record store day

empty mirror

remember the jackalope
the pokemonization of the record industry!

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paolo

Mechanical phantoms
There certainly seems to be a bit of a backlash

Co-owner Jason Brunton said: "We're doing a small protest - Record Store Day causes havoc for the pressing plants and distributors.

"In the last three years in particular, Record Store Day has turned into the worst elements of collecting. Last year we had over 200 hundred people phone the shop, wanting seven inch Kate Bush picture discs."

"I see it as major labels taking tracks that already available and making collector's items out of them - and Record Store Day isn't about that.

"Within the EU there are two or three pressing plants that are booked three months in advance around Record Store Day, we're feeling the effects of that in particular.

"You can't get anything done. If you want something printed in March, April or May you're gubbed, and that can ruin a small label if you've booked publicity or promos and your record isn't out.

http://glasgow.stv.tv/articles/3170...ependent-labels-suffer-from-record-store-day/
 

Woebot

Well-known member
because it's like charity isn't it. if i owned a record store i would refuse to have anything to do with it. i would shut the shop for the day and put a big poster in the window which said FUCK YOU.
 

DannyL

Wild Horses
Though - I've read several comments from record store owners that they actually clean up, in some cases doing several week's worth of business in one day. So, it actually does what it says on the tin, and works for those it's intended to. It fucks pressing plants and 95% of the releases don't need to exist but still.....
 

rubberdingyrapids

Well-known member
i can see why some shop owners might be pissed off, but on the other hand, its not like theyre doing a roaring trade all year round. i think its fine for them to half hate it, half thank it for sending them new customers. and say what you want about it (RSD prob does need to have a rethink about its criteria), but it probably can claim some responsibility for the recent spikes in vinyl popularity (even if those spikes are more like tiny little pricks, but significant pricks all the same).
 

matt b

Indexing all opinion
Some Independent record shops have been saying (based on an article I read via Twitter) that no-one buys records in the run up to RSD, so they lose their regular income stream for a month.

They then feel compelled to gamble on potentially high selling RSD stock in order to make up the difference. This benefits the big independents because they can get a lot of stock in.

Phil at Norman Records has said that it was a case of getting involved in RSD or losing a member of staff.
 

trza

Well-known member
I will confess, I went to a couple stores on RSD. I was on vacation, and I had one shop I wanted to visit that was closed on Sunday. I knew there was another one in the neighborhood that hadn't posted its hours online, so I went on Saturday to make sure I could get to both. There weren't many people at either store, neither one had any new records or exclusives, and I spent about forty bucks.
 

Leo

Well-known member
does anyone go to these? I know there are lines outside stores, so yes people do go but no one I know who's really into music. over here, it's more the "collectors" who need to have that kinks reissue on blue vinyl or whatever. I think I tried to go to the first one but didn't bother when I saw the line, then later realized I really had no interest in any of the exclusive stuff. good for the record stores, since they (hopefully) make money but not for me. plus, I'm a cheap bastard and really only love crate digging when it involves a box of old $1-3 12-inch singles (basically all the craner 100).
 
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blissblogger

Well-known member
does anyone go to these?

never have, never will.

but the reason has changed

- used to be "i don't participate in Record Store Day because every day is Record Store Day as far as i'm concerned"

- nowadays it's "i don't participate in Record Store Day because no day is Record Store Day"

slight exaggeration - once in a blue moon will step into one, almost always leave without buying anything - but overall it is sad but true; the internet done closed down that avenue of enjoyment permanently.
 

john eden

male pale and stale
I think some people like the busyness of it - some shops seem to have a decent in store DJ line up. If you’re up for that you can probably have a good time without buying overpriced records.

There used to be that hectic crowded vibe in some dance and reggae shops but I’ve not really experienced that since the 90s.

Increasingly “records” and what I like about music seem like different things.
 

martin

----
Probably started off as a good idea, but what I don't get is 1) how did people NOT foresee 'speculators' scooping up copies to sell for stupid money online? 2) I could see the point if someone issued some exclusive, vinyl-only/record store-only NEW release on the day (I guess some do), but you're mostlyt looking at albums you can get for a few quid on CD being reissued as a four-7" box set, or on 'highest-quality 180grm' vinyl (Trout Mask Replica is one of yesterday's offerings, FFS!)

Reminds me of those industrial estate operations in the '90s that would churn out cheapo compilations (reggae, Ibiza hits, etc) with much of the same content, repackaged.

Apparently Crass had a free flexi available yesterday. Can't wait to see that one hit Discogs.

I bought one RSD release a couple of years ago, but that was a year after it came out, and in a shop in Tokyo. Also been to an RSD IN Tokyo but couldn't even move around the store, so gave up. Remember an unsold rack full of represses of Lee Perry's Disco Devil 12" (probably with download codes and on 180grm vinyl)

The irony about Rough Trade - go to all the hassle of pressing your own vinyl as a complete 'outsider' artist and approach a record shop like Rough Trade East on any other day of the year, and you'll be treated like you've got the plague.
 

Leo

Well-known member
have admit I still enjoy time in record stores, what few of them are left. don't do it often, maybe it's nostalgia, and I certainly buy much less than back the day (aforementioned cheapness), but I will still once awhile be in a store and get turned on to something new that they are playing in-store, that makes it worth it. when in London, I still like spending an hour or so in soho for sounds of the universe and phonica, or up to honest Jon's.
 

IdleRich

IdleRich
I'm sure they foresaw it (and they must have "afterseen" it) they just don't care. My fb feed yesterday was filled up by people either a) celebrating or b) slagging off record store day (record shop owners in both groups if it matters). I just don't really care about it, I was in town but although I bought some books I didn't go into any record shops. I'd hardly call it the worst thing ever though, it simply doesn't affect me, I think some shops have figured out how to make money or whatever from it so fair enough. I'll buy my records another day.
 

Leo

Well-known member
yeah, agree, never even crosses my mind to go and in fact will actively avoid the stores if I do remember it's on that day. a big part of it is content: I'm not a collector and (almost) never buy new vinyl albums, so simply not interested in the typical RSD exclusive.

it is funny, though, to see photos of 50-100 people in line waiting to get in to a store, who are these people and why on earth would they do that. as eden mentioned, some stores have famous DJs spinning so maybe that's a draw but still.
 

luka

Well-known member
I've said it before I know but record shops really disgust me nowadays. Particularly second hand ones. Dirty smelly unhygienic places. Frumpy. Gross. Amazing to think they used to be 'cool'
 
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