It’s April 20 and I am a deep sea diver. Instead of exploring the ocean for coins, I’m scouring an endless tangle of milk crates and dust-caked paper for a perfect find. I’m not blazed, but I am blazing a new trail at the sweet speed of 33 1/3 RPM. After all, it’s Record Store Day, an audiophile’s second Christmas.
On every third Saturday in April since 2007, the event has brought together music lovers worldwide to engage in a revitalization of and conversation about a far-too-dated format. With Jack White as this year’s official RSD ambassador, the fun began with a day full of exclusive pressings — including the 10th-anniversary edition of the White Stripes’ ‘Elephant’ — in-store performances and a sense of camaraderie that can only emanate from a locally owned record shop.
Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall is home to two stores, Sidetracks and Melody Supreme, both of which had their share of unique offerings and loyal followers. Unsurprisingly, I was joined by 30 other eager buyers 45 minutes before Melody opened its doors, and showed up early enough to score a free compilation from the indielicious Sub Pop record label.
Once inside, it became something closer to a mosh pit than a music marketplace, with everyone scrambling to grab their finds, many of which were one of just 500 copies distributed across the globe. Despite this mad dash, the room was filled with kind-hearted middle-age collectors eager to help anyone find a particular release.
I walked away with cellophane-wrapped albums from New Found Glory, The Postal Service and a two-track split featuring the relentless hardcore bands Title Fight and Touche Amore, among other unmistakably awesome picks. The massive list of special releases also included a live box set from the Dave Matthews Band, the first vinyl edition of Linkin Park’s debut ‘Hybrid Theory,’ and a special white-colored pressing of Notorious B.I.G.‘s ‘Ready to Die.’ While Big Boi tore it up as a part of the University’s SpringFest on the same day, the in-store acoustic sets from Sons of Bill and The Anatomy of Frank at Sidetracks gave the day an extra layer of awesome. Nationwide, storegoers even saw the likes of Paramore, Wavves and Jimmy Eat World.
I saw at least five people proudly donning T-shirts that urged everyone to “support [their] local record store.” Even if a turntable isn’t in your bedroom, they’re definitely worth checking out. Record Store Day, despite all the hype and attention, can occur 365 days a year. Take it for a spin.
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