBQ grub, on-site screen printing courtesy of Tumble Tees, and a gang load of special offers and free giveaways to the first customers of the day. The doors open at 9 a.m. and the music kicks off at noon with Dylan Pratt, followed by Mergence, Colorstore, Source Victoria, The Love Me Nots, Kingfathand and Tobie Milford.
"Remember, the point of this day is to bring the community of music lovers together for one special day. It's more than just buying records, it's about nurturing a culture and supporting the record stores that still exist the world over," the Stinkweeds crew says on their Facebook event page.
Zia Record Exchange (various Valley locations) In addition to the numerous RSD releases, Zia is celebrating the day with the unveiling of their own exclusive cut; You Heard Us Back When, Volume 6. The double-disc compilation album features 37 tracks by local artists from Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas.
The four locations spread out across the Valley will feature live music by Labor Party, Sam Means and the ASU Pitchforks, Gospel Claws, The Furnace, The Love Me Nots, The Swamp Coolers, Six Sided Halo and Safe To Semi. You can see who's playing where and at what time here.
They've also got plenty of deals going on storewide such as the $5 Zia Records Super Pack. It includes a Zia T-shirt, Zia Pint Glass, and Zia Local Compilation.
Lastly don't forget to hit up Rockzone Records and Tracks in Wax if you get scooped at any of the other locations.
Happy hunting!
